Clifton Middle

Clifton Middle in Clifton, TX, serves 235 students in grades 6-8 within the Clifton Independent School District (Isd), a district ranked in the top third of Texas, and is located in a community where over half of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Clifton Middle is a school on a strong upward trajectory, recently earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the top 22% of Texas middle schools—a significant jump from previous years. This improvement is especially notable when compared to the nearby Valley Mills J H, which has seen a downward trend and now ranks in the 44th percentile. Clifton Middle outperforms Valley Mills in nearly every subject, including reading, math, and social studies. For example, 8th-grade social studies proficiency at Clifton is 45.5% compared to just 18.0% at Valley Mills. The school also excels in advanced math, with a near-perfect 90.9% proficiency rate in Algebra I, roughly double the state average. With a low student-to-teacher ratio of 11.7:1, students benefit from more individualized attention.

A standout strength is the school’s commitment to equity, ranking in the 76th percentile for serving students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. However, there are critical areas for growth. The school’s performance with Special Education students ranks in the bottom 15% of the state, and English Language Learner students also face challenges, consistently ranking in the bottom third. Additionally, 8th-grade science scores have fallen below the state average in recent years. While Clifton Middle shows a clear capacity for improvement and a strong foundation, addressing these gaps will be key to achieving comprehensive excellence for all students.