The top reported proficiency rate is 39% in English language arts. The lowest is 9% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on School #17
School #17 is a regular public elementary school in Clifton, New Jersey, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of the Clifton Public School District. The school is located on Lexington Avenue in the city's 07011 ZIP code.
Clifton itself is a dense suburb and regional commercial hub roughly fifteen miles west of Midtown Manhattan, crisscrossed by major highways including Routes 3, 46, 19, and 21, as well as the Garden State Parkway. It functions as both a bedroom community for New York City commuters and a commercial center, with distinct neighborhoods ranging from residential areas like Richfield and Rosemawr to business districts like Main Mall and Allwood. The city has two NJ Transit train stations, at Delawanna and Athenia, providing rail access. Clifton's population grew steadily over recent decades, though the most recent estimate suggests a slight decline from the 2020 census figure. The city turned a notable age in a recent year, having been incorporated in the late nineteenth century. Historically an agricultural hub, Clifton was once home to the U.S. Animal Quarantine Station, the primary East Coast facility for imported animals until the late 1970s.
School #17 is a regular public elementary school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The school's enrollment is moderate for an elementary school serving this grade band. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a much smaller share of white students and very small shares of Asian, Black, and multiracial students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that the school serves a community with significant economic need. Data on the share of students with individualized education plans and English learner status was not available in the source data.
On state assessments, School #17's results show a pattern that parents will want to examine closely. In English language arts, the share of students scoring proficient or above was highest in third grade, then dropped in fourth grade before rising again in fifth grade. In math, the pattern was similar, with third grade showing the highest proficiency rate, followed by a decline in fourth and fifth grades. Science results for fifth grade were notably low. Overall, the school's combined proficiency index across tested subjects and grades sits below the midpoint when compared to other districts in Passaic County. A parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand the instructional approach and any support programs in place.
Because School #17 serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report. The school does not offer high school programs such as Advanced Placement, career pathways, or dual-credit courses, as those are not part of an elementary school's scope.
The housing market in the area around the school reflects the broader Passaic County context. Home values in the ZIP code are above the national benchmark but below the state benchmark. Rents are at a level that, when compared to estimated monthly mortgage costs, suggest that buying may be more expensive than renting in the current market. The county's housing market shows a moderate number of active listings, with median days on market relatively low, indicating that homes are selling fairly quickly. The median listing price per square foot is moderate. The supply score is high, while the demand score is lower, suggesting a market that is more favorable to buyers than sellers at the moment.
The district brief did not surface any recent major changes such as referendums, curriculum shifts, or property tax developments that would be of immediate note to parents. The search for district-level news turned up general demographic and financial data but no specific recent events.
For a family considering School #17, the picture is one of a neighborhood elementary school in a dense, highway-connected suburb with a significant share of students from low-income households. Academic proficiency on state tests is an area where the school falls below the county midpoint, and the science results in particular are a soft spot. The school's grade span means that students will move on to a middle school within the Clifton district after fifth grade, so the elementary experience is one segment of a longer pathway. The housing market in the area is active, with homes selling relatively quickly and prices that are moderate by state standards but above the national average. The district brief did not surface any recent major changes, so parents may want to contact the school or district directly for information about current initiatives, curriculum, and support programs.
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