The top reported proficiency rate is 49% in English language arts. The lowest is 40% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Midlakes Middle/high School
Midlakes Middle/High School in Clifton Springs is a small combined facility serving grades seven through twelve with an enrollment spread evenly across all six grades. It sits on a rural campus outside the village center, part of the Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School District, which also draws students from Phelps and adjacent towns.
The student body is predominantly white, with modest representation from Hispanic students and smaller counts from other groups. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The school's grade composition is relatively balanced, with between about one hundred and one hundred thirty students per grade level.
In state testing, Midlakes shows uneven performance across subjects and grade levels. Seventh grade math proficiency is in the mid-range, hovering near the school year's stronger results, while eighth grade math proficiency drops significantly to a weaker level. Seventh grade ELA proficiency sits around mid-range, and eighth grade ELA proficiency is similar. Eighth grade science proficiency is lower still. When these results are averaged across all tested subjects and grades, the school's overall proficiency index places it below the midpoint among the nine districts in Ontario County. A parent may want to ask the school directly about strategies underway to strengthen performance, particularly in eighth grade mathematics and science where the numbers dip notably.
Participation rates in state testing vary by grade and subject, with some grades and subjects showing lower test participation than others. Eighth grade in particular shows participation rates in the mid-range across both mathematics and science, which may reflect student absences on test days or other factors worth understanding directly from the school.
The district approved a substantial capital improvement project in December 2024 that includes roof work, HVAC upgrades, and construction of a new turf field, all structured with no new tax burden to households. All students receive free breakfast and lunch through the federal Community Eligibility Provision, a benefit that reduces costs for families. The district also recently received its full state Foundation Aid allocation for the first time in decades, which has allowed it to keep annual tax increases modest.
The school offers several arts and music pathways including band, choir, music, and theater, along with yearbook as a student activity. Information on additional course offerings, AP access, or career pathways was not available from the data provided, so a parent interested in course breadth or dual-credit options may want to check the school website or contact the school directly. Staffing details and chronic absenteeism data were not in the data set.
Clifton Springs itself is a small historic Finger Lakes village with an older housing stock, walkable downtown with retail and dining along Main Street, and a strong tie to its sulfur spring heritage. The local economy centers on Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic and G.W. Lisk Company, a manufacturing firm, alongside the school district as a major employer. Housing values in the area sit modestly below the state median, making it a more affordable market for the region. The school sits apart from the village center on a rural campus but is integral to the community's economic and civic life.
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