Cliffside Elementary School (Ranked Top 20% for 2025-26)

4016 Us Hwy 221-a
Cliffside, NC 28024

( shown in map)

Top 20%

Serving 196 students in grades Kindergarten-5, Cliffside Elementary School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).

The percentage of students achieving is 70-74% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving is 60-64% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 50%).

The student-teacher ratio of 14:1 is lower than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.

Minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 57% (majority Black).

Quick Facts (2025-26)

Grades: Kindergarten-5
Enrollment: 196 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
Minority Enrollment: 25%
: Top 20% in NC
: 70-74% (Top 20%)
: 60-64% (Top 30%)
: 80-89% (Top 10%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Cliffside Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:

School Overview

Cliffside Elementary School's student population of 196 students has declined by 28% over five school years.

The teacher population of 14 teachers has declined by 22% over five school years.

Grades Offered

Grades Kindergarten-5
(No virtual instruction)

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Cliffside Elementary School
Kind	28
1	32
2	21
3	49
4	25
5	41

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Total Students

196 students

View Data

Total Students Trends Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	Cliffside Elementary School
2023	213
2022	208
2021	220
2020	273
2019	273
2018	302
2017	302
2016	314
2015	319
2014	355
2013	378
2012	386
2011	395
2010	409
2009	424
2008	451
2007	474
2006	483
2005	477
2004	459
2003	464
2002	471
2001	442
2000	443
1999	424
1998	448
1997	421
1996	350
1995	353
1994	324
1993	336
1992	318
1991	318
1990	300
1989	297
1988	302
1987	279

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Gender %

Total Classroom Teachers

14 teachers

View Data

Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (1990-2023)
Year	Cliffside Elementary School
2023	17
2022	17
2021	16
2020	18
2019	18
2018	19
2017	19
2016	21
2015	22
2014	23
2013	24
2012	24
2011	25
2010	24
2009	27
2008	27
2006	24
2005	24
2004	24
2003	24
2002	24
2001	24
2000	24
1999	24
1998	24
1997	21
1996	19
1995	17
1994	18
1993	17
1992	16
1991	16
1990	16

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Year Founded

1920

School Calendar

Last Day of School

Mon. May 25, 2026

School Mascot

Eagles

School Rankings

Cliffside Elementary School ranks within the top 20% of all 2,617 schools in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).

The of Cliffside Elementary School is 0.41, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School

State Level (NC)

#420 out of 2617 schools
(Top 20%)

View Data

Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	Cliffside Elementary School
2023	#420
2022	#420
2021	#910
2019	#658
2018	#711
2017	#1117
2016	#875
2015	#436
2014	#958
2013	#932
2012	#1139

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(21-22)

70-74%

51%

View Data

Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	Cliffside Elementary School	North Carolina	Rutherford County Schools
2022	72%	51%	53%
2021	52%	42%	43%
2019	52%	42%	44%
2018	62%	48%	44%
2017	52%	47%	46%
2016	62%	47%	44%
2015	62%	44%	39%
2014	52%	43%	37%
2013	48%	42%	35%
2012	87%	82%	81%
2011	86%	82%	82%

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60-64%

50%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	Cliffside Elementary School	North Carolina	Rutherford County Schools
2022	62%	50%	51%
2021	47%	47%	44%
2019	52%	46%	46%
2018	42%	47%	44%
2017	42%	46%	44%
2016	42%	47%	44%
2015	57%	46%	44%
2014	42%	46%	43%
2013	44%	45%	41%
2012	70%	73%	72%
2011	70%	70%	69%

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80-89%

63%

View Data

Science Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2021-2022)
Year	Cliffside Elementary School	North Carolina	Rutherford County Schools
2022	84%	63%	66%
2021	64%	61%	61%

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Student-Teacher Ratio

14:1

15:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (1990-2023)
Year	Cliffside Elementary School	North Carolina	Rutherford County Schools
2023	13:1	15:1	14:1
2022	12:1	14:1	14:1
2021	14:1	14:1	15:1
2020	15:1	15:1	15:1
2019	15:1	15:1	15:1
2018	16:1	16:1	16:1
2017	16:1	15:1	16:1
2016	15:1	16:1	16:1
2015	15:1	16:1	16:1
2014	15:1	15:1	16:1
2013	16:1	15:1	16:1
2012	16:1	15:1	17:1
2011	16:1	15:1	16:1
2010	17:1	15:1	16:1
2009	16:1	15:1	15:1
2008	17:1	15:1	15:1
2006	20:1	14:1	15:1
2005	20:1	14:1	15:1
2004	19:1	15:1	15:1
2003	19:1	15:1	15:1
2002	20:1	15:1	15:1
2001	18:1	15:1	15:1
2000	18:1	15:1	15:1
1999	18:1	15:1	15:1
1998	19:1	15:1	15:1
1997	20:1	16:1	17:1
1996	18:1	16:1	17:1
1995	21:1	16:1	17:1
1994	18:1	16:1	17:1
1993	20:1	16:1	17:1
1992	20:1	16:1	17:1
1991	20:1	16:1	17:1
1990	19:1	17:1	17:1

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American Indian

n/a

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Cliffside Elementary School	North Carolina
2023	1%	1%
2002	1%	2%
2001	1%	2%
1991	1%	2%

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Asian

n/a

Hispanic

14%

21%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Cliffside Elementary School	North Carolina	Rutherford County Schools
2023	14%	20%	11%
2022	15%	20%	11%
2021	16%	19%	10%
2020	14%	18%	9%
2019	14%	18%	9%
2018	12%	17%	8%
2017	12%	17%	8%
2016	11%	16%	7%
2015	12%	16%	7%
2014	12%	15%	7%
2013	10%	14%	6%
2012	9%	13%	6%
2011	8%	13%	6%
2010	7%	11%	5%
2009	7%	11%	5%
2008	7%	11%	5%
2007	6%	10%	5%
2006	5%	8%	4%
2005	6%	8%	4%
2004	4%	7%	3%
2003	2%	6%	3%
2002	3%	5%	2%
2001	2%	4%	3%
2000	4%	4%	2%
1999	4%	3%	2%
1998	3%	3%	1%
1997	2%	2%	1%
1996	3%	2%	1%
1995	2%	2%
1994	1%	1%
1993	1%	1%

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Black

25%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Cliffside Elementary School	North Carolina	Rutherford County Schools
2023	8%	25%	13%
2022	8%	25%	13%
2021	7%	25%	14%
2020	5%	25%	14%
2019	5%	25%	14%
2018	4%	26%	14%
2017	4%	26%	14%
2016	2%	26%	14%
2015	4%	26%	14%
2014	3%	26%	12%
2013	5%	26%	13%
2012	5%	26%	13%
2011	5%	26%	13%
2010	9%	31%	17%
2009	9%	31%	17%
2008	9%	29%	15%
2007	10%	29%	15%
2006	8%	32%	18%
2005	8%	31%	18%
2004	11%	31%	18%
2003	9%	31%	18%
2002	8%	31%	18%
2001	7%	31%	17%
2000	7%	31%	17%
1999	8%	31%	17%
1998	9%	30%	17%
1997	9%	31%	16%
1996	10%	31%	16%
1995	5%	30%	16%
1994	3%	30%	16%
1993	3%	30%	16%
1992	4%	30%	16%
1991	4%	30%	17%

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White

75%

43%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Cliffside Elementary School	North Carolina	Rutherford County Schools
2023	73%	44%	69%
2022	74%	45%	69%
2021	73%	46%	69%
2020	79%	48%	71%
2019	79%	48%	71%
2018	80%	49%	72%
2017	80%	49%	72%
2016	82%	50%	73%
2015	80%	50%	73%
2014	81%	51%	74%
2013	81%	52%	74%
2012	80%	53%	73%
2011	82%	53%	73%
2010	84%	54%	77%
2009	84%	54%	77%
2008	84%	55%	79%
2007	84%	56%	78%
2006	87%	56%	77%
2005	86%	57%	78%
2004	85%	58%	79%
2003	89%	59%	79%
2002	88%	60%	80%
2001	90%	61%	80%
2000	89%	61%	81%
1999	88%	62%	81%
1998	88%	63%	82%
1997	89%	64%	83%
1996	87%	64%	83%
1995	93%	65%	84%
1994	96%	66%	84%
1993	96%	66%	84%
1992	95%	66%	84%
1991	94%	66%	83%

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Hawaiian

n/a

Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Cliffside Elementary School	North Carolina	Rutherford County Schools
2023	4%	6%	7%
2022	3%	5%	7%
2021	4%	5%	7%
2020	2%	5%	6%
2019	2%	5%	6%
2018	4%	4%	6%
2017	4%	4%	6%
2016	5%	4%	6%
2015	4%	4%	6%
2014	4%	4%	7%
2013	4%	4%	6%

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All Ethnic Groups

0.41

0.71

View Data

Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Cliffside Elementary School	North Carolina	Rutherford County Schools
2023	0.44	0.71	0.50
2022	0.43	0.70	0.50
2021	0.44	0.69	0.50
2020	0.36	0.68	0.47
2019	0.36	0.68	0.47
2018	0.35	0.67	0.45
2017	0.35	0.67	0.45
2016	0.32	0.66	0.45
2015	0.35	0.66	0.45
2014	0.33	0.65	0.43
2013	0.33	0.65	0.44
2012	0.35	0.64	0.44
2011	0.33	0.64	0.44
2010	0.29	0.61	0.37
2009	0.29	0.61	0.37
2008	0.30	0.61	0.36
2007	0.30	0.60	0.36
2006	0.24	0.58	0.37
2005	0.25	0.58	0.36
2004	0.27	0.57	0.35
2003	0.20	0.56	0.35
2002	0.22	0.55	0.34
2001	0.19	0.53	0.33
2000	0.20	0.53	0.32
1999	0.22	0.52	0.31
1998	0.22	0.52	0.30
1997	0.20	0.50	0.30
1996	0.23	0.50	0.29
1995	0.13	0.49	0.27
1994	0.08	0.48	0.28
1993	0.08	0.48	0.28
1992	0.10	0.48	0.27
1991	0.12	0.48	0.28

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Participates in the

Yes

Eligible for

98%

68%

View Data

Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Cliffside Elementary School	North Carolina	Rutherford County Schools
2023	99%	57%	96%
2022	99%	47%	96%
2021	99%	49%	96%
2020	99%	52%	96%
2019	99%	52%	96%
2018	99%	53%	94%
2017	99%	53%	94%
2016	99%	52%	95%
2015	99%	52%	96%
2014	75%	47%	61%
2013	72%	47%	58%
2012	66%	45%	58%
2011	63%	43%	56%
2010	66%	40%	53%
2009	53%	28%	48%
2008	56%	25%	47%
2007	55%	35%	43%
2006	50%	35%	40%
2005	66%	37%	45%
2004	68%	36%	43%
2003	60%	27%	39%
2002	47%	30%	35%
2001	52%	29%	33%
2000	40%	31%	32%
1999	46%	31%	29%
1998	44%	31%	31%
1997	42%	30%	29%
1996	51%	30%	29%
1995	31%	29%	28%
1994	32%	29%	28%
1993	32%	29%	27%
1992	19%	22%	20%
1991	23%	31%	33%

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Eligible for (13-14)

View Data

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2000-2014)
Year	Cliffside Elementary School	North Carolina	Rutherford County Schools
2014	6%	7%	7%
2013	7%	7%	7%
2012	6%	8%	7%
2011	7%	8%	8%
2010	6%	9%	10%
2009	7%	6%	10%
2008	7%	6%	9%
2007	9%	8%	9%
2006	7%	7%	8%
2005	8%	8%	9%
2004	11%	8%	9%
2003	11%	7%	9%
2002	15%	8%	9%
2001	13%	7%	9%
2000	13%	8%	9%

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School Statewide Testing

School District Name

Rutherford County Schools

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

School Notes

School Mascot: Eagles

Profile last updated: 02/09/2025

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cliffside Elementary School's ranking?

Cliffside Elementary School is ranked #420 out of 2,617 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina.

What schools are Cliffside Elementary School often compared to?

Cliffside Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Forest City-dunbar Elementary School, Forrest W. Hunt Elementary School by visitors of our site.

What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?

70-74% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 51% NC state average), while 60-64% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 50% NC state average).

How many students attend Cliffside Elementary School?

196 students attend Cliffside Elementary School.

What is the racial composition of the student body?

75% of Cliffside Elementary School students are White, 14% of students are Hispanic, 8% of students are Black, and 3% of students are Two or more races.

What is the student-teacher ratio of Cliffside Elementary School?

Cliffside Elementary School has a student ration of 14:1, which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.

What grades does Cliffside Elementary School offer ?

Cliffside Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-5 (No virtual instruction).

What school district is Cliffside Elementary School part of?

Cliffside Elementary School is part of Rutherford County Schools.

School Reviews

5 1/27/2021

This school is so fun, and they taught us a lot. I am in 9th grade and I am taking Honors Reading 1 and Honors Math 2. I am taking French 1. I loved going to Cliffside and I wish that I could go back!

- Posted by Student/Alumni - Madison HR

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