Christopher Columbus Middle School

www.clifton.k12.nj.us

1,158 Students

Middle School 6th - 8th

School Overview

Christopher Columbus Middle School, located on Piaget Avenue in Clifton, New Jersey, serves as a central hub for the city’s middle-grade students. As part of the Clifton Public School District, the institution is committed to fostering an inclusive academic environment that supports the transition from elementary to high school. The school typically emphasizes a comprehensive curriculum that balances core subjects—such as mathematics, science, language arts, and social studies—with extracurricular opportunities designed to encourage student engagement and personal growth.

Beyond academics, the school focuses on social-emotional development and the cultivation of a supportive community culture. By promoting values of responsibility, respect, and scholastic achievement, Christopher Columbus Middle School strives to prepare its diverse student body for the rigorous demands of Clifton High School. The facility serves as a vital component of the local educational landscape, reflecting the district’s dedication to providing accessible, quality public education to the families of Clifton.

1,158

Total Students

118.5

Full-Time Teachers

9.8

Student/Teacher Ratio

69.9%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Christopher Columbus Middle School
Demographic	Student Count
White	257
Hispanic	812
Black	32
Asian	36
Two or More	6
American Indian	15

Hispanic
812 (70.1 %)
White
257 (22.2 %)
Asian
36 (3.1 %)
Black
32 (2.8 %)
American Indian
15 (1.3 %)
Two or More
6 (0.5 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Middle School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Clifton Public School District
Phone:	(973)470-2360
Website:	http://www.clifton.k12.nj.us
Grade Range:	6th - 8th
Total Students:	1,158
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	118.5
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	9.8
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	684
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	125

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 6 387

Grade 7 392

Grade 8 379