Clifton Middle School

226 South Ivy Avenue

School District

Monrovia Unified
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:23
Type

public

School Map for Monrovia Unified School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 19, 2022

Clifton was an amazing experience for me and has been for my kids. I was treasurer of my class and loved my time so much I went back to chaperone 8. Years of leadership conferences and hetwaways. My kids love it even more. The demographics are off I sit in front of the school e wry day and I love here a 1 bedroom is 2,300 a month. Home is up to 4,500-7,000 this whole lower class kids doing not as well is B.s everyone is struggle everyone should be on the demographic. They have a great multicultural staff and no one is getting left behind due to color. Please verify the raw numbers you get before you go posting them as facts on the internet.
Submitted by other on February 18, 2018

My name is James Youmans. I went to this school when I was a kid. Everyday I was bullied and constantly put through harassing situations. I would tell the staff and nobody seemed interested in helping me. I tried my hardest to pass my grades but the staff would "correct" homework making it look like I did it wrong. Everyday was a nightmare with no hope of help. I am now 35 and still going to therapy. I truly hope this school has gotten better staff and no child ever feels the fear and embarassment I was forced to endure
Submitted by parent on January 15, 2017

Just like anything there are positives and negatives at Clifton. Overall, the pros are more than the cons. My son has been here since 2014 and is now in 8th grade. Most of his teachers have been great. He's been challenged by most. I would love to see more project-based assignments that call for application. There are a few teachers like the technology teacher who should retire. Otherwise, most are great. Their communication with parents via School loop is a dream. You can monitor your child's education daily. As long as your child is in the honors program, they are surrounded by highly-motivated students like themselves. The students are highly competitive. My son has straight As and is still not at the top of his class. I'm glad. Hope MHS is just as good as Clifton and Mayflower.
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2016

My kid attended this middle school recently. Although some of the teachers are okay other teachers are not interested in doing their job correctly. They have low standards and will tell the kids that they are doing great while in reality they are not. Case in point. The language arts and math scores are barely above average compared to other public schools. Yet so many reviewers have praised the school for the excellent academic work they are doing. The mediocre test scores belie the 5-star reviews posted on this website; if one believe the school should put academics first. This school is focused on sports and making the kids feel happy. This is all very nice except these children are being denied a decent education so that they will be competitive in a globalized world. If you want your kids to be mediocre, this is the place for you. If you want your kids to be competitive and be leaders when they grow up, get them out as soon as possible. I'm baffled by the 8 out of 10 rating. Obviously, the 5-star ratings come from people who treats average test scores as "great" scores. The real world will not be so warm and toasty 10-15 years down the road.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2012

My child is a special education student who needs a little more attention than most he was put in rsp classes and the teachers have no patients what so ever. You would think a special education teacher would be very patient. My son hates going to school at clifton and begs everyday to go to another school. The teachers are rude and have made my son who at one time loved school hate it with a passion!!!! Clifton is a horrible school for children with learning disabilities ........
Submitted by parent on May 28, 2011

Clifton is a wonderful middle school. There is something for everyone. The teachers/staff are very supportive. The library is fully stocked and the librarian is the best around. You feel welcomed the moment you step on campus.
Submitted by parent on May 28, 2011

My oldest child had a wonderful experience here when Deb Rinder was the principal. Now that Traci Gholar is here, the experience for my youngest is less than stellar. Ms. Gholar has never answered an email. The teachers are focused solely on state test scores. During parent-teacher conference week, it was impossible to see his teachers -- even though he was failing two classes. Why? His state test scores were Advanced, so he wasn't on the list of kids who could be seen.
Submitted by parent on January 10, 2011

My child came to 6th grade at Clifton after going to private elementary school. We tried to register in the spring for the following fall, but were told that they only accept registrations two weeks before school starts. We registered in August, but were told that 2 out of the 3 of the honors subjects our child qualified for were completely full. The Principal never seemed very sympathetic and just said that our child would have to wait until someone dropped out of honors. Be warned if you're thinking of transferring from private school.... you're in the back of the line. You'll only get into honors classes or anything else only if there is space left after the kids that are already there, irrespective of your child's qualifications. Unless they change things to accept new admissions when they do their class planning in the spring, you'll only get into honors if there is already an extra seat.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2010

The teachers and after school programs are awesome!
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2010

I love this school because my kids feel safe and they get a great education .
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2010

Clifton Middle School is one of the greatest middle schools in our Monrovia District. The parent involvement and the great teachers help made this possible. I like the participation of the parents and the awesome involvement of our kids.
Submitted by other on April 12, 2010

My nephew does very well at Clifton. It seems the staff keeps the kids engaged in learning at every level.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2010

Traci Golar, the principal, is absolutely outstanding. Leadership starts from the top down, and you can see the results of this new leader already! The support the Clifton provides for students amidst a devastating budget crisis is commendable.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2010

The reason why I love Clifton , it offers so much Love their extra curricular activities.. as well as all their teachers and staff .. Great school
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2010

The teachers at Clifton are very dedicated to the students and go above and beyond every day.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2010

Good programing. I love school loop keeps me informed
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2010

We love the teachers and the challenges and support that they provide for our daughter. It's a great learning environment.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2010

I love the way all of the teachers make each student feel valued and take the time to meet the individual needs of each student. The staff strives to help each student reach their full potential. Both of my sons love Clifton!
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2010

Great teachers who take the time to help the students and the principal and other administrators really care about the kids education and well being.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2010

Provides Students with a good education. Prepares well for Highschool.