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Clifton Middle School A School in the Monrovia Unified School District

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Students Clifton State Average
Percent students eligible for free/reduced-price lunch 51% 49%
Percent students with parent educational level at high school degree or greater 84% 77%
Percent minority students 63% 67%
Percent American Indian 1% 1%
Percent Asian 1% 8%
Percent Pacific Islander 0% 1%
Percent Filipino 1% 3%
Percent Hispanic 46% 46%
Percent African American 14% 8%
Percent English learner students 8% 20%
Percent special education students 9% 10%

Source: California Basic Educational Data System (CBEDS) and Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program, 2006-07

How Clifton Staff Collaborate and Lead

  • Create strong school leadership teams: The “Clifton Cabinet,” which includes the principal, assistant principal, counselor, and program advisor, provides leadership on school decisions. Additionally, the instructional leadership team, which also includes grade level representatives and department chairs, helps develop school programs and serves as a liaison between individual departments and the administration.
  • Provide time and structures for collaboration: Clifton releases students early on Wednesdays, and this time is used to promote multi-level collaboration among staff. Each Wednesday is allocated either for faculty, department, or grade level meetings, or personal prep time. Teachers share best practices, discuss standards, and give the administration feedback on school programs and policies.
Staff Clifton State Average
Number of Students per Full Time Staff:
Administrators 373:1 320:1
Teachers 23:1 22:1
Paraprofessionals 124:1 122:1
Pupil Service Staff (counselors, nurses, etc.) 746:1 428:1
Office Staff/Clerical 298:1 191:1
Teacher Characteristics:
Average years in education 16 years 12 years
Percentage with Greater than Bachelor's Degree 82% 82%
Percentage with full credential 91% 93%

Source: CBEDS, 2006-07

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How Clifton Creates High Expectations:
“A culture of high expectations [involves] not settling for mediocrity, encouraging and supporting your teachers, students, and parents to really be a team, and trying to bring everyone along with your vision.”

—Dr. Deb Rinder, Principal





Student Expectations:

  1. Respect yourselves and others
  2. Attend school every day prepared to learn
  3. Do all of your work, all of the time
  4. Seek the help of an adult if you are having problems personally, socially or academically





Snapshot of the Key to Clifton’s Success:
Setting high expectations for teachers, parents, and students is critical for creating a culture of academic success. Everything done at the school should tie into those expectations. Use expectations to create a shared vision for student achievement.