Clifton Area Neighborhood School

Clifton Area Neighborhood School, or CANS, is a neighborhood elementary school in the Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) system. Any student in K-6th grade living in the neighborhood boundaries of CUF, Clifton, or Spring Grove Village is eligible to attend CANS.

CANS also has one preschool class for 20 students; younger siblings of CANS students have enrollment priority. To learn more about CPS preschool, including Preschool Promise funding, see the CPS website.

Vision & Mission

CANS Vision: Our collaborative community celebrates diversity and inspires a lifelong love of learning.

CANS Mission: CANS embodies the unique multiculturalism, innovation, and arts of Cincinnati’s historic neighborhoods of CUF, Clifton, and Spring Grove Village. In partnership with the University of Cincinnati and other Uptown institutions, we will:

• Provide innovative learning experiences
• Create a community of multicultural inclusion and respect
• Develop the whole child through high academic standards, artistic creation, social-emotional growth, and experiences in nature
• Connect learning to real-world problems in order to cultivate an engaged citizenry

CANS Highlights

• EL Curriculum
  CANS uses the EL Education Language Arts curriculum, emphasizing multidisciplinary project-based learning, cultures of respect, and authentic, high-quality student work

• CREW
  The CANS positive behavioral-intervention system focuses on CREW. Everyone at CANS is part of the crew, not just a passenger. CREW values (conscious, responsible, engaged, and welcoming) are reinforced throughout students’ school day, and each day begins with a CREW lesson for social-emotional growth and shared values.

• UC Partnership
  CANS has a strong partnership with its neighbor, the University of Cincinnati. UC faculty and students provide CANS students with targeted one-on-one tutoring, Spanish instruction, afterschool enrichment activities like music from Zimbabwe, and more.

• After School Care
  CANS is fortunate to have two reputable after school programs. Co Stars is administered for Pre-K through 6th Grade in the CANS building. The Clifton Recreation Center (“CRC”) runs programming for K through 6th just steps from the CANS building with walkover service.

ExtracurricularsAfter School Care

Accolades and Awards

CANS earned a 4.0 on the State Report Card in 2024 — the highest rating in our school’s history! This four-star rating makes CANS one of the top three rated schools in the entire district — an incredible accomplishment and a testament to the hard work of our students, staff, and community.

Anti-Racism Statement

The families of Spring Grove Village, Clifton, and Clifton Heights/University heights/ Fairview (CUF) partnered with CPS to create our CANS Community intentionally, guided by the awareness that past and present systems of oppression and discrimination of all kinds have scarred and continue to harm our society but must be acknowledged and deconstructed in schools.

• We are committed to equitable education and opportunity inside and outside the classroom.

• We are anti-racist. We are anti-bullying. We will not tolerate discrimination of any kind

• In this school community everyone belongs. We actively fight prejudice, foster equity, and create safe spaces for ALL students to flourish.

• We are committed to dismantling education systems that perpetuate discrimination of any kind.

• We acknowledge, celebrate and meet the unique needs of all students and care providers and eliminate barriers to participation and belonging.