Best Schools in Highland, California
16 schools · 13 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Highland?
Use this page to compare every school in Highland by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Highland Grove Elementary
Elementary · Redlands Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Serrano Middle
Middle · San Bernardino City Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Arroyo Verde Elementary
Elementary · Redlands Unified. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Highland for 2026 are Highland Grove Elementary (7.6/10), Serrano Middle (7.3/10), and Arroyo Verde Elementary (7.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 14 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
16
13 public · 3 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$461,500
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
16
13 public · 3 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$461,500
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 7.3/10 despite 92% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.7 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Highland schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +7.4 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Highland schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Highland
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (14 of 16). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Highland Grove Elementary | 7.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Serrano Middle | 7.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Arroyo Verde Elementary | 7.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Beattie Middle | 7.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Cram Elementary | 6.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Thompson Elementary | 6.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Belvedere Elementary | 6.3 / 10 |
| 8 | San Andreas High | 6.3 / 10 |
| 9 | St Adelaide Academy | 6.1 / 10 |
| 10 | Cypress Elementary | 5.4 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.1/10
- Median household income
- $84,818
- Median home value
- $461,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 25%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 67%
29% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Highland compares
California rank
#356 of 597
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below California avg (6.3)
Median household income
$85k
85% of California median
Schools in this city
14
About Schools in Highland, California
Highland, California is home to 16 schools, including 13 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 13 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.1 out of 10, schools in Highland show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Highland is Highland Grove Elementary with a composite score of 7.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Highland is served by 2 school districts: Redlands Unified, San Bernardino City Unified. These districts collectively serve 64,385 students.
Highland's community shows 25% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $84,818. The poverty rate in the area is 12.3%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
13 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 514 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.6 |
| 2 | 541 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.0 |
| 3 | 521 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.9 |
| 4 | 451 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.8 |
| 5 | 564 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.3 |
| 6 | 496 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.4 |
| 7 | 464 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.3 |
| 8 | 397 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.2 |
| 9 | 527 students · Kindergarten–6th | 4.6 |
| 10 | 263 students · Kindergarten–6th | 3.7 |
Show all 13 elementary schools in Highland
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 685 students · 7th–8th | 7.3 |
| 2 | 1,108 students · 6th–8th | 7.0 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 452 students · 10th–12th | 6.3 |
Schools in Highland
Highland, California · 16 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$84,818
Median Home Value
$461,500
Median Rent
$1,654/mo
Population
56,956
College Educated
25%
Homeownership
67%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
12.3%
Community Profile
Highland has a median household income of $84,818. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $461,500, with a median rent of $1,654/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.3%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- California
- Elementary
- 13
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in California
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Highland, California
How many schools are in Highland, California?
Highland has 16 schools, including 13 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Highland, California?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Highland is 6.1 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Highland, California?
The top-ranked school in Highland on MySchoolScout is Highland Grove Elementary with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Highland, California?
The top-ranked elementary school in Highland on MySchoolScout is Highland Grove Elementary with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Highland, California?
The top-ranked middle school in Highland on MySchoolScout is Serrano Middle with a composite score of 7.3/10.
What is the best high school in Highland, California?
The top-ranked high school in Highland on MySchoolScout is San Andreas High with a composite score of 6.3/10.
How many school districts serve Highland, California?
Highland is served by 2 school districts: Redlands Unified, San Bernardino City Unified.
What is the education level in Highland, California?
According to Census data, 25% of adults in Highland have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Highland, California?
The median household income in Highland is approximately $84,818 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Highland, California?
Yes, Highland has 3 private schools alongside 13 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Adelaide Academy with a score of 6.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Highland, California?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Highland is 18.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Highland, California?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Los Angeles, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, California Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.