Best Schools in Highland, Illinois
6 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 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.
Grantfork Upper Elementary Sch
Elementary · Highland Cusd 5. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Highland High School
High · Highland Cusd 5. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Highland Elementary School
Elementary · Highland Cusd 5. 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 Grantfork Upper Elementary Sch (8.1/10), Highland High School (7.5/10), and Highland Elementary School (6.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 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
6
5 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$220,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
6
5 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$220,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Highland
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grantfork Upper Elementary Sch | 8.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Highland High School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Highland Elementary School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Highland Middle School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 5 | St Paul Catholic School | 6.3 / 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
- 7.0/10
- Median household income
- $88,986
- Median home value
- $220,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 36%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 80%
33% 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
Illinois rank
#108 of 444
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.7
above Illinois avg (6.2)
Median household income
$89k
109% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Highland, Illinois
Highland, Illinois is home to 6 schools, including 5 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.0 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 Grantfork Upper Elementary Sch with a composite score of 8.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Highland is served by 1 school district: Highland CUSD 5. These districts collectively serve 2,780 students.
Highland's community shows 36% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $88,986. The poverty rate in the area is 4.4%.
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
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 51 students · 4th–5th | 8.1 | ||
| 2 | 515 students · 3rd–5th | 6.9 | ||
| 3 | 581 students · Pre-K–2nd | 6.2 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Paul Catholic School
Private
171 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.3 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 611 students · 6th–8th | 6.8 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 847 students · 9th–12th | 7.5 |
Schools in Highland
Highland, Illinois · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$88,986
Median Home Value
$220,000
Median Rent
$779/mo
Population
16,550
College Educated
36%
Homeownership
80%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Community Profile
Highland has a median household income of $88,986. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $220,000, with a median rent of $779/month. The local poverty rate of 4.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Illinois
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, Illinois
How many schools are in Highland, Illinois?
Highland has 6 schools, including 5 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Highland, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Highland is 7.0 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, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Highland on MySchoolScout is Grantfork Upper Elementary Sch with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Highland, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Highland on MySchoolScout is Grantfork Upper Elementary Sch with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Highland, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Highland on MySchoolScout is Highland Middle School with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best high school in Highland, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Highland on MySchoolScout is Highland High School with a composite score of 7.5/10.
How many school districts serve Highland, Illinois?
Highland is served by 1 school district: Highland Cusd 5.
What is the education level in Highland, Illinois?
According to Census data, 36% of adults in Highland have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Highland, Illinois?
The median household income in Highland is approximately $88,986 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Highland, Illinois?
Yes, Highland has 1 private school alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Paul Catholic School with a score of 6.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Highland, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Highland is 13.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Highland, Illinois?
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.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Illinois Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.