Highlands Sd School District
School District · Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania
Avg Rating
6.3
out of 10
Schools
4
2 elem, 1 mid, 1 high
Enrollment
2,137
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
Avg Rating
6.3
out of 10
Schools
4
2 elem, 1 mid, 1 high
Enrollment
2,137
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
How this district compares
Pennsylvania rank
#270 of 494
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
+0.0
above Pennsylvania avg
Per-pupil spending
$17,691
$449 vs Pennsylvania median
District size
2,137 students
Typical than Pennsylvania median
The short answer
Highlands Sd ranks #270 of 494 Pennsylvania districts by overall school rating. Highlands Sd's schools with real test data average 6.3/10 across 4 schools. Its top-rated schools are Highlands EL Sch (7.7/10), Highlands MS (6.1/10), and Highlands Shs (6.0/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
STAAR proficiency rose +5.5 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Highlands Sd schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Highlands Sd
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (4 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Highlands EL Sch | 7.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Highlands MS | 6.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Highlands Shs | 6.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Highlands Early Childhood Center | 5.3 / 10 |
See all 4 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About Highlands Sd
Highlands Sd is a Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania school district serving 4 schools.The district educates 2,137 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1. District-level spending was $17,691 per student in fiscal year 2023 (NCES F-33).
With an average rating of 6.3/10, Highlands Sd demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is Highlands EL Sch, which has a composite score of 7.7/10.
In standardized testing, Highlands Sd students show an average math proficiency of 45.3% and ELA proficiency of 55.5%.
The district includes 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
District Map
Schools in Highlands Sd, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Highlands Sd with test data.
Schools in Highlands Sd
4 schoolsElementary Schools2
Middle Schools1
High Schools1
District Details
- State
- Pennsylvania
- City
- Natrona Heights
- Total Enrollment
- 2,137
- Teachers (FTE)
- 159
- District spending per student
- $17,691NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- Child poverty rate
- 20.3%Census SAIPE · 2024
- District directory year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Highlands Sd?
Highlands Sd has 4 schools in total — 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Highlands Sd?
The average composite rating for Highlands Sd is 6.3/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the district spending per student in Highlands Sd?
Highlands Sd's district-level spending was $17,691 per student in fiscal year 2023, according to NCES F-33. This is district context, not an individual-school expense.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Highlands Sd?
The average student-teacher ratio in Highlands Sd is 13.4:1.
What is the top-rated school in Highlands Sd?
Highlands EL Sch is the highest-rated school in Highlands Sd with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What are the test scores in Highlands Sd?
Across schools in Highlands Sd with test data, the average math proficiency is 45.3% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 55.5%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Highlands Sd compare to other districts in Pennsylvania?
Highlands Sd has an average school rating of 6.3/10 across 4 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in Pennsylvania by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 6.3/10
- Math Proficiency
- 45.3%
- ELA Proficiency
- 55.5%
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 rateOther School Districts in PA
Compare Highlands Sd with neighboring districts in the state.
- Philadelphia City Sd (220)
- Pittsburgh Sd (56)
- Central Bucks Sd (23)
- Bethlehem Area Sd (22)
- Allentown City Sd (21)
- Central Dauphin Sd (19)
- Lancaster Sd (19)
- Reading Sd (19)
- Chambersburg Area Sd (17)
- North Penn Sd (17)
- West Chester Area Sd (17)
- Downingtown Area Sd (16)
- Erie City Sd (15)
- Scranton Sd (15)
- Council Rock Sd (14)
- Pennsbury Sd (14)
- Upper Darby Sd (13)
- West Shore Sd (13)
- Harrisburg City Sd (12)
- Norristown Area Sd (12)
- Parkland Sd (12)
- Altoona Area Sd (11)
- Cumberland Valley Sd (11)
- Hazleton Area Sd (11)
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Pennsylvania Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings and parent guides, free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.