Excellent
#185 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 14% in state
Highland Elementary School
Elementary School · Etowah County
3156 Tabor Rd, Gadsden, AL 35904
Enrollment
223
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
223
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gadsden
#3 of 15
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#173 of 696
In district
#3 of 21
Etowah County
School environment
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Highland Elementary School
Highland Elementary School is a public elementary school in Gadsden, AL, part of the Etowah County. The school serves approximately 223 students in grades Pre-K – 6th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 86.4th percentile among AL schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 27% proficiency in math and 64% in reading/language arts, 23 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.0/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $40,915, where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Highland Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Highland Elementary School — Students at Highland Elementary School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.2/10.
How Highland Elementary School Compares
See how Highland Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
3156 Tabor Rd, Gadsden, AL 35904
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highland Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Eura Brown Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 7.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Walnut Park Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 6.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Gadsden, see our Gadsden schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Thompson Elementary School Gadsden | 3.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Mitchell Elementary School Gadsden | 3.4 mi | 7.9 |
| ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gadsden | 4.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Duck Springs Elementary School Attalla | 4.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Gaston High School Gadsden | 3.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Gaston Elementary School Gadsden | 3.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Floyd Elementary School Gadsden | 4.5 mi | 7.8 |
| HOLY COMFORTER EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Gadsden | 4.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Sansom Middle School Gadsden | 4.9 mi | 5.8 |
| W E Striplin Elementary School Gadsden | 5.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Gadsden Middle School Gadsden | 5.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Litchfield Middle School Gadsden | 5.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Donehoo Elementary School Gadsden | 5.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Adams Elementary School Gadsden | 5.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Walnut Park Elementary School Gadsden | 6.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Gadsden City High School Gadsden | 6.6 mi | 5.3 |
| COOSA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gadsden | 7.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Eura Brown Elementary School Gadsden | 7.7 mi | 9.1 |
| Whitesboro Elementary School Boaz | 7.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Glencoe Middle School Glencoe | 8.4 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35904 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$40,915
Median Home Value
$100,100
Median Rent
$792/mo
Population
13,571
College Educated
11.4%
Homeownership
69.9%
Avg Commute
20 min
Poverty Rate
26.3%
Median Age
40.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highland Elementary School has a median household income of $40,915. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $100,100, with a median rent of $792/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Academy For Science Foreign Language Huntsville, AL | 8.2 |
| Brindlee Mountain Primary School Guntersville, AL | 8.2 |
| Chapman Elementary School Huntsville, AL | 8.2 |
| F S Ervin Elementary School Pine Hill, AL | 8.2 |
| Speake Danville, AL | 8.2 |
| Greenville Elementary School Greenville, AL | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highland Elementary School
What grades does Highland Elementary School serve?
Highland Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Highland Elementary School?
Highland Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 223 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highland Elementary School rank in AL?
Highland Elementary School is ranked #185 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Highland Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Highland Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Elementary School has 27.2% math proficiency and 64.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highland Elementary School a charter school?
No, Highland Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highland Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Highland Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Elementary School?
67.7% of students at Highland Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Gadsden). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 223
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 67.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Etowah County
- Phone
- (256) 546-7409
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Etowah County- District Enrollment
- 8,714
- Schools in District
- 24
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,215
- District Rank
- #3 of 21
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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