Excellent
#226 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 17% in state
Highland Elementary School
Elementary School · Etowah County
3156 Tabor Rd, Gadsden, AL 35904
Enrollment
223
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
223
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Alabama schools
#226 of 1,356
In Gadsden
#4 of 15
public schools
In district
#3 of 21
Etowah County
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Excellent
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Highland Elementary School
Elementary School in Gadsden · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Thompson Elementary School
3.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Mitchell Elementary School
3.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Highland Elementary School
Highland Elementary School is a public elementary school in Gadsden, AL, part of Etowah County. Highland Elementary School serves approximately 223 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #226 of 1,356 schools in AL.
Structured state assessment records for Highland Elementary School show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 8.4 · Excellent
- District avg 7.8
- AL avg 7.4
What Parents Should Know
Highland Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Highland Elementary School — Students at Highland Elementary School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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 30 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: 8.7/10.
How Highland Elementary School Compares
See how Highland Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 9.6/10, 7.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gaston Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Mitchell Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 3.4 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 | 7.0 |
| Mitchell Elementary School Gadsden | 3.4 mi | 8.7 |
| ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gadsden | 4.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Duck Springs Elementary School Attalla | 4.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Gaston High School Gadsden | 3.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Gaston Elementary School Gadsden | 3.7 mi | 8.9 |
| Floyd Elementary School Gadsden | 4.5 mi | 6.9 |
| HOLY COMFORTER EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Gadsden | 4.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Sansom Middle School Gadsden | 4.9 mi | 6.2 |
| W E Striplin Elementary School Gadsden | 5.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Gadsden Middle School Gadsden | 5.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Litchfield Middle School Gadsden | 5.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Donehoo Elementary School Gadsden | 5.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Adams Elementary School Gadsden | 5.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Walnut Park Elementary School Gadsden | 6.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Gadsden City High School Gadsden | 6.6 mi | 4.3 |
| COOSA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gadsden | 7.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Eura Brown Elementary School Gadsden | 7.7 mi | 9.6 |
| Whitesboro Elementary School Boaz | 7.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Glencoe Middle School Glencoe | 8.4 mi | 5.4 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Academy For Science Foreign Language Huntsville, AL | 8.4 |
| Chatom Elementary School Chatom, AL | 8.4 |
| Stapleton School Stapleton, AL | 8.4 |
| HIGHLANDS SCHOOL Birmingham, AL | 8.5 |
| Hayden Elementary School Hayden, AL | 8.3 |
| Meek Elementary School Arley, AL | 8.3 |
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 ranks #226 of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Highland Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Highland Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Elementary School has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 28.3%
- Phone
- (256) 546-7409
Resources & Links
District
Etowah County- District Enrollment
- 8,714
- Schools in District
- 24
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,215
- District Rank
- #3 of 21
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