Very Good
#422 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 31% in state
Highland Gardens Elementary School
Elementary School · Montgomery County
2801 Willena Ave, Montgomery, AL 36107
Enrollment
447
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
447
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Montgomery
#5 of 52
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#371 of 696
In district
#5 of 51
Montgomery County
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Highland Gardens Elementary School
Highland Gardens Elementary School is a regular public school in Montgomery, Alabama, nestled in a mid-size city. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 447 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1, ensuring a manageable class size for personalized attention. With 26 full-time equivalent teachers, Highland Gardens focuses on providing a supportive learning environment.
The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and state ranking of #1196 out of 1360 schools in Alabama reflect areas where there is room for academic growth. In recent assessments, 19% of students were proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, and 8% were proficient or above in Math. These scores indicate that the school is working hard to improve educational outcomes for its students.
Highland Gardens Elementary is part of a neighborhood characterized by a median household income of $29,922 and a median home value of $71,400. The area has a 40.2% poverty rate and 19% of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Despite these challenges, the community is dedicated to supporting the school and its students.
Highland Gardens Elementary School is situated in a vibrant city community where parents and teachers collaborate to foster a nurturing educational environment for young learners.
Score Breakdown
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Highland Gardens Elementary School — Students at Highland Gardens Elementary School score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
94.4%
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: 9.6/10.
How Highland Gardens Elementary School Compares
See how Highland Gardens Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 14% (2019) to 7.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 13% (2019) to 19% (2022).
Location
2801 Willena Ave, Montgomery, AL 36107
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highland Gardens Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MONTGOMERY CATHOLIC PREPARATORY SCHOOL, ST BEDE (rated 7.9/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Forest Avenue Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 2.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, MCPS-ST. BEDE CAMPUS (rated 7.0/10, 2.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Montgomery, see our Montgomery schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Childrens Center Montgomery | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Morningview Elementary School Montgomery | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Capitol Heights Middle School Montgomery | 1.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Chisholm Elementary School Montgomery | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Percy Julian High School Montgomery | 1.5 mi | 3.4 |
| RESURRECTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Montgomery | 1.8 mi | 6.6 |
| BETHANY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Montgomery | 1.8 mi | — |
| BETHANY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Montgomery | 1.8 mi | — |
| Highland Avenue Elementary School Montgomery | 1.9 mi | 5.1 |
| MONTGOMERY CATHOLIC PREPARATORY SCHOOL, ST BEDE Montgomery | 2.2 mi | 7.9 |
| MCPS-ST. BEDE CAMPUS Montgomery | 2.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Dalraida Elementary School Montgomery | 2.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Baldwin Art And Academics Magnet Montgomery | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Forest Avenue Elementary School Montgomery | 2.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Goodwyn Middle School Montgomery | 2.4 mi | 4.1 |
| MONTESSORI ACADEMY Montgomery | 2.8 mi | — |
| Flowers Elementary School Montgomery | 2.7 mi | 5.9 |
| FIRST SCHOOL Montgomery | 3.0 mi | — |
| MONTGOMERY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Montgomery | 3.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Nixon Elementary School Montgomery | 3.2 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 36107 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$31,895
Median Home Value
$69,800
Median Rent
$883/mo
Population
8,063
College Educated
17.5%
Homeownership
36.9%
Poverty Rate
36.5%
Median Age
32.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highland Gardens Elementary School has a median household income of $31,895. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $69,800, with a median rent of $883/month. The area has a poverty rate of 36.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Arcadia Elementary School Tuscaloosa, AL | 7.4 |
| Breitling Elementary School Grand Bay, AL | 7.4 |
| Chickasaw City Elementary School Chickasaw, AL | 7.4 |
| Forest Avenue Elementary School Montgomery, AL | 7.4 |
| Harlan Elementary School Florence, AL | 7.4 |
| Hemphill Elementary School Birmingham, AL | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highland Gardens Elementary School
What grades does Highland Gardens Elementary School serve?
Highland Gardens Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Highland Gardens Elementary School?
Highland Gardens Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 447 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Gardens Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland Gardens Elementary School is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highland Gardens Elementary School rank in AL?
Highland Gardens Elementary School is ranked #422 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Highland Gardens Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Gardens Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Gardens Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Gardens Elementary School has 8.0% math proficiency and 35.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highland Gardens Elementary School a charter school?
No, Highland Gardens Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highland Gardens Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Highland Gardens Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Gardens Elementary School?
94.4% of students at Highland Gardens 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 447
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 94.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Montgomery County
- Phone
- (334) 269-3685
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Montgomery County- District Enrollment
- 26,435
- Schools in District
- 52
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,977
- District Rank
- #5 of 51
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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