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Below Average

#1234 of 1,356 schools in AL

Highland Gardens Elementary School

Elementary School · Montgomery County

2801 Willena Ave, Montgomery, AL 36107

Enrollment

447

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

4.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#1,234 of 1,356

In Montgomery

#39 of 52

public schools

In district

#38 of 51

Montgomery County

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Highland Gardens Elementary School

4.0/10

Elementary School in Montgomery · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Childrens Center

3.5/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Morningview Elementary School

4.9/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Highland Gardens Elementary School

Highland Gardens Elementary School is a public elementary school in Montgomery, AL, part of Montgomery County. Highland Gardens Elementary School serves approximately 447 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland Gardens Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,234 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Highland Gardens Elementary School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.7 pts below district
  • This school 4.0 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • AL avg 7.4

What Parents Should Know

48% of students at Highland Gardens Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.96 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency62.9% (2024 ACAP)
Reading vs. State Avg-19.9 pts
Overall Proficiency35% (2024 ACAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)30% (model expectation from 2024 ACAP)
vs. Expected+5.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,977
Chronic Absenteeism48.3%

Highland Gardens Elementary School — Students at Highland Gardens Elementary School score 35% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

94.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 32.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 35.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
86.9% (2024 ACAP)

Based on 30 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
84%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
81%
ELA
80%
2011
Math
81%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
75%
ELA
76%
2013
Math
16%
ELA
15%
2014
Math
21%
ELA
9%
2015
Math
19%
ELA
11%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
12%
2017
Math
14%
ELA
12%
2018
Math
14%
ELA
13%
2019
Math
14%
ELA
13%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
19%
2024
ELA
62.9%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Highland Gardens Elementary School Compares

See how Highland Gardens Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.0/10
9th percentile in AL
Academic
5.8/10
Average
Growth
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.9/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.3%

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. Forest Avenue Elementary School (rated 9.5/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MONTGOMERY CATHOLIC PREPARATORY SCHOOL, ST BEDE (rated 7.9/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MCPS-ST. BEDE CAMPUS (rated 7.0/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 3.5
Morningview Elementary School Montgomery 1.0 mi 4.9
Capitol Heights Middle School Montgomery 1.2 mi 3.6
Chisholm Elementary School Montgomery 1.3 mi 4.1
Percy Julian High School Montgomery 1.5 mi 1.9
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 3.4
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 4.7
Baldwin Art And Academics Magnet Montgomery 2.3 mi 8.1
Forest Avenue Elementary School Montgomery 2.7 mi 9.5
Goodwyn Middle School Montgomery 2.4 mi 2.8
MONTESSORI ACADEMY Montgomery 2.8 mi
Flowers Elementary School Montgomery 2.7 mi 4.8
FIRST SCHOOL Montgomery 3.0 mi
MONTGOMERY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Montgomery 3.2 mi 5.7
Nixon Elementary School Montgomery 3.2 mi 3.3

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
UW Clemon Elementary School Adamsville, AL 4.0
Chisholm Elementary School Montgomery, AL 4.1
Maryvale Elementary School Mobile, AL 4.1
Southlawn Elementary School Montgomery, AL 4.1
T R Simmons Elementary School Jasper, AL 4.1
Jonesboro Elementary School Bessemer, AL 4.2

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 ranks #1,234 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Highland Gardens Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Gardens Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 Gardens Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Gardens Elementary School has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
25 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
17 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.3%

District

Montgomery County
District Enrollment
26,435
Schools in District
52
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,977
District Rank
#38 of 51

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