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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.6Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+3.53 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics4.6Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency19%
Reading vs. State Avg-63.8 pts
Overall Proficiency13%
Expected (poverty-adj.)15%
vs. Expected-2.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.3Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,430

Highland Gardens Elementary School — Students at Highland Gardens Elementary School score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).

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 8.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 35.0%
School
State
86.9%

Based on 8 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
14%
ELA
13%
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: 9.6/10.

How Highland Gardens Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
69th percentile in AL
Academic
4.6/10
4.6/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
6.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
94%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
25 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
17 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,830/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Montgomery). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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