Very Good
#515 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 38% in state
Highlands Elementary School
Elementary School · Dothan City
1400 S Brannon Stand Rd, Dothan, AL 36305
Enrollment
601
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
601
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dothan
#4 of 18
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#434 of 696
In district
#4 of 16
Dothan City
Equity
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Highlands Elementary School
Highlands Elementary School serves 601 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Dothan, Alabama, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 20.7:1 and 29 full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned recognition as a strong academic performer, ranking in the 80th percentile statewide at #280 out of 1,360 Alabama elementary schools with a solid 7.1 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. Students at Highlands Elementary demonstrate particularly strong performance in reading and language arts, with 70% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.
Mathematics shows room for continued growth, with 50% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards. The school's overall academic score of 9.1 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence and student achievement. The school draws families from the surrounding 36305 zip code area, where the median household income reaches $79,618 and median home values average $226,000.
This stable community of 17,309 residents includes 36% of adults with bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a low poverty rate of just 7.6%. Located on South Brannon Stand Road in this small city setting, Highlands Elementary serves a well-established neighborhood that values educational opportunity and community investment.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary School is 20.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Highlands Elementary School — Students at Highlands Elementary School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.8%
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: 7.6/10.
How Highlands Elementary School Compares
See how Highlands Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 64% (2019) to 50% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 65% (2019) to 70% (2022).
Location
1400 S Brannon Stand Rd, Dothan, AL 36305
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highlands Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Girard Primary School (rated 8.2/10, 4.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Midland City Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Midland City), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Girard Intermediate School (rated 7.0/10, 4.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Dothan, see our Dothan schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HOUSTON ACADEMY Dothan | 2.8 mi | 6.0 |
| WESTGATE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Dothan | 3.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Dothan City Early Education Center Dothan | 3.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Heard Elementary School Dothan | 3.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Kelly Springs Elementary School Dothan | 4.2 mi | 6.6 |
| NORTHSIDE METHODIST CHURCH & ACADEMY Dothan | 4.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Girard Primary School Dothan | 4.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Girard Intermediate School Dothan | 4.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Selma Street Elementary School Dothan | 4.3 mi | 7.0 |
| DOTHAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Dothan | 4.7 mi | — |
| Houston County Virtual Academy Newton | 5.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Dothan City Virtual School Dothan | 5.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Dothan Preparatory Academy Dothan | 5.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Carver School of Mathematics Science and Technology Dothan | 5.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Midland City Elementary School Midland City | 6.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Dale County High School Midland City | 7.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Rehobeth Elementary School Dothan | 7.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Rehobeth Middle School Rehobeth | 7.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Morris Slingluff Elementary School Dothan | 6.4 mi | 6.8 |
| NEW DAY ACADEMY Dothan | 6.2 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 36305 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,438
Median Home Value
$236,000
Median Rent
$1,120/mo
Population
17,592
College Educated
34.5%
Homeownership
67.6%
Avg Commute
21.8 min
Poverty Rate
7.9%
Median Age
42.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highlands Elementary School has a median household income of $81,438. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $236,000, with a median rent of $1,120/month. The local poverty rate of 7.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Ashland Elementary School Ashland, AL | 7.1 |
| Bagley Elementary School Dora, AL | 7.1 |
| Bear Exploration Center Montgomery, AL | 7.1 |
| Big Sandy Elementary Moundville, AL | 7.1 |
| Blountsville Elementary School Blountsville, AL | 7.1 |
| Cotaco School Somerville, AL | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highlands Elementary School
What grades does Highlands Elementary School serve?
Highlands Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Highlands Elementary School?
Highlands Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 601 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary School is 20.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highlands Elementary School rank in AL?
Highlands Elementary School is ranked #515 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Highlands Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highlands Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Highlands Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highlands Elementary School has 56.0% math proficiency and 77.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highlands Elementary School a charter school?
No, Highlands Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highlands Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Highlands Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highlands Elementary School?
42.8% of students at Highlands 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
- City Safety
- High (3,702/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Dothan). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 601
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Houston County
- Phone
- (334) 794-1459
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Dothan City- District Enrollment
- 8,035
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,149
- District Rank
- #4 of 16
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.