Very Good
#352 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 26% in state
Highlands Elementary School
Elementary School · Huntsville City
2500 Barney Terrace NW, Huntsville, AL 35810
Enrollment
380
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
380
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Huntsville
#9 of 47
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#314 of 696
In district
#9 of 43
Huntsville City
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Highlands Elementary School
Highlands Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Huntsville, Alabama, in the heart of Madison County. Serving students from pre-K through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 380 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1, with 24 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 reflects areas where there is room for academic growth, as the school currently ranks 32nd percentile among Alabama's 1360 schools.
On standardized tests, 32% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while only 7% are proficient or above in Math. Despite these challenges, Highlands Elementary is committed to supporting its students in every aspect of their development. The school is situated in a mid-size city, and the surrounding neighborhood has a median household income of $46,285 and a median home value of $113,500.
The community has a poverty rate of 21.3%, with about 24% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. Highlands Elementary School is an integral part of this community, offering a nurturing environment where students can grow and learn together.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Highlands Elementary School — Students at Highlands Elementary School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
85.3%
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: 8.8/10.
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 26% (2019) to 7% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 24% (2019) to 32% (2022).
Location
2500 Barney Terrace NW, Huntsville, AL 35810
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highlands Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ISLAMIC ACADEMY OF HUNTSVILLE IAH (rated 8.2/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Academy For Science Foreign Language (rated 8.2/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Montview Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Huntsville, see our Huntsville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35810 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$46,963
Median Home Value
$126,100
Median Rent
$1,097/mo
Population
32,705
College Educated
23.5%
Homeownership
66%
Avg Commute
20 min
Poverty Rate
21.1%
Median Age
36.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highlands Elementary School has a median household income of $46,963. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $126,100, with a median rent of $1,097/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Avondale Elementary School Birmingham, AL | 7.6 |
| Banks School Banks, AL | 7.6 |
| BanksCaddell Elementary School Decatur, AL | 7.6 |
| Central Elementary School Rockford, AL | 7.6 |
| Eutaw Primary School Eutaw, AL | 7.6 |
| Holt Elementary School Tuscaloosa, AL | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highlands Elementary School
What grades does Highlands Elementary School serve?
Highlands Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Highlands Elementary School?
Highlands Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 380 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary School is 15.8:1. 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 #352 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Highlands Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highlands Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 11.8% math proficiency and 47.8% 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?
85.3% 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
- Walk Score
- 39 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 15 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 59 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,879/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Huntsville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 380
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 85.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Madison County
- Phone
- (256) 428-7200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Huntsville City- District Enrollment
- 23,649
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,146
- District Rank
- #9 of 43
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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