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#942 of 1,356 schools in AL

Highlands Elementary School

Elementary School · Huntsville City

2500 Barney Terrace NW, Huntsville, AL 35810

Enrollment

380

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

5.4

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#942 of 1,356

In Huntsville

#37 of 47

public schools

In district

#34 of 43

Huntsville City

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Highlands Elementary School

5.4/10

Elementary School in Huntsville · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Academy for Academics Arts Elementary School

6.4/10

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

Academy for Academics and Arts Middle School

8.0/10

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

About Highlands Elementary School

Highlands Elementary School is a public elementary school in Huntsville, AL, part of Huntsville City. Highlands Elementary School serves approximately 380 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Highlands Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #942 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Highlands Elementary School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.5 pts below district
  • This school 5.4 · Average
  • District avg 6.9
  • AL avg 7.4

What Parents Should Know

35% of students at Highlands 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 Progress4.5Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.47 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency78.1% (2024 ACAP)
Reading vs. State Avg-4.7 pts
Overall Proficiency43% (2024 ACAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2024 ACAP)
vs. Expected+7.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
Resources & Environment6.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,146
Chronic Absenteeism35.3%

Highlands Elementary School — Students at Highlands Elementary School score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

85.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 39.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 45.4% (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

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
62%
ELA
73%
2010
Math
89%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
86%
2012
Math
85%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
22%
2014
Math
40%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
39%
ELA
19%
2016
Math
21%
ELA
16%
2017
Math
24%
ELA
25%
2018
Math
26%
ELA
24%
2019
Math
26%
ELA
24%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
7%
ELA
32%
2024
ELA
78.1%

* 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: 4.5/10.

How Highlands Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
31th percentile in AL
Academic
6.5/10
Average
Growth
4.5/10
Below Average
Environment
6.2/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Academy For Science Foreign Language (rated 8.4/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ISLAMIC ACADEMY OF HUNTSVILLE IAH (rated 8.2/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sonnie Hereford Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Huntsville, see our Huntsville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Academy For Academics Arts Elementary School Huntsville 0.3 mi 6.4
Academy for Academics and Arts Middle School Huntsville 0.3 mi 8.0
THE PINNACLE SCHOOL Huntsville 1.2 mi
James Dawson Elementary Huntsville 1.2 mi 5.7
ISLAMIC ACADEMY OF HUNTSVILLE IAH Huntsville 1.4 mi 8.2
FOSTER ACADEMY Huntsville 1.8 mi
Montview Elementary School Huntsville 1.5 mi 6.8
Academy For Science Foreign Language Huntsville 1.6 mi 8.4
Academy For Science Foreign Language Middle School Huntsville 1.6 mi 8.0
OAKWOOD ADVENTIST ACADEMY Huntsville 1.6 mi 6.7
VALLEY FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Huntsville 2.2 mi 6.2
Jemison High School Huntsville 2.2 mi 5.3
JULIUS R SCRUGGS CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER/ACAD Huntsville 1.9 mi 5.3
Ronald McNair 78 Huntsville 2.2 mi 5.7
Sonnie Hereford Elementary School Huntsville 2.2 mi 7.1
THE RILEY BEHAVIORAL AND EDUCATIONAL CENTER Huntsville 2.4 mi
HOLY FAMILY PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Huntsville 2.3 mi 7.0
Rolling Hills Elementary School Huntsville 2.6 mi 4.5
WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Huntsville 2.5 mi 6.7
HUNTSVILLE COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Huntsville 3.0 mi

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Daphne, AL 5.4
Florence Howard Elementary School Mobile, AL 5.4
Forest Hill Elementary School Mobile, AL 5.4
Dozier Elementary School Montgomery, AL 5.5
Johnson Elementary School Montgomery, AL 5.5
Nan Gray Davis Elementary School Theodore, AL 5.5

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 ranks #942 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Highlands Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highlands Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 Highlands Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highlands Elementary School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
39 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
15 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
59 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.3%

District

Huntsville City
District Enrollment
23,649
Schools in District
45
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,146
District Rank
#34 of 43

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