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Average

#549 of 1,036 schools in AR

Highland High School

High School · HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT

P O BOX 419, Hardy, AR 72542

Enrollment

515

Student-Teacher

8.7:1

Score

6.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arkansas schools

#549 of 1,036

In Hardy

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Highland High School

6.2/10

High School in Hardy · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Highland Middle School

7.5/10

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

Cherokee Elementary School

8.4/10

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

About Highland High School

Highland High School is a public high school in Hardy, AR, part of HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT. Highland High School serves approximately 515 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 8.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #549 of 1,036 schools in AR.

Structured state assessment records for Highland High School show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with AR schools
  • This school 6.2 · Average
  • AR avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 8.7:1 students to teachers, Highland High School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Highland High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.4Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.05 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.0Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18.6% (2025 ATLAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.2% (2025 ATLAS)
Math vs. State Avg-8.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.1 pts
Overall Proficiency26% (2025 ATLAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)23% (model expectation from 2025 ATLAS)
vs. Expected+2.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
College Readiness5.1Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation3.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,860
Chronic Absenteeism28%

Highland High School — Students at Highland High School score 26% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR ATLAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 39.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
20.2% (2025 ATLAS)
ELA Proficiency 53.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
32.7% (2025 ATLAS)

Based on 33 test records from AR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
74%
ELA
70%
2010
Math
71%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
74%
ELA
80%
2012
Math
58%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
59%
ELA
71%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
23%
ELA
44%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
48%
2017
Math
30%
ELA
44%
2018
Math
38%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
38%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
31%
ELA
44%
2021*
Math
31%
ELA
44%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
18.6%
ELA
33.2%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How Highland High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.2/10
47th percentile in AR
Academic
6.0/10
Average
Growth
6.4/10
Average
Environment
7.9/10
Very Good
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.5
Sports
17
8 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
59 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
28.0%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
3.1% participation·State avg: 2.5 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics17sports offered
8 boys'·9 girls'·30 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

P O BOX 419, Hardy, AR 72542

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. CAVE CITY HIGH CAREER & COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 21.6 miles away, in nearby Cave City), which scores notably higher. Another option is MAMMOTH SPRING HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 15.8 miles away, in nearby Mammoth Spring), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SALEM HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 17.2 miles away, in nearby Salem), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Hardy, see our Hardy schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.5 mi
School Distance Rating
HIGHLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL Hardy 0.2 mi 7.5
CHEROKEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hardy 0.6 mi 8.4
MAMMOTH SPRING ELEM. SCHOOL Mammoth Spring 15.8 mi 7.1
MAMMOTH SPRING HIGH SCHOOL Mammoth Spring 15.8 mi 7.7
THAYER ELEM. Thayer 18.1 mi 4.7
THAYER SR. HIGH Thayer 18.1 mi 5.4
SALEM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Salem 17.1 mi 7.2
SALEM HIGH SCHOOL Salem 17.2 mi 7.1
CAVE CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cave City 21.5 mi 7.0
CAVE CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREER AND COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY Cave City 21.5 mi 8.9
CAVE CITY HIGH CAREER & COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Cave City 21.6 mi 7.9
IZARD CO. CONS. ELEM. SCHOOL Brockwell 18.8 mi 8.3
SLOAN-HENDRIX ELEM. SCHOOL Imboden 19.6 mi 6.0
SLOAN-HENDRIX HIGH SCHOOL Imboden 19.7 mi 5.5
IMBODEN AREA CHARTER SCHOOL Imboden 20.0 mi 4.6
COUCH ELEM. Myrtle 22.8 mi 6.2
COUCH HIGH Myrtle 22.8 mi 6.6
KOSHKONONG ELEM. Koshkonong 24.2 mi 7.5
KOSHKONONG HIGH Koshkonong 24.2 mi 4.9
MELBOURNE HIGH SCHOOL Melbourne 21.5 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 72542 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$40,724

Median Home Value

$90,500

Median Rent

$519/mo

Population

3,829

College Educated

9.9%

Homeownership

85%

Poverty Rate

12.7%

Median Age

45.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
COTTER HIGH SCHOOL Cotter, AR 6.2
HARMONY GROVE HIGH SCHOOL Camden, AR 6.2
HEBER SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL Heber Springs, AR 6.2
MANILA HIGH SCHOOL Manila, AR 6.2
ATKINS HIGH SCHOOL Atkins, AR 6.3
WHITE CO. CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Judsonia, AR 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland High School

What grades does Highland High School serve?

Highland High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Highland High School?

Highland High School has an enrollment of approximately 515 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Highland High School is 8.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highland High School rank in AR?

Highland High School ranks #549 of 1,036 schools in AR.

What is Highland High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 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 High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland High School has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Highland High School a charter school?

No, Highland High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Highland High School a Title I school?

No, Highland High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland High School?

100.0% of students at Highland High 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
19 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
515
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
59
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Sharp County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
28.0%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
1,513
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,860
District Rank
#3 of 3

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