Average
#500 of 1,035 schools in AR
Top 48% in state
Highland High School
High School · HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT
P O BOX 419, Hardy, AR 72542
Enrollment
515
Student-Teacher
8.7:1
Score
6.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
515
Student-Teacher
8.7:1
Score
6.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hardy
#3 of 3
public schools
Arkansas high schools
#171 of 277
In district
#3 of 3
HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Highland High School
Highland High School is a regular public high school located in the rural community of Hardy, Arkansas. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 515 students with a student-teacher ratio of 8.7:1, ensuring that each student receives individual attention. With 59 full-time equivalent teachers, Highland High School aims to provide quality education despite its remote setting.
The academic performance at Highland High School is currently rated at 5.9 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing the school in the 60th percentile among all high schools in Arkansas. Students perform slightly above average in ELA/Reading, with 46% achieving proficiency or better, while Math scores are a bit lower, with only 33% reaching the proficient level. Highland High School is situated in a remote rural area that offers students a close-knit community feel and strong school spirit.
Despite its challenges, Highland High School continues to focus on student development and academic growth for all learners.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.7:1, Highland High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Highland High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Highland High School — Students at Highland High School score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AR state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 8.0/10.
How Highland High School Compares
See how Highland High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 47% (2022).
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. COUCH HIGH (rated 7.9/10, 22.8 miles away, in nearby Myrtle), which scores notably higher. Another option is CAVE CITY HIGH CAREER & COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 21.6 miles away, in nearby Cave City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MELBOURNE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 21.5 miles away, in nearby Melbourne), 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 | 8.4 |
| CHEROKEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hardy | 0.6 mi | 8.4 |
| MAMMOTH SPRING ELEM. SCHOOL Mammoth Spring | 15.8 mi | 6.3 |
| MAMMOTH SPRING HIGH SCHOOL Mammoth Spring | 15.8 mi | 6.5 |
| THAYER ELEM. Thayer | 18.1 mi | 5.2 |
| THAYER SR. HIGH Thayer | 18.1 mi | 6.1 |
| SALEM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Salem | 17.1 mi | 5.3 |
| SALEM HIGH SCHOOL Salem | 17.2 mi | 5.6 |
| CAVE CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cave City | 21.5 mi | 8.1 |
| CAVE CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREER AND COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY Cave City | 21.5 mi | 7.6 |
| CAVE CITY HIGH CAREER & COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Cave City | 21.6 mi | 7.6 |
| IZARD CO. CONS. ELEM. SCHOOL Brockwell | 18.8 mi | 7.1 |
| SLOAN-HENDRIX ELEM. SCHOOL Imboden | 19.6 mi | 6.5 |
| SLOAN-HENDRIX HIGH SCHOOL Imboden | 19.7 mi | 6.6 |
| IMBODEN AREA CHARTER SCHOOL Imboden | 20.0 mi | 7.7 |
| COUCH ELEM. Myrtle | 22.8 mi | 7.8 |
| COUCH HIGH Myrtle | 22.8 mi | 7.9 |
| KOSHKONONG ELEM. Koshkonong | 24.2 mi | 8.5 |
| KOSHKONONG HIGH Koshkonong | 24.2 mi | 6.7 |
| MELBOURNE HIGH SCHOOL Melbourne | 21.5 mi | 7.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highland High School has a median household income of $40,724. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $90,500, with a median rent of $519/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BLYTHEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Blytheville, AR | 6.4 |
| CLARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Clarksville, AR | 6.4 |
| COSSATOT RIVER HIGH SCHOOL Cove, AR | 6.4 |
| PANGBURN HIGH SCHOOL Pangburn, AR | 6.4 |
| PRAIRIE GROVE HIGH SCHOOL Prairie Grove, AR | 6.4 |
| BISMARCK HIGH SCHOOL Bismarck, AR | 6.5 |
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 is ranked #500 out of 1,035 schools in AR.
What is Highland High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland High School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland High School has 33.0% math proficiency and 46.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (909/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hardy). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (870) 856-3273
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 1,513
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,860
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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.
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