Very Good
#266 of 1,036 schools in AR
Top 26% in state
Highland Middle School
Middle School · HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT
P O BOX 419, Hardy, AR 72542
Enrollment
451
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
7.5
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
451
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
7.5
Grades
5th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arkansas schools
#266 of 1,036
In Hardy
#2 of 3
public schools
In district
#2 of 3
HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT
Equity
9.2 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Highland Middle School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
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Highland Middle School
Middle School in Hardy · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Highland High School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Cherokee Elementary School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Highland Middle School
Highland Middle School is a public middle school in Hardy, AR, part of HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT. Highland Middle School serves approximately 451 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #266 of 1,036 schools in AR.
Structured state assessment records for Highland Middle School show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.5 · Very Good
- AR avg 6.9
What Parents Should Know
Highland Middle 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Highland Middle School — Students at Highland Middle School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AR ATLAS (2024-25)
Based on 40 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: 7.5/10.
How Highland Middle School Compares
See how Highland Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
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 Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. MELBOURNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 9.1/10, 21.5 miles away, in nearby Melbourne), which scores notably higher. Another option is CAVE CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREER AND COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY (rated 8.9/10, 21.6 miles away, in nearby Cave City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CHEROKEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 0.4 miles away), 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 HIGH SCHOOL Hardy | 0.2 mi | 6.2 |
| CHEROKEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hardy | 0.4 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 | 17.0 mi | 7.2 |
| SALEM HIGH SCHOOL Salem | 17.1 mi | 7.1 |
| CAVE CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cave City | 21.5 mi | 7.0 |
| CAVE CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREER AND COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY Cave City | 21.6 mi | 8.9 |
| CAVE CITY HIGH CAREER & COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Cave City | 21.6 mi | 7.9 |
| IZARD CO. CONS. ELEM. SCHOOL Brockwell | 18.6 mi | 8.3 |
| SLOAN-HENDRIX ELEM. SCHOOL Imboden | 19.8 mi | 6.0 |
| SLOAN-HENDRIX HIGH SCHOOL Imboden | 19.8 mi | 5.5 |
| KOSHKONONG ELEM. Koshkonong | 24.2 mi | 7.5 |
| KOSHKONONG HIGH Koshkonong | 24.2 mi | 4.9 |
| MELBOURNE HIGH SCHOOL Melbourne | 21.4 mi | 6.7 |
| COUCH ELEM. Myrtle | 22.9 mi | 6.2 |
| COUCH HIGH Myrtle | 22.9 mi | 6.6 |
| MELBOURNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Melbourne | 21.5 mi | 9.1 |
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 |
|---|---|
| GREENBRIER MIDDLE SCHOOL Greenbrier, AR | 7.5 |
| LAKESIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL Hot Springs, AR | 7.5 |
| BISMARCK MIDDLE SCHOOL Bismarck, AR | 7.6 |
| FRANK MITCHELL INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Vilonia, AR | 7.6 |
| LINCOLN MIDDLE SCHOOL Lincoln, AR | 7.4 |
| OLD HIGH MIDDLE SCHOOL Bentonville, AR | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highland Middle School
What grades does Highland Middle School serve?
Highland Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Highland Middle School?
Highland Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 451 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland Middle School is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highland Middle School rank in AR?
Highland Middle School ranks #266 of 1,036 schools in AR.
What is Highland Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Middle School has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Highland Middle School a charter school?
No, Highland Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highland Middle School a Title I school?
No, Highland Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Middle School?
100.0% of students at Highland Middle 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
- 11 Car-Dependent
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 451
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Sharp County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 18.8%
- Phone
- (870) 856-3284
Resources & Links
District
HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 1,513
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,860
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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