Excellent
#56 of 1,035 schools in AR
Top 5% 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
8.4
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
451
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
8.4
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hardy
#2 of 3
public schools
Arkansas middle schools
#14 of 205
In district
#2 of 3
HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Highland Middle School
Highland Middle School is a public middle school in Hardy, AR, part of the HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT. The school serves approximately 451 students in grades 5th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 16.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 94.7th percentile among AR schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 47% proficiency in math and 46% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $40,724, where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a remote rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Highland Middle 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Highland Middle School — Students at Highland Middle School score 52% 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
↑ 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: 9.5/10.
How Highland Middle School Compares
See how Highland Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 48% (2019) to 51% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 49% (2019) to 54% (2022).
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. KOSHKONONG ELEM. (rated 8.5/10, 24.2 miles away, in nearby Koshkonong), with a very similar rating. Another option is CHEROKEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, CAVE CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 21.5 miles away, in nearby Cave City), with a comparable rating. 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 | 6.4 |
| CHEROKEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hardy | 0.4 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 | 17.0 mi | 5.3 |
| SALEM HIGH SCHOOL Salem | 17.1 mi | 5.6 |
| CAVE CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cave City | 21.5 mi | 8.1 |
| CAVE CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREER AND COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY Cave City | 21.6 mi | 7.6 |
| CAVE CITY HIGH CAREER & COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Cave City | 21.6 mi | 7.6 |
| IZARD CO. CONS. ELEM. SCHOOL Brockwell | 18.6 mi | 7.1 |
| SLOAN-HENDRIX ELEM. SCHOOL Imboden | 19.8 mi | 6.5 |
| SLOAN-HENDRIX HIGH SCHOOL Imboden | 19.8 mi | 6.6 |
| KOSHKONONG ELEM. Koshkonong | 24.2 mi | 8.5 |
| KOSHKONONG HIGH Koshkonong | 24.2 mi | 6.7 |
| MELBOURNE HIGH SCHOOL Melbourne | 21.4 mi | 7.4 |
| COUCH ELEM. Myrtle | 22.9 mi | 7.8 |
| COUCH HIGH Myrtle | 22.9 mi | 7.9 |
| MELBOURNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Melbourne | 21.5 mi | 5.4 |
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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| ESTEM EAST VILLAGE JUNIOR HIGH PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL Little Rock, AR | 8.4 |
| LAMAR MIDDLE SCHOOL Lamar, AR | 8.4 |
| MENA MIDDLE SCHOOL Mena, AR | 8.4 |
| BOONEVILLE JR HIGH SCHOOL Booneville, AR | 8.3 |
| NORTH LITTLE ROCK MIDDLE SCHOOL 6TH GRADE CAMPUS North Little Rock, AR | 8.3 |
| WASHINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL El Dorado, AR | 8.3 |
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 is ranked #56 out of 1,035 schools in AR.
What is Highland Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Middle School has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Middle School has 46.7% math proficiency and 46.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hardy). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (870) 856-3284
- 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
- #2 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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