Very Good
#524 of 2,006 schools in AZ
Top 26% in state
Highland Free School
Elementary School · Highland Free School (79061)
510 S HIGHLAND AVE, Tucson, AZ 85719
Enrollment
35
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
35
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arizona schools
#524 of 2,006
In Tucson
#49 of 257
public schools
Academic performance
8.6 / 10
Excellent
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Highland Free School
Elementary School in Tucson · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Project More High School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Miles-exploratory Learning Center
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Highland Free School
Highland Free School is a public elementary school in Tucson, AZ, part of Highland Free School (79061). Highland Free School serves approximately 35 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th. Highland Free School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #524 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
Structured state assessment records for Highland Free School show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.5 · Very Good
- AZ avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 35 students, Highland Free School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Highland Free School is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
49% of students at Highland Free 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Highland Free School — Students at Highland Free School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 test records from AZ 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: 8.4/10.
How Highland Free School Compares
See how Highland Free School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Location
510 S HIGHLAND AVE, Tucson, AZ 85719
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highland Free School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sam Hughes Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Borton Primary Magnet School (rated 7.4/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Ochoa Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 1.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Tucson, see our Tucson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Project More High School Tucson | 0.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Miles-Exploratory Learning Center Tucson | 0.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Ha:san Preparatory & Leadership School Tucson | 0.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Borton Primary Magnet School Tucson | 0.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Mansfeld Middle Magnet School Tucson | 0.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Safford K-8 School Tucson | 0.9 mi | 3.4 |
| PCJTED - Tucson High School Tucson | 1.0 mi | — |
| Tucson Magnet High School Tucson | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Teenage Parent Program - TAPP Tucson | 0.9 mi | — |
| ST AMBROSE SCHOOL Tucson | 0.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Roskruge Bilingual Magnet Middle School Tucson | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| SANTA CRUZ CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tucson | 1.2 mi | 4.8 |
| City High School Tucson | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown Tucson | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Holladay Intermediate Magnet School Tucson | 1.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Robison Elementary School Tucson | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Paulo Freire Freedom School - University Tucson | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Sam Hughes Elementary Tucson | 1.4 mi | 9.3 |
| Ochoa Elementary School Tucson | 1.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Drachman Primary Magnet School Tucson | 1.3 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85719 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$41,086
Median Home Value
$266,900
Median Rent
$1,051/mo
Population
49,609
College Educated
46%
Homeownership
29.7%
Avg Commute
18.4 min
Poverty Rate
31.6%
Median Age
23.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Tsinaabaas Habitiin Elementary School Tuba City, AZ | 7.4 |
| Yuma District One Digital Learning Academy Yuma, AZ | 7.7 |
| Pine Springs Day School Houck, AZ | 7.8 |
| Sentinel Elementary School Dateland, AZ | 7.8 |
| Fowler Elementary School District Virtual Academy Phoenix, AZ | 7.1 |
| Mcneal Elementary School Mcneal, AZ | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highland Free School
What grades does Highland Free School serve?
Highland Free School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Highland Free School?
Highland Free School has an enrollment of approximately 35 students.
How does Highland Free School rank in AZ?
Highland Free School ranks #524 of 2,006 schools in AZ.
What is Highland Free School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Free 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 Free School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Free School has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Highland Free School a charter school?
Yes, Highland Free School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Highland Free School a Title I school?
No, Highland Free School is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 35
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Pima County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 48.6%
- Phone
- (520) 623-0104
Resources & Links
District
Highland Free School (79061)- District Enrollment
- 35
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,591
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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