Average
#1013 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Highland Free School
Elementary School · Highland Free School (79061)
510 S HIGHLAND AVE, Tucson, AZ 85719
Enrollment
35
Score
6.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
35
Score
6.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tucson
#114 of 246
public schools
Arizona elementary schools
#634 of 1,216
Academic performance
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Highland Free School
Highland Free School is a charter elementary school located in the heart of Tucson, Arizona, serving students from kindergarten through sixth grade. With a small enrollment of 35 students, the school offers a personalized learning environment. While specific student-teacher ratio and teacher numbers are not reported, the small class sizes likely provide ample individual attention.
Highland Free School has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10, with a state ranking of 644 out of 2029 Arizona schools, placing it around the 68th percentile. In terms of academic performance, the school scores an academic score of 7.9 out of 10, with 70% of students proficient or above in ELA/reading and 30% proficient or above in math, indicating areas for improvement in math proficiency. The school is situated in a neighborhood with a median household income of $39,144 and a poverty rate of 32.1%.
About 47% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher, reflecting a community that values education. Highland Free School is part of a larger city setting, offering students access to the cultural and recreational opportunities of Tucson.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 35 students, Highland Free School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Highland Free School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Highland Free School — Students at Highland Free School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 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: 4.8/10.
How Highland Free School Compares
See how Highland Free School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 49.5% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 69.5% (2019) to 69.5% (2022).
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. Robison Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sam Hughes Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ochoa Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 6.2 |
| Miles-Exploratory Learning Center Tucson | 0.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Ha:san Preparatory & Leadership School Tucson | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Borton Primary Magnet School Tucson | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Mansfeld Middle Magnet School Tucson | 0.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Safford K-8 School Tucson | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| 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 | 6.8 |
| SANTA CRUZ CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tucson | 1.2 mi | 4.8 |
| City High School Tucson | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Paulo Freire Freedom School - Downtown Tucson | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Holladay Intermediate Magnet School Tucson | 1.4 mi | 3.7 |
| Robison Elementary School Tucson | 1.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Paulo Freire Freedom School - University Tucson | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Sam Hughes Elementary Tucson | 1.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Ochoa Elementary School Tucson | 1.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Drachman Primary Magnet School Tucson | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highland Free School has a median household income of $41,086. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $266,900, with a median rent of $1,051/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| LESD Online Academy Cashion, AZ | 6.2 |
| Desert Sky Community School Tucson, AZ | 6.1 |
| THE FOUNDATION FOR BLIND CHILDREN Phoenix, AZ | 6.1 |
| Bowie Elementary School Bowie, AZ | 5.9 |
| MONTESSORI IN THE PARK Goodyear, AZ | 6.6 |
| AWAKENING SEED SCHOOL Phoenix, AZ | 5.8 |
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 is ranked #1013 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Highland Free School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Free School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Free School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Free School has 36.5% math proficiency and 56.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (3,922/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tucson). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 35
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Pima County
- Phone
- (520) 623-0104
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Highland Free School (79061)- District Enrollment
- 35
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,591
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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