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#1013 of 2,000 schools in AZ

Highland Free School

Elementary School · Highland Free School (79061)

510 S HIGHLAND AVE, Tucson, AZ 85719

Charter

Enrollment

35

Score

6.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

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 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69.5%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected+16.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$12,929

Highland Free School — Students at Highland Free School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 36.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 56.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
49.5%
ELA
69.5%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
69.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.2/10
49th percentile in AZ
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

Related reading

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