Very Good
#417 of 2,000 schools in AZ
Top 21% in state
Highland High School
High School · Gilbert Unified District (4239)
140 S GILBERT RD, Gilbert, AZ 85296
Enrollment
3,027
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
7.5
Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
3,027
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
7.5
Grades
8th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gilbert
#25 of 62
public schools
Arizona high schools
#69 of 429
In district
#21 of 38
Gilbert Unified District (4239)
Academic performance
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Highland High School
Highland High School serves 3,027 students in grades 8-12 in Gilbert, Arizona, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 20.7:1 across its 146 full-time equivalent teaching staff. This regular public school has earned strong academic recognition, ranking 206th out of 2,029 Arizona schools and placing in the 90th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, with 68% of students achieving proficiency or above in mathematics and 63% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and reading across all grade levels.
These results contribute to Highland's impressive 9.2 out of 10 academic score, reflecting the school's commitment to educational excellence. Highland High School draws from an affluent community in the 85296 ZIP code, where the median household income reaches $112,832 and nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The area's low poverty rate of 4.6% and median home values of $436,600 indicate a well-established neighborhood that prioritizes education.
Located on South Gilbert Road in this thriving large city setting, Highland High School serves a community of over 50,000 residents who value academic achievement and educational investment.
What's said publicly about Highland High School
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
Highland High School is a large school with 3,027 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
The student-teacher ratio at Highland High School is 20.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Highland High School — Students at Highland High School score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
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: 5.4/10.
How Highland High School Compares
See how Highland High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 78% (2019) to 68% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69% (2019) to 63% (2022).
Location
140 S GILBERT RD, Gilbert, AZ 85296
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highland High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Superstition Springs Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Mesa), which scores notably higher. Another option is Highland Jr High School (rated 7.8/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Mesa), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Astravo Online Academy (rated 7.6/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Mesa), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Gilbert, see our Gilbert schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| EVIT - Highland High School Gilbert | 0.0 mi | — |
| Freedom Prep Academy - Mesa Gilbert | 0.4 mi | 2.6 |
| Towne Meadows Elementary School Gilbert | 0.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Liberty Arts Academy Mesa | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Astravo Online Academy Mesa | 0.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Astravo Online Academy Mesa | 0.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Highland Jr High School Mesa | 0.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Carol Rae Ranch Elementary Gilbert | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| San Tan Charter School Gilbert | 1.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Highland Park Elementary Gilbert | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Superstition Springs Elementary Mesa | 1.1 mi | 8.8 |
| LUMOS ARTS ACADEMY Mesa | 1.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Leman Academy of Excellence East Mesa Tucson | 1.3 mi | 4.3 |
| A PLACE 4 EVERYONE LEARNING CENTER Mesa | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| PIECEFUL SOLUTIONS LLC Gilbert | 1.7 mi | 6.3 |
| AMERICAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY VIRTUAL Mesa | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Noah Webster Schools- Mesa Mesa | 1.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Learning Foundation and Performing Arts Gilbert Gilbert | 2.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Learning Foundation and Performing Arts Warner Gilbert | 2.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Wilson Elementary School Mesa | 2.1 mi | 4.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 85296 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$117,120
Median Home Value
$496,200
Median Rent
$2,141/mo
Population
52,058
College Educated
49.1%
Homeownership
70.7%
Avg Commute
25.5 min
Poverty Rate
4.7%
Median Age
35.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highland High School has a median household income of $117,120. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $496,200, with a median rent of $2,141/month. The local poverty rate of 4.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Campo Verde High School Gilbert, AZ | 7.6 |
| Marana High School Marana, AZ | 7.4 |
| Betty Fairfax High School Laveen, AZ | 7.8 |
| Boulder Creek High School Anthem, AZ | 7.2 |
| West Point High School Tolleson, AZ | 7.9 |
| Catalina Foothills High School Tucson, AZ | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highland High School
What grades does Highland High School serve?
Highland High School serves students in grades 8th through 12th.
How many students attend Highland High School?
Highland High School has an enrollment of approximately 3,027 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland High School is 20.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highland High School rank in AZ?
Highland High School is ranked #417 out of 2,000 schools in AZ.
What is Highland High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland High School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland High School has 64.0% math proficiency and 58.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highland High School a charter school?
No, Highland High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highland High School a Title I school?
No, Highland High School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 8th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 3,027
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 146
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Maricopa County
- Phone
- (480) 813-0051
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Gilbert Unified District (4239)- District Enrollment
- 32,402
- Schools in District
- 38
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,928
- District Rank
- #21 of 38
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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