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Very Good

#646 of 2,006 schools in AZ

Top 32% in state

Highland JR High School

Middle School · Gilbert Unified District (4239)

6915 E GUADALUPE RD, Mesa, AZ 85212

Enrollment

956

Student-Teacher

16.8:1

Score

7.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arizona schools

#646 of 2,006

In Mesa

#49 of 129

public schools

In district

#31 of 38

Gilbert Unified District (4239)

Academic performance

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Highland JR High School

7.2/10

Middle School in Mesa · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Liberty Arts Academy

3.0/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Superstition Springs Elementary

8.8/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Highland JR High School

Highland JR High School is a public middle school in Mesa, AZ, part of Gilbert Unified District (4239). Highland JR High School serves approximately 956 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland JR High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #646 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

Structured state assessment records for Highland JR High School show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.5
  • AZ avg 5.6

What Parents Should Know

34% of students at Highland JR High 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 metrics
Student Progress6.3Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.17 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency50% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+1.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,928
Chronic Absenteeism33.9%

Highland JR High School — Students at Highland JR High School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores AZ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 60.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 65.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from AZ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
78%
ELA
89%
2010
Math
74%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
75%
ELA
88%
2012
Math
79%
ELA
88%
2013
Math
80%
ELA
91%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
50%
2015
Math
51%
ELA
48%
2016
Math
56%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
56%
ELA
55%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
55%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
55%
2020*
Math
51%
ELA
49%
2021*
Math
51%
ELA
49%
2022
Math
45%
ELA
54%

* 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: 6.3/10.

How Highland JR High School Compares

See how Highland JR High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
68th percentile in AZ
Academic
7.9/10
Very Good
Growth
6.3/10
Average
Environment
7.8/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
57 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

6915 E GUADALUPE RD, Mesa, AZ 85212

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland JR High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Superstition Springs Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Carol Rae Ranch Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Gilbert), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Towne Meadows Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Gilbert), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mesa, see our Mesa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Liberty Arts Academy Mesa 0.3 mi 3.0
Superstition Springs Elementary Mesa 0.4 mi 8.8
Astravo Online Academy Mesa 0.5 mi 3.0
Astravo Online Academy Mesa 0.5 mi 4.9
Freedom Prep Academy - Mesa Gilbert 0.5 mi 2.0
EVIT - Highland High School Gilbert 0.8 mi
Highland High School Gilbert 0.8 mi 7.8
LUMOS ARTS ACADEMY Mesa 1.0 mi 6.6
Leman Academy of Excellence East Mesa Tucson 1.1 mi 4.1
A PLACE 4 EVERYONE LEARNING CENTER Mesa 1.2 mi 6.7
Noah Webster Schools- Mesa Mesa 1.2 mi 7.1
Towne Meadows Elementary School Gilbert 1.2 mi 8.4
AMERICAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY VIRTUAL Mesa 1.6 mi 4.7
Boulder Creek Elementary Mesa 1.4 mi 6.6
San Tan Charter School Gilbert 1.6 mi 5.3
Carol Rae Ranch Elementary Gilbert 1.6 mi 8.5
Highland Park Elementary Gilbert 1.7 mi 8.4
Learning Foundation and Performing Arts Gilbert Gilbert 2.3 mi 5.2
Learning Foundation and Performing Arts Warner Gilbert 2.3 mi 7.1
PIECEFUL SOLUTIONS LLC Gilbert 2.3 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 85212 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$123,404

Median Home Value

$530,700

Median Rent

$2,024/mo

Population

50,427

College Educated

42%

Homeownership

84.7%

Avg Commute

30.3 min

Poverty Rate

3%

Median Age

34.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Greenfield Junior High School Gilbert, AZ 7.2
Kyrene Altadena Middle School Phoenix, AZ 7.2
Kyrene Aprende Middle School Chandler, AZ 7.2
Mansfeld Middle Magnet School Tucson, AZ 7.3
Corona Foothills Middle School Corona De Tucson, AZ 7.4
Desert Shadows Middle School Scottsdale, AZ 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland JR High School

What grades does Highland JR High School serve?

Highland JR High School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Highland JR High School?

Highland JR High School has an enrollment of approximately 956 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland JR High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Highland JR High School is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highland JR High School rank in AZ?

Highland JR High School ranks #646 of 2,006 schools in AZ.

What is Highland JR High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland JR High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 JR High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland JR High School has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Highland JR High School a charter school?

No, Highland JR High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Highland JR High School a Title I school?

No, Highland JR High School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
32 Some Transit
Bike Score
52 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
956
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
57
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Maricopa County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.9%

District

Gilbert Unified District (4239)
District Enrollment
32,402
Schools in District
38
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,928
District Rank
#31 of 38

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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