Average
#7046 of 9,533 schools in CA
Highland Community
Elementary School · Oakland Unified
8521 A St., Oakland, CA 94621
Enrollment
453
Student-Teacher
25.2:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
453
Student-Teacher
25.2:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Oakland
#96 of 147
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,170 of 5,817
In district
#64 of 79
Oakland Unified
About Highland Community
Highland Community is an elementary school located in Oakland, California. With a student body of 453 students and a ratio of 25.2 students per teacher, Highland Community offers a learning environment where each child receives some individual attention. The school has 18 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their education.
Highland Community's academic performance is currently rated at 2.7 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks #8992 in California among 9,566 schools. In terms of proficiency rates, only 9% of students meet or exceed the standards for ELA/Reading, while just 8% are proficient or above in Math. While these scores indicate there is room for improvement, the school continues to focus on developing its programs and supporting each student's learning needs.
Situated in a large city setting, Highland Community is part of Oakland’s vibrant educational landscape.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Highland Community are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Highland Community is 25.2:1, 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Highland Community — Students at Highland Community score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.4/10.
How Highland Community Compares
See how Highland Community performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 6.6% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 8.85% (2024).
Location
8521 A St., Oakland, CA 94621
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highland Community may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cox Academy (rated 8.0/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Aspire College Academy (rated 7.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, EnCompass Academy Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Oakland, see our Oakland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ILE OMODE Oakland | 0.3 mi | 4.9 |
| EnCompass Academy Elementary Oakland | 0.4 mi | 7.1 |
| ACORN Woodland Elementary Oakland | 0.4 mi | 3.5 |
| East Oakland Pride Elementary Oakland | 0.6 mi | 3.6 |
| Aspire College Academy Oakland | 0.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Markham Elementary Oakland | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Elmhurst United Middle Oakland | 0.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Oakland Unity Middle Oakland | 0.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Aspire Monarch Academy Oakland | 0.9 mi | 2.4 |
| Esperanza Elementary Oakland | 1.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Fred T. Korematsu Discovery Academy Elementary Oakland | 1.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Lockwood STEAM Academy Elementary Oakland | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Castlemont High Oakland | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| LPS Oakland R & D Campus Oakland | 1.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Coliseum College Prep Academy Oakland | 1.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Reach Academy Elementary Oakland | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Lodestar: A Lighthouse Community Charter Public Oakland | 1.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Cox Academy Oakland | 1.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Deecolonize Academy Oakland | 1.1 mi | — |
| Aurum Preparatory Academy Oakland | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94621 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,106
Median Home Value
$537,600
Median Rent
$1,527/mo
Population
34,658
College Educated
12.6%
Homeownership
35%
Avg Commute
28.7 min
Poverty Rate
19.3%
Median Age
33.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highland Community has a median household income of $53,106. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $537,600, with a median rent of $1,527/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.3%. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Albany Park Elementary Delano, CA | 5.3 |
| Alice Birney Elementary Eureka, CA | 5.3 |
| Avondale Elementary La Mesa, CA | 5.3 |
| Belvedere Elementary Highland, CA | 5.3 |
| Benjamin Franklin Elementary La Quinta, CA | 5.3 |
| Bernard L. Hughes Elementary Modesto, CA | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highland Community
What grades does Highland Community serve?
Highland Community serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Highland Community?
Highland Community has an enrollment of approximately 453 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Community?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland Community is 25.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highland Community rank in CA?
Highland Community is ranked #7046 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Highland Community's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Community has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Community?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Community has 7.6% math proficiency and 9.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highland Community a charter school?
No, Highland Community is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highland Community a Title I school?
No, Highland Community is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Community?
99.3% of students at Highland Community qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (9,182/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Oakland). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 453
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 25.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Alameda County
- Phone
- (510) 879-2125
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Oakland Unified- District Enrollment
- 33,916
- Schools in District
- 82
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,181
- District Rank
- #64 of 79
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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