Needs Improvement
#9507 of 9,539 schools in CA
Highland Community
Elementary School · Oakland Unified
8521 A St., Oakland, CA 94621
Enrollment
453
Student-Teacher
25.2:1
Score
2.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
453
Student-Teacher
25.2:1
Score
2.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#9,507 of 9,539
In Oakland
#143 of 147
public schools
In district
#77 of 79
Oakland Unified
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Highland Community
Elementary School in Oakland · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Ile Omode
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Encompass Academy Elementary
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Highland Community
Highland Community is a public elementary school in Oakland, CA, part of Oakland Unified. Highland Community serves approximately 453 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 25.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland Community has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.2 out of 10 and ranks #9,507 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Highland Community show 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 17% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 2.2 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.5
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Highland Community runs 25.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
81% of students at Highland Community 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.1/10.
How Highland Community Compares
See how Highland Community performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 8.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Aspire College Academy (rated 7.0/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Reach Academy Elementary (rated 5.5/10, 1.0 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 | 2.8 |
| ACORN Woodland Elementary Oakland | 0.4 mi | 2.9 |
| East Oakland Pride Elementary Oakland | 0.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Aspire College Academy Oakland | 0.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Markham Elementary Oakland | 0.9 mi | 2.7 |
| Elmhurst United Middle Oakland | 0.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Oakland Unity Middle Oakland | 0.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Aspire Monarch Academy Oakland | 0.9 mi | 2.4 |
| Esperanza Elementary Oakland | 1.0 mi | 3.1 |
| Fred T. Korematsu Discovery Academy Elementary Oakland | 1.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Lockwood STEAM Academy Elementary Oakland | 1.0 mi | 3.4 |
| Castlemont High Oakland | 1.0 mi | 4.3 |
| LPS Oakland R & D Campus Oakland | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Coliseum College Prep Academy Oakland | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Reach Academy Elementary Oakland | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Lodestar: A Lighthouse Community Charter Public Oakland | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Cox Academy Oakland | 1.0 mi | 8.3 |
| Deecolonize Academy Oakland | 1.1 mi | — |
| Aurum Preparatory Academy Oakland | 1.0 mi | 7.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Aspire East Palo Alto Charter Oakland, CA | 2.2 |
| Kelso (William H.) Elementary Inglewood, CA | 2.2 |
| Montara Elementary Barstow, CA | 2.2 |
| Stockton Collegiate International Elementary Stockton, CA | 2.2 |
| Voices College-Bound Language Academy San Jose, CA | 2.2 |
| Bannon Creek Sacramento, CA | 2.3 |
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 ranks #9,507 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Highland Community's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Community has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.2 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 Community?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Community has 18% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 17% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 80.8%
- Phone
- (510) 879-2125
Resources & Links
District
Oakland Unified- District Enrollment
- 33,916
- Schools in District
- 82
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,181
- District Rank
- #77 of 79
Other Schools in This District
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