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Needs Improvement

#9412 of 9,539 schools in CA

Highland Elementary

Elementary School · Riverside Unified

700 Highlander Dr., Riverside, CA 92507

Enrollment

664

Student-Teacher

22.1:1

Score

2.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#9,412 of 9,539

In Riverside

#78 of 78

public schools

In district

#48 of 48

Riverside Unified

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Highland Elementary

2.7/10

Elementary School in Riverside · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Uc Riverside Early Childhood Services

Nearby

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

Reach Leadership Steam Academy

7.3/10

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

About Highland Elementary

Highland Elementary is a public elementary school in Riverside, CA, part of Riverside Unified. Highland Elementary serves approximately 664 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 22.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.7 out of 10 and ranks #9,412 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Highland Elementary show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.6 pts below district
  • This school 2.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.3
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Highland Elementary runs 22.1:1 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.

48% of students at Highland Elementary 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 Progress2.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.86 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.2Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-28.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.7 pts
Overall Proficiency20% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-18.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
Resources & Environment3.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,005
Chronic Absenteeism48.3%

Highland Elementary — Students at Highland Elementary score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 30.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 33.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 38 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
54%
ELA
45%
2010
Math
59%
ELA
48%
2011
Math
58%
ELA
51%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
49%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2014
Math
21%
ELA
29%
2015
Math
21%
ELA
33%
2016
Math
16%
ELA
28%
2017
Math
18%
ELA
29%
2018
Math
20%
ELA
30%
2019
Math
20%
ELA
30%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
17.2%
ELA
26.2%
2024
Math
17%
ELA
21.9%

* 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: 2.1/10.

How Highland Elementary Compares

See how Highland Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.7/10
1th percentile in CA
Academic
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.3%

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

700 Highlander Dr., Riverside, CA 92507

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ISLAMIC ACADEMY OF RIVERSIDE (rated 7.6/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is REACH Leadership STEAM Academy (rated 7.3/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Riverside, see our Riverside schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
UC RIVERSIDE EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES Riverside 0.2 mi
REACH Leadership STEAM Academy Riverside 0.5 mi 7.3
University Heights Middle Riverside 0.5 mi 5.2
ISLAMIC ACADEMY OF RIVERSIDE Riverside 0.6 mi 7.6
Islamic Academy of Riverside Riverside 0.6 mi
John W. North High Riverside 1.1 mi 5.7
Stone Ridge Academy Riverside Riverside 1.1 mi
Riverside STEM Academy Riverside 1.4 mi 7.6
Highgrove Elementary Riverside 2.0 mi 4.0
KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER Riverside 2.1 mi
Emerson Elementary Riverside 2.0 mi 3.6
Longfellow Elementary Riverside 1.9 mi 5.6
Grand Terrace High Sch at the Ray Abril Jr. Edal Complex Grand Terrace 2.4 mi 7.9
Fremont Elementary Riverside 2.2 mi 5.4
Abraham Lincoln Continuation Riverside 2.5 mi 6.6
Seneca Elementary Moreno Valley 3.0 mi 5.8
ST FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL Riverside 2.7 mi 6.1
Terrace Hills Middle Grand Terrace 3.2 mi 4.6
Immanuel Lutheran Elementary Riverside 3.0 mi
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Riverside 3.0 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 92507 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,367

Median Home Value

$503,000

Median Rent

$1,780/mo

Population

61,920

College Educated

32%

Homeownership

35.3%

Avg Commute

28.2 min

Poverty Rate

20.3%

Median Age

27

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alpha: Blanca Alvarado San Jose, CA 2.7
Blue Oak Academy Visalia, CA 2.7
Calimesa Elementary Yucaipa, CA 2.7
Cesar E. Chavez Elementary Richmond, CA 2.7
Christopher Elementary San Jose, CA 2.7
E. Ruth Sheldon Academy of Innovative Learning Fairfield, CA 2.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland Elementary

What grades does Highland Elementary serve?

Highland Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Highland Elementary?

Highland Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 664 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary is 22.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highland Elementary rank in CA?

Highland Elementary ranks #9,412 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Highland Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.7 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 Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Elementary has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Highland Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Highland Elementary a Title I school?

No, Highland Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Elementary?

64.3% of students at Highland Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
33 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
38 Some Transit
Bike Score
85 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
664
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Riverside County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.3%

District

Riverside Unified
District Enrollment
38,855
Schools in District
49
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,005
District Rank
#48 of 48

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