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#6751 of 9,533 schools in CA

Highland High

High School · Antelope Valley Union High

39055 25th St. West, Palmdale, CA 93551

Enrollment

2,778

Student-Teacher

25.3:1

Score

5.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Palmdale

#23 of 43

public schools

California high schools

#1,450 of 1,892

In district

#9 of 13

Antelope Valley Union High

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Highland High

Highland High serves 2,778 students in grades 9-12 in Palmdale, California, operating as a large comprehensive public high school in Los Angeles County. With 110 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 25.3 to 1, reflecting the substantial enrollment size typical of suburban high schools. Academically, Highland High has significant room for growth, with 42% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts while 13% meet math proficiency standards.

The school ranks in the 22nd percentile statewide, positioning it among California high schools focusing on student development and academic improvement initiatives. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income reaches $107,133 and the median home value is $488,600. About 30% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate remains relatively low at 6.5%.

This ZIP code of 93551 encompasses over 54,000 residents, creating a substantial population base for the school. Highland High operates within Palmdale's large suburban landscape, serving families in an established residential community in the high desert region north of Los Angeles.

What's said publicly about Highland High

Sources: School's website Wikipedia

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.

Highland High School is located in Palmdale, California, and operates as part of the Antelope Valley Union High School District 2 . The district serves approximately 22,000 students across eight comprehensive high schools, three alternative high schools, and an early college high school partnered with Antelope Valley Community College 1 . Highland High School offers various academic and extracurricular programs, including Career Technical Education (CTE) academies designed to prepare students for college and careers 1 . The school provides pathways in the arts, such as dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and media arts, integrating creative standards with career preparation 1 . Additionally, the school participates in CIF-sanctioned athletics, offering diverse sports programs aimed at bridging high school competition with collegiate preparation 1 .
Sources (2)
  1. www.highlandhs.org
  2. en.wikipedia.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

Highland High is a large school with 2,778 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 is 25.3:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress9.0Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.68 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.6Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.7%
Math vs. State Avg-14.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.2 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected-12.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
College Readiness4.0Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation15.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.9Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,701

Highland High — Students at Highland High score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 12.7%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 39.8%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 6 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
12%
ELA
36%
2024
Math
13.1%
ELA
41.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.0/10.

How Highland High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
29th percentile in CA
Academic
4.6/10
4.6/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
62%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
110 teachers

Location

39055 25th St. West, Palmdale, CA 93551

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. PARACLETE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.7/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Lancaster), with a very similar rating. Additionally, R. Rex Parris High (rated 4.5/10, 3.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Palmdale, see our Palmdale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Cottonwood Elementary Palmdale 0.3 mi 7.8
David G. Millen Law and Government Magnet Academy Palmdale 0.4 mi 5.6
Summerwind Elementary Palmdale 1.1 mi 2.7
Stewart Family Homestead Palmdale 1.4 mi
Palmdale Discovery Center Palmdale 1.2 mi 5.2
Ocotillo Elementary Palmdale 1.3 mi 4.9
Dos Caminos Dual Immersion Palmdale 1.3 mi 5.0
Anaverde Hills Palmdale 1.9 mi 6.1
PALMDALE UNITED METHODIST PRESCHOOL-KINDERGARTEN Palmdale 1.6 mi
Esperanza Elementary Palmdale 2.1 mi 5.2
Rancho Vista Elementary Palmdale 2.8 mi 5.3
Hillview Middle Palmdale 2.7 mi 6.9
Palmdale Learning Plaza Palmdale 2.9 mi 7.2
Yucca Elementary Palmdale 2.8 mi 3.6
CROSSWIND COMM CHURCH-ADVENTURELAND PRESCHOOL Palmdale 3.3 mi
Palm Tree Elementary Palmdale 3.3 mi 6.6
R. Rex Parris High Palmdale 3.2 mi 4.5
Paraclete High School Lancaster 3.9 mi
PARACLETE HIGH SCHOOL Lancaster 3.9 mi 5.7
Gregg Anderson Academy Palmdale 3.5 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 93551 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$110,850

Median Home Value

$548,800

Median Rent

$2,263/mo

Population

54,956

College Educated

30.1%

Homeownership

77.2%

Avg Commute

36 min

Poverty Rate

6.6%

Median Age

37.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Highland High has a median household income of $110,850. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $548,800, with a median rent of $2,263/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Adelanto High Adelanto, CA 5.4
Antioch High Antioch, CA 5.4
Bear Creek High Stockton, CA 5.4
Brawley Union High Brawley, CA 5.4
Burbank High Burbank, CA 5.4
Ceres High Ceres, CA 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland High

What grades does Highland High serve?

Highland High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Highland High?

Highland High has an enrollment of approximately 2,778 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland High?

The student-teacher ratio at Highland High is 25.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highland High rank in CA?

Highland High is ranked #6751 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Highland High's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland High has a composite rating of 5.4 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?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland High has 12.7% math proficiency and 39.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Highland High a charter school?

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

Is Highland High a Title I school?

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

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

62.0% of students at Highland High 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
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,441/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Palmdale). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,778
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
110
Free/Reduced Lunch
62.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Los Angeles County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Antelope Valley Union High
District Enrollment
21,737
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,984
District Rank
#9 of 13

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 methodology

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