Below Average
#7956 of 9,539 schools in CA
Highlands Elementary
Elementary School · La Mesa-Spring Valley
4750 Date Ave., La Mesa, CA 91942
Enrollment
446
Student-Teacher
27.9:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
446
Student-Teacher
27.9:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
California schools
#7,956 of 9,539
In La Mesa
#18 of 27
public schools
In district
#15 of 22
La Mesa-Spring Valley
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Highlands Elementary
Elementary School in La Mesa · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Elevation of Wolves Academy
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Monte Vista High
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Highlands Elementary
Highlands Elementary is a public elementary school in La Mesa, CA, part of La Mesa-Spring Valley. Highlands Elementary serves approximately 446 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 27.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Highlands Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #7,956 of 9,539 schools in CA.
Structured state assessment records for Highlands Elementary show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.5 · Below Average
- District avg 5.1
- CA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Highlands Elementary runs 27.9:1 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.
41% of students at Highlands 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Highlands Elementary — Students at Highlands Elementary score 33% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 32 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: 4.3/10.
How Highlands Elementary Compares
See how Highlands Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
4750 Date Ave., La Mesa, CA 91942
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highlands Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Murdock Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sweetwater Springs Elementary (rated 5.9/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Trust Blended Learning (rated 5.6/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Spring Valley), which scores notably higher. For more schools in La Mesa, see our La Mesa schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Elevation of Wolves Academy Spring Valley | 0.5 mi | — |
| Monte Vista High Spring Valley | 0.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Heartland Christian Homeschool Center, Inc. Spring Valley | 0.5 mi | — |
| Sweetwater Springs Elementary La Mesa | 0.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Fred Finch Youth Center Spring Valley | 0.6 mi | — |
| Casa de Oro Elementary La Mesa | 0.8 mi | 4.1 |
| College Preparatory Middle Spring Valley | 0.8 mi | 9.1 |
| SANTA SOPHIA ACADEMY Spring Valley | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Santa Sophia Academy Spring Valley | 0.9 mi | — |
| Loma Elementary La Mesa | 0.8 mi | 3.9 |
| Trust Blended Learning Spring Valley | 0.8 mi | 5.6 |
| MONTESSORI ACHIEVEMENT CENTRE Spring Valley | 0.8 mi | — |
| Spring Valley Academy Spring Valley | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Bottles to Books Primary School Spring Valley | 1.3 mi | — |
| Take wing high school Spring Valley | 1.3 mi | — |
| Murdock Elementary La Mesa | 1.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Avocado Elementary La Mesa | 1.5 mi | 4.3 |
| FRED FINCH YOUTH CENTER NONPUBLIC SCHOOL Spring Valley | 1.5 mi | — |
| Bancroft Elementary La Mesa | 1.7 mi | 2.8 |
| TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Spring Valley | 1.8 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 91942 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,262
Median Home Value
$689,300
Median Rent
$1,934/mo
Population
40,920
College Educated
38.2%
Homeownership
44%
Avg Commute
24.7 min
Poverty Rate
12.7%
Median Age
37.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Allen (Decima M.) Elementary San Bruno, CA | 4.5 |
| Anna Hause Elementary Beaumont, CA | 4.5 |
| Bandini Elementary City Of Commerce, CA | 4.5 |
| Barbara Benson Elementary Tustin, CA | 4.5 |
| Barrett Elementary Morgan Hill, CA | 4.5 |
| Beckman Elementary Lodi, CA | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highlands Elementary
What grades does Highlands Elementary serve?
Highlands Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Highlands Elementary?
Highlands Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 446 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary is 27.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highlands Elementary rank in CA?
Highlands Elementary ranks #7,956 of 9,539 schools in CA.
What is Highlands Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Highlands Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Highlands Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Highlands Elementary has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Highlands Elementary a charter school?
No, Highlands Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highlands Elementary a Title I school?
No, Highlands Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highlands Elementary?
77.6% of students at Highlands 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 446
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 27.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 77.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- San Diego County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 41.0%
- Phone
- (619) 668-5780
Resources & Links
District
La Mesa-Spring Valley- District Enrollment
- 10,684
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,802
- District Rank
- #15 of 22
How we rate schools
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