Average
#6245 of 9,533 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
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
446
Student-Teacher
27.9:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In La Mesa
#16 of 27
public schools
California elementary schools
#3,734 of 5,817
In district
#12 of 22
La Mesa-Spring Valley
About Highlands Elementary
Highlands Elementary is a public elementary school located in La Mesa, California, serving students from kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 446 students and a student-teacher ratio of 27.9:1, Highlands offers a learning environment that balances community involvement with educational opportunities. The school has 16 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse student body.
According to MySchoolScout ratings, Highlands Elementary scores a 4.9 out of 10 overall and ranks at the 42nd percentile among California schools, indicating there is room for improvement in academic performance. Specifically, 40% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, while 28% meet proficiency standards in math. Highlands Elementary sits in a large suburban area within San Diego County, providing a safe and comfortable setting for young learners to grow and develop their skills.
The school focuses on fostering a supportive community atmosphere that encourages both students and families to engage actively with the learning process.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary is 27.9:1, 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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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 12 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 Highlands Elementary Compares
See how Highlands Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 35% (2019) to 27.05% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 40% (2019) to 39.67% (2024).
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. Casa de Oro Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Sweetwater Springs Elementary (rated 5.6/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Trust Blended Learning (rated 5.5/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Spring Valley), with a very similar rating. 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 | 5.6 |
| Heartland Christian Homeschool Center, Inc. Spring Valley | 0.5 mi | — |
| Sweetwater Springs Elementary La Mesa | 0.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Fred Finch Youth Center Spring Valley | 0.6 mi | — |
| Casa de Oro Elementary La Mesa | 0.8 mi | 5.7 |
| College Preparatory Middle Spring Valley | 0.8 mi | 8.1 |
| 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 | 5.4 |
| Trust Blended Learning Spring Valley | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| MONTESSORI ACHIEVEMENT CENTRE Spring Valley | 0.8 mi | — |
| Spring Valley Academy Spring Valley | 1.0 mi | 7.6 |
| 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 | 4.6 |
| Avocado Elementary La Mesa | 1.5 mi | 5.2 |
| FRED FINCH YOUTH CENTER NONPUBLIC SCHOOL Spring Valley | 1.5 mi | — |
| Bancroft Elementary La Mesa | 1.7 mi | 5.1 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highlands Elementary has a median household income of $81,262. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $689,300, with a median rent of $1,934/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| ALISO VIEJO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Aliso Viejo, CA | 5.7 |
| Abraham Lincoln Paramount, CA | 5.7 |
| Albert Baxter Elementary Bellflower, CA | 5.7 |
| Alicia Cortez Elementary Chino, CA | 5.7 |
| Ansgar Larsen Elementary Oxnard, CA | 5.7 |
| Arroyo Verde Elementary Highland, CA | 5.7 |
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 is ranked #6245 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Highlands Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Highlands Elementary has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Highlands Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highlands Elementary has 28.2% math proficiency and 39.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,806/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (La Mesa). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (619) 668-5780
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
La Mesa-Spring Valley- District Enrollment
- 10,684
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,802
- District Rank
- #12 of 22
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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- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
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- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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