Below Average
#7928 of 9,533 schools in CA
Highlands Elementary
Elementary School · Mt. Diablo Unified
1326 Pennsylvania Blvd., Concord, CA 94521
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher
26.4:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher
26.4:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Concord
#16 of 23
public schools
California elementary schools
#4,704 of 5,817
In district
#35 of 47
Mt. Diablo Unified
About Highlands Elementary
Highlands Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Concord, California, within Contra Costa County. Situated at 1326 Pennsylvania Boulevard, the school serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 502 students and a student-teacher ratio of 26.4:1, Highlands Elementary provides a supportive learning environment with 19 full-time equivalent teachers.
The school’s academic performance shows room for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and state ranking of #4207 among 9566 schools in California. However, the ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 52%, with a similar percentage proficient or above in Math. These scores suggest that while there is ongoing work to be done, Highlands Elementary continues to focus on student development and academic growth.
Highlands Elementary is set in a large suburban area, offering students access to a variety of community resources and activities. The school’s setting contributes to a vibrant learning environment where children can thrive both academically and socially.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary is 26.4:1, 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
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Highlands Elementary — Students at Highlands Elementary score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 68%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
12.9%
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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 4.9/10.
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 54% (2019) to 50.41% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 59% (2019) to 48.76% (2024).
Location
1326 Pennsylvania Blvd., Concord, CA 94521
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highlands Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mt. Diablo Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Clayton), which scores notably higher. Another option is KINGS VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mountain View Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Concord, see our Concord schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pine Hollow Middle Concord | 0.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Clayton Valley Charter High Concord | 0.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Hope Academy for Dyslexics Concord | 1.1 mi | — |
| HOPE ACADEMY FOR DYSLEXICS Concord | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Mt. Diablo Elementary Clayton | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| STEP BY STEP MONTESSORI SCHOOL Concord | 1.4 mi | — |
| Ayers Elementary Concord | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| MYRTLE FARM MONTESSORI SCHOOL Concord | 1.8 mi | — |
| Silverwood Elementary Concord | 1.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Voyager Academy Concord | 1.9 mi | — |
| ANGELS MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL Concord | 1.9 mi | — |
| Mountain View Elementary Concord | 2.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Diablo View Middle Clayton | 2.1 mi | 7.2 |
| WOOD ROSE ACADEMY Concord | 2.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Wood Rose Academy Concord | 2.4 mi | — |
| Tabernacle Christian, Inc. Concord | 2.7 mi | — |
| TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS, INC. Concord | 2.7 mi | 5.4 |
| King's Valley Christian School Concord | 2.6 mi | — |
| KINGS VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Concord | 2.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Concord High Concord | 3.0 mi | 5.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 94521 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$127,312
Median Home Value
$823,100
Median Rent
$2,388/mo
Population
41,118
College Educated
44%
Homeownership
73.3%
Avg Commute
32.5 min
Poverty Rate
5.6%
Median Age
43
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highlands Elementary has a median household income of $127,312. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $823,100, with a median rent of $2,388/month. The local poverty rate of 5.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Almond Elementary Fontana, CA | 4.8 |
| Avalon Elementary Perris, CA | 4.8 |
| Baldwin Academy La Puente, CA | 4.8 |
| Banyan Elementary Alta Loma, CA | 4.8 |
| Beamer Elementary Woodland, CA | 4.8 |
| Bryant Elementary Riverside, CA | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highlands Elementary
What grades does Highlands Elementary serve?
Highlands Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Highlands Elementary?
Highlands Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 502 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary is 26.4:1. 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 #7928 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Highlands Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Highlands Elementary has a composite rating of 4.8 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 52.1% math proficiency and 52.1% 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?
12.9% 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 (3,431/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Concord). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 502
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 26.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 12.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Contra Costa County
- Phone
- (925) 672-5252
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mt. Diablo Unified- District Enrollment
- 29,356
- Schools in District
- 52
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,421
- District Rank
- #35 of 47
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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