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Below Average

#8708 of 9,533 schools in CA

Highlands Elementary

Elementary School · Pittsburg Unified

4141 Harbor St., Pittsburg, CA 94565

Enrollment

473

Student-Teacher

23.6:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pittsburg

#14 of 15

public schools

California elementary schools

#5,198 of 5,817

In district

#12 of 13

Pittsburg Unified

About Highlands Elementary

Highlands Elementary is a regular public school in Pittsburg, California, located on Harbor Street. The school serves kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 473 students with a student-teacher ratio of 23.6:1. With 20 full-time equivalent teachers, Highlands Elementary focuses on providing education in a suburban setting.

Academically, the school ranks #8776 out of 9566 schools in California, placing it in the 8th percentile. The MySchoolScout rating is 2.9 out of 10, with an academic score of 2.4 out of 10. In ELA/Reading, 25% of students are proficient or above, and in Math, 16% are proficient or above.

While these numbers suggest room for improvement, Highlands Elementary is committed to supporting the development of each student. Highlands Elementary is situated in a large suburban area where families can find a supportive community atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary is 23.6:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.89 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22.7%
Math vs. State Avg-31.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.1 pts
Overall Proficiency19%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-12.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,498

Highlands Elementary — Students at Highlands Elementary score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 16.1%
School
State
39.4%
ELA Proficiency 24.7%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
23%
ELA
33%
2024
Math
14.4%
ELA
22.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.2/10.

How Highlands Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
9th percentile in CA
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

4141 Harbor St., Pittsburg, CA 94565

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highlands Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Heights Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Foothill Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Marina Vista Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pittsburg, see our Pittsburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Hillview Junior High Pittsburg 0.4 mi 5.2
Foothill Elementary Pittsburg 0.6 mi 7.0
Golden Gate Community Pittsburg 0.7 mi 5.9
Black Diamond High (Continuation) Pittsburg 0.8 mi 6.3
Spectrum Center Delta Campus Pittsburg 1.0 mi
Heights Elementary Pittsburg 0.9 mi 7.6
Stoneman Elementary Pittsburg 0.9 mi 4.8
Pittsburg Senior High Pittsburg 1.5 mi 5.9
Destiny Academy Pittsburg 1.2 mi
Martin Luther King Jr. Junior High Pittsburg 1.4 mi 6.4
Los Medanos Elementary Pittsburg 1.5 mi 4.1
Parkside Elementary Pittsburg 1.8 mi 5.1
Marina Vista Elementary Pittsburg 2.1 mi 6.7
Rancho Medanos Junior High Pittsburg 1.9 mi 4.6
Turner Elementary Antioch 1.9 mi 4.4
CCCOE Special Education Programs Antioch 1.9 mi 6.5
ST PETER MARTYR Pittsburg 2.4 mi 5.8
St. Peter Martyr Elementary Pittsburg 2.4 mi
Willow Cove Elementary Pittsburg 2.8 mi 4.7
Mission Elementary Antioch 2.9 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94565 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$95,035

Median Home Value

$563,300

Median Rent

$2,145/mo

Population

99,933

College Educated

21.6%

Homeownership

60.2%

Avg Commute

38 min

Poverty Rate

11.6%

Median Age

35

Community Profile

The community surrounding Highlands Elementary has a median household income of $95,035. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $563,300, with a median rent of $2,145/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. The average commute in the area is 38 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
Aspire River Oaks Charter Oakland, CA 4.2
Barack Obama Charter Los Angeles, CA 4.2
Cesar E. Chavez Elementary Richmond, CA 4.2
Chico Country Day Chico, CA 4.2
Costano Elementary East Palo Alto, CA 4.2
Cyril Spinelli Elementary Antelope, CA 4.2

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 473 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary is 23.6:1. 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 #8708 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Highlands Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Highlands Elementary has a composite rating of 4.2 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 16.1% math proficiency and 24.7% 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?

77.2% 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,618/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
473
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Contra Costa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pittsburg Unified
District Enrollment
10,709
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,044
District Rank
#12 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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