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Below Average

#7992 of 9,539 schools in CA

Highlands Elementary

Elementary School · Pittsburg Unified

4141 Harbor St., Pittsburg, CA 94565

Enrollment

473

Student-Teacher

23.6:1

Score

4.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#7,992 of 9,539

In Pittsburg

#8 of 15

public schools

In district

#7 of 13

Pittsburg Unified

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Highlands Elementary

4.5/10

Elementary School in Pittsburg · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hillview Junior High

4.2/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Foothill Elementary

5.5/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Highlands Elementary

Highlands Elementary is a public elementary school in Pittsburg, CA, part of Pittsburg Unified. Highlands Elementary serves approximately 473 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 23.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Highlands Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #7,992 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Highlands Elementary show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.3
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Highlands Elementary runs 23.6:1 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.

48% 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 metrics
Student Progress5.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.54 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14.4% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-31.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.1 pts
Overall Proficiency19% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)31% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-12.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,044
Chronic Absenteeism48%

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 24.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
39.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 30.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.3% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 30 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
40%
ELA
36%
2010
Math
40%
ELA
34%
2011
Math
48%
ELA
45%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
40%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2015
Math
19%
ELA
35%
2016
Math
20%
ELA
25%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
38%
2018
Math
23%
ELA
33%
2019
Math
23%
ELA
33%
2022
Math
16.7%
ELA
20.2%
2024
Math
14.4%
ELA
22.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.7/10.

How Highlands Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.5/10
16th percentile in CA
Academic
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.7/10
Average
Environment
2.9/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.0%

Location

4141 Harbor St., Pittsburg, CA 94565

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highlands Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST PETER MARTYR (rated 5.8/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Foothill Elementary (rated 5.5/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Marina Vista Elementary (rated 4.8/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 4.2
Foothill Elementary Pittsburg 0.6 mi 5.5
Golden Gate Community Pittsburg 0.7 mi 6.0
Black Diamond High (Continuation) Pittsburg 0.8 mi 6.3
Spectrum Center Delta Campus Pittsburg 1.0 mi
Heights Elementary Pittsburg 0.9 mi 3.7
Stoneman Elementary Pittsburg 0.9 mi 3.2
Pittsburg Senior High Pittsburg 1.5 mi 5.1
Destiny Academy Pittsburg 1.2 mi
Martin Luther King Jr. Junior High Pittsburg 1.4 mi 5.0
Los Medanos Elementary Pittsburg 1.5 mi 4.0
Parkside Elementary Pittsburg 1.8 mi 4.2
Marina Vista Elementary Pittsburg 2.1 mi 4.8
Rancho Medanos Junior High Pittsburg 1.9 mi 6.4
Turner Elementary Antioch 1.9 mi 4.2
CCCOE Special Education Programs Antioch 1.9 mi 4.0
ST PETER MARTYR Pittsburg 2.4 mi 5.8
St. Peter Martyr Elementary Pittsburg 2.4 mi
Willow Cove Elementary Pittsburg 2.8 mi 4.5
Mission Elementary Antioch 2.9 mi 3.9

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Allen (Decima M.) Elementary San Bruno, CA 4.5
Andrew Jackson Elementary Selma, CA 4.5
Anna Hause Elementary Beaumont, 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 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 ranks #7,992 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 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 30% 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?

77.2% 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

Walk Score
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.0%

District

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

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