Very Good
#2144 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 23% in state
Highlands Elementary
Elementary School · Saugus Union
27332 Catala Ave., Saugus, CA 91350
Enrollment
583
Student-Teacher
24.3:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
583
Student-Teacher
24.3:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Saugus
#3 of 8
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,491 of 5,817
In district
#7 of 15
Saugus Union
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Highlands Elementary
Highlands Elementary serves 583 students in kindergarten through sixth grade in Saugus, California, with a student-teacher ratio of 24.3:1 and 24 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school has earned a solid reputation, ranking #2141 out of 9,566 California elementary schools, placing it in the 78th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10. Academically, Highlands Elementary demonstrates strong performance with 52% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 48% meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics.
The school's academic score of 7.8 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence and student achievement. The school draws from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $137,626 and home values average $684,300. With 41% of local residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of just 6.4%, the surrounding neighborhood provides strong educational support and resources for student success.
Highlands Elementary operates within a large suburban setting in Los Angeles County, offering students the benefits of a well-established community with access to the broader educational and cultural opportunities that the greater Los Angeles area provides.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary is 24.3:1, 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 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.2%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.8/10.
How Highlands Elementary Compares
See how Highlands Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 35% (2019) to 51.56% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 46% (2019) to 53.29% (2024).
Location
27332 Catala Ave., Saugus, CA 91350
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highlands Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Charles Helmers Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Valencia), which scores slightly higher. Another option is North Park Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Valencia), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Emblem Academy (rated 7.8/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Saugus, see our Saugus schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Saugus High Saugus | 0.3 mi | 6.4 |
| James Foster Elementary Saugus | 0.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Santa Clarita Elementary Saugus | 0.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Arroyo Seco Junior High Valencia | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Emblem Academy Saugus | 0.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Rosedell Elementary Saugus | 1.0 mi | 7.7 |
| MONTESSORI ON COPPER HILL Santa Clarita | 1.4 mi | — |
| North Park Elementary Valencia | 1.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Charles Helmers Elementary Valencia | 1.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Bridgeport Elementary Valencia | 1.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Bowman (Jereann) High (Continuation) Santa Clarita | 2.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Mountainview Elementary Saugus | 2.2 mi | 7.4 |
| ALPHA-KIDZ INTERNATIONAL Canyon Country | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Rio Vista Elementary Canyon Country | 2.0 mi | 7.6 |
| CAlkids Learning Academy Santa Clarita | 2.3 mi | — |
| CA KIDS LEARNING ACADEMY Santa Clarita | 2.3 mi | — |
| Mission View Public Lancaster | 2.4 mi | 5.8 |
| LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Valencia | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Plum Canyon Elementary Saugus | 2.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Valencia High Valencia | 2.2 mi | 8.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 91350 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$135,612
Median Home Value
$733,000
Median Rent
$2,485/mo
Population
43,621
College Educated
40.7%
Homeownership
82.4%
Avg Commute
34.9 min
Poverty Rate
6.4%
Median Age
38
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highlands Elementary has a median household income of $135,612. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $733,000, with a median rent of $2,485/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 35 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 |
|---|---|
| A. M. Winn Waldorf-Inspired Sacramento, CA | 7.6 |
| Ada S. Nelson Elementary Whittier, CA | 7.6 |
| Allan Orrenmaa Elementary Riverside, CA | 7.6 |
| Arlington Elementary Torrance, CA | 7.6 |
| Ashley Falls Elementary San Diego, CA | 7.6 |
| Baldy View Elementary Upland, CA | 7.6 |
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 583 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary is 24.3:1. 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 #2144 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Highlands Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Highlands Elementary has a composite rating of 7.6 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 48.5% math proficiency and 52.0% 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?
30.2% 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 583
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Phone
- (661) 294-5320
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Saugus Union- District Enrollment
- 9,192
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,046
- District Rank
- #7 of 15
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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