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Average

#4199 of 9,539 schools in CA

Top 44% in state

Highlands Elementary

Elementary School · Saugus Union

27332 Catala Ave., Saugus, CA 91350

Enrollment

583

Student-Teacher

24.3:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#4,199 of 9,539

In Saugus

#4 of 8

public schools

In district

#9 of 15

Saugus Union

Equity

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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Highlands Elementary

6.7/10

Elementary School in Saugus · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Saugus High

7.8/10

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

James Foster Elementary

6.5/10

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

About Highlands Elementary

Highlands Elementary is a public elementary school in Saugus, CA, part of Saugus Union. Highlands Elementary serves approximately 583 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 24.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Highlands Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #4,199 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Highlands Elementary show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 7.0
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Highlands Elementary runs 24.3:1 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-1.1 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.6% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency53.3% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg+5.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.5 pts
Overall Proficiency52% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)57% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,046
Chronic Absenteeism12.3%

Highlands Elementary — Students at Highlands Elementary score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 49.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
38.4% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 54.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.4% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 32 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
61%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
63%
ELA
63%
2011
Math
65%
ELA
70%
2012
Math
65%
ELA
64%
2014
Math
36%
ELA
45%
2015
Math
38%
ELA
49%
2016
Math
35%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
41%
ELA
49%
2018
Math
35%
ELA
46%
2019
Math
35%
ELA
46%
2022
Math
53.4%
ELA
59.5%
2024
Math
51.2%
ELA
53.2%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.1/10.

How Highlands Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
56th percentile in CA
Academic
7.2/10
Very Good
Growth
7.1/10
Very Good
Environment
5.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

27332 Catala Ave., Saugus, CA 91350

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highlands Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Emblem Academy (rated 8.3/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Charles Helmers Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Valencia), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Plum Canyon Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 7.8
James Foster Elementary Saugus 0.8 mi 6.5
Santa Clarita Elementary Saugus 0.7 mi 6.1
Arroyo Seco Junior High Valencia 0.8 mi 7.6
Emblem Academy Saugus 0.9 mi 8.3
Rosedell Elementary Saugus 1.0 mi 6.7
MONTESSORI ON COPPER HILL Santa Clarita 1.4 mi
North Park Elementary Valencia 1.6 mi 6.8
Charles Helmers Elementary Valencia 1.7 mi 7.9
Bridgeport Elementary Valencia 1.8 mi 6.8
Bowman (Jereann) High (Continuation) Santa Clarita 2.1 mi 5.9
Mountainview Elementary Saugus 2.2 mi 5.9
ALPHA-KIDZ INTERNATIONAL Canyon Country 1.9 mi 6.1
Rio Vista Elementary Canyon Country 2.0 mi 6.7
CAlkids Learning Academy Santa Clarita 2.3 mi
CA KIDS LEARNING ACADEMY Santa Clarita 2.3 mi
Mission View Public Lancaster 2.4 mi 4.9
LEGACY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Valencia 2.2 mi 6.2
Plum Canyon Elementary Saugus 2.3 mi 7.5
Valencia High Valencia 2.2 mi 8.1

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Ambler Avenue Elementary Carson, CA 6.7
Amestoy Elementary Gardena, CA 6.7
Anna Kirchgater Elementary Sacramento, CA 6.7
Arroyo Elementary Tustin, CA 6.7
Arthur F. Corey Elementary Buena Park, CA 6.7
Ascot Avenue Elementary Los Angeles, CA 6.7

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 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 ranks #4,199 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Highlands Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Highlands Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 54% 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?

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
24 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
15 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.3%

District

Saugus Union
District Enrollment
9,192
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,046
District Rank
#9 of 15

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