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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+2.34 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics7.1Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency53.3%
Math vs. State Avg+5.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.5 pts
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected-5.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.0Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,538

Highlands Elementary — Students at Highlands Elementary score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

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 48.5%
School
State
38.4%
ELA Proficiency 52.0%
School
State
45.4%

Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
35%
ELA
46%
2024
Math
51.2%
ELA
53.2%

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.

Overall Score
7.6/10
78th percentile in CA
Academic
7.1/10
7.1/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
3.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
24 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
15 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (245/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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