Skip to main content

Below Average

#1527 of 1,815 schools in CO

Highland Elementary School

Elementary School · Weld County School District No. Re-9

P O BOX 39, Pierce, CO 80650

Enrollment

432

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

4.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Colorado schools

#1,527 of 1,815

In district

#2 of 3

Weld County School District No. Re-9

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Highland Elementary School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Highland Elementary School

4.3/10

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

Highland High School

6.4/10

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

Highland Middle School

3.9/10

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

About Highland Elementary School

Highland Elementary School is a public elementary school in Pierce, CO, part of Weld County School District No. Re-9. Highland Elementary School serves approximately 432 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio.

Highland Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,527 of 1,815 schools in CO. Structured state assessment records for Highland Elementary School show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.0 pts below CO schools
  • This school 4.3 · Below Average
  • CO avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Highland Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

42% of students at Highland Elementary School 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 Progress4.4Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.07 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29.3% (2025 CMAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency20.8% (2025 CMAS)
Math vs. State Avg-13.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24.1 pts
Overall Proficiency25% (2025 CMAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2025 CMAS)
vs. Expected-11.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,220
Chronic Absenteeism41.7%

Highland Elementary School — Students at Highland Elementary School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 35.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.4% (2025 CMAS)
ELA Proficiency 38.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.9% (2025 CMAS)

Based on 33 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
50%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
21%
ELA
30%
2019
Math
21%
ELA
30%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
17%
2025
Math
29.3%
ELA
20.3%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.4/10.

How Highland Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.3/10
16th percentile in CO
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
4.4/10
Below Average
Environment
4.1/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
41.7%

Location

P O BOX 39, Pierce, CO 80650

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Galeton Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Galeton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eaton Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Eaton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Windsor Charter Academy Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Windsor), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pierce, see our Pierce schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Highland High School Ault 4.1 mi 6.4
Highland Middle School Ault 4.1 mi 3.9
Eaton High School Eaton 7.9 mi 7.9
Eaton Elementary School Eaton 7.9 mi 8.1
Eaton Middle School Eaton 8.0 mi 5.9
Benjamin Eaton Elementary School Eaton 8.2 mi 7.6
NORTHERN COLORADO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Eaton 8.5 mi 6.5
Range View Elementary Severance 10.1 mi 6.3
Severance High School Severance 10.7 mi 5.0
Severance Middle School Severance 11.4 mi 5.3
Platte Valley Youth Services Center Greeley 13.2 mi
Winograd K-8 Elementary School Greeley 14.1 mi 4.5
Galeton Elementary School Galeton 12.1 mi 8.5
Northridge High School Greeley 14.3 mi 6.3
Windsor Charter Academy Elementary School Windsor 13.3 mi 7.9
S. Christa McAuliffe STEM Academy Greeley 14.6 mi 6.1
Shawsheen Elementary School Greeley 14.7 mi 3.0
James Madison STEAM Academy Greeley 14.7 mi 4.4
Windsor Charter Academy Early College High School Windsor 13.6 mi 8.5
Windsor Charter Academy Middle School Windsor 13.6 mi 9.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80650 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,667

Median Home Value

$310,800

Median Rent

$1,125/mo

Population

1,992

College Educated

18.9%

Homeownership

88.6%

Avg Commute

37.7 min

Poverty Rate

27.9%

Median Age

41

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Beaver Valley Elementary School Brush, CO 4.3
Central Elementary School Commerce City, CO 4.3
Holyoke Elementary School Holyoke, CO 4.3
Monroe Elementary School Colorado Springs, CO 4.3
Prairie Winds Elementary School Pueblo West, CO 4.3
Thunder Mountain Elementary School Grand Junction, CO 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland Elementary School

What grades does Highland Elementary School serve?

Highland Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Highland Elementary School?

Highland Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 432 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary School is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highland Elementary School rank in CO?

Highland Elementary School ranks #1,527 of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Highland Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 Highland Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Elementary School has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Highland Elementary School a charter school?

No, Highland Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Highland Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Highland Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Elementary School?

51.6% of students at Highland Elementary School 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
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
432
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
51.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Weld County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
41.7%

District

Weld County School District No. Re-9
District Enrollment
960
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,220
District Rank
#2 of 3

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.