Average
#1333 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
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
432
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Colorado elementary schools
#766 of 1,006
In district
#2 of 3
Weld County School District No. Re-9
About Highland Elementary School
Highland Elementary School is a rural public school located in Pierce, Colorado. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, Highland Elementary has an enrollment of 432 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16:1 with 27 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.2 out of 10, placing it in the 15th percentile among Colorado schools.
Academically, Highland Elementary has an overall score of 2.6/10 and shows that only 24% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 21% meet or exceed proficiency standards in math. Despite these challenges, the school is focused on providing a supportive learning environment for its students. Highland Elementary aims to strengthen its academic programs and ensure that each child receives personalized attention from dedicated teachers.
Highland Elementary School sits in a rural setting, offering a close-knit community atmosphere where families are closely involved with their children's education.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Highland Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Highland Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Highland Elementary School — Students at Highland Elementary School score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
51.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CO CMAS (2024-25)
Based on 11 test records from CO state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.7/10.
How Highland Elementary School Compares
See how Highland Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 21% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 20.83% (2025).
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 8.8/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Galeton), which scores notably higher. Another option is S. Christa McAuliffe STEM Academy (rated 7.8/10, 14.6 miles away, in nearby Greeley), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Benjamin Eaton Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Eaton), 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 | 4.8 |
| Highland Middle School Ault | 4.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Eaton High School Eaton | 7.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Eaton Elementary School Eaton | 7.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Eaton Middle School Eaton | 8.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Benjamin Eaton Elementary School Eaton | 8.2 mi | 7.7 |
| NORTHERN COLORADO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Eaton | 8.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Range View Elementary Severance | 10.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Severance High School Severance | 10.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Severance Middle School Severance | 11.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Platte Valley Youth Services Center Greeley | 13.2 mi | — |
| Winograd K-8 Elementary School Greeley | 14.1 mi | 3.7 |
| Galeton Elementary School Galeton | 12.1 mi | 8.8 |
| Northridge High School Greeley | 14.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Windsor Charter Academy Elementary School Windsor | 13.3 mi | 6.5 |
| S. Christa McAuliffe STEM Academy Greeley | 14.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Shawsheen Elementary School Greeley | 14.7 mi | 5.3 |
| James Madison STEAM Academy Greeley | 14.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Windsor Charter Academy Early College High School Windsor | 13.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Windsor Charter Academy Middle School Windsor | 13.6 mi | 8.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highland Elementary School has a median household income of $56,667. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $310,800, with a median rent of $1,125/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 38 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 |
|---|---|
| Antelope Ridge Elementary School Aurora, CO | 5.3 |
| Bacon Elementary School Fort Collins, CO | 5.3 |
| Center for Talent Development at Greenlee Denver, CO | 5.3 |
| Force Elementary School Denver, CO | 5.3 |
| Holyoke Elementary School Holyoke, CO | 5.3 |
| Iowa Elementary School Aurora, CO | 5.3 |
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 is ranked #1333 out of 1,815 schools in CO.
What is Highland Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Highland Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Elementary School has 21.3% math proficiency and 24.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (264/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (970) 834-2853
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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
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
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.