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Below Average

#1500 of 1,815 schools in CO

Highland High School

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

P O BOX 1390, Ault, CO 80610

Enrollment

291

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

4.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ault

#2 of 2

public schools

Colorado high schools

#330 of 403

In district

#3 of 3

Weld County School District No. Re-9

School environment

7.4 / 10

Strong

About Highland High School

Highland High School is a rural high school located in Ault, Colorado. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 291 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.7:1 with 23 full-time equivalent teachers. Highland High School focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment where students can grow both academically and personally.

According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, the school has received a score of 5.3 out of 10, placing it at the 48th percentile among Colorado schools with a state ranking of #956 out of 1831 high schools. Highland High School's academic performance shows that 56% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading and 29% are proficient or above in math, indicating areas where the school is working to improve. Highland High School is situated in a rural area, offering students a close-knit community with strong connections between staff, students, and families.

The setting provides a unique blend of academic challenge and small-town support, making it an ideal place for high school students to thrive.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Highland High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.8Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.8 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected-1.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
College Readiness3.1Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,570

Highland High School — Students at Highland High School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 28.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 55.8%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from CO state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
37%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
54.5%
2022
Math
24.5%

* 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: 2.8/10.

How Highland High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
17th percentile in CO
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
2.8/10
Below average
Environment
7.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

Location

P O BOX 1390, Ault, CO 80610

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Northridge High School (rated 6.1/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Greeley), which scores notably higher. Another option is Severance High School (rated 5.4/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Severance), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Eaton High School (rated 5.3/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Eaton), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Ault, see our Ault schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Highland Middle School Ault 0.0 mi 6.3
Eaton Elementary School Eaton 3.8 mi 7.1
Eaton High School Eaton 3.9 mi 5.3
Eaton Middle School Eaton 3.9 mi 5.3
Benjamin Eaton Elementary School Eaton 4.1 mi 7.7
Highland Elementary School Pierce 4.1 mi 5.3
NORTHERN COLORADO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Eaton 4.4 mi 6.5
Platte Valley Youth Services Center Greeley 9.1 mi
Severance High School Severance 8.1 mi 5.4
Range View Elementary Severance 8.0 mi 6.4
James Madison STEAM Academy Greeley 10.6 mi 4.5
Winograd K-8 Elementary School Greeley 10.4 mi 3.7
Martinez Elementary School Greeley 10.6 mi 5.0
Shawsheen Elementary School Greeley 10.7 mi 5.3
S. Christa McAuliffe STEM Academy Greeley 10.7 mi 7.8
Severance Middle School Severance 9.0 mi 4.8
Franklin Middle School Greeley 10.8 mi 7.6
Northridge High School Greeley 10.6 mi 6.1
Galeton Elementary School Galeton 8.9 mi 8.8
Maplewood Elementary School Greeley 11.2 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 80610 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,598

Median Home Value

$403,300

Median Rent

$973/mo

Population

4,175

College Educated

22.3%

Homeownership

77%

Avg Commute

26.6 min

Poverty Rate

7.8%

Median Age

36

Community Profile

The community surrounding Highland High School has a median household income of $84,598. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $403,300, with a median rent of $973/month. The local poverty rate of 7.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Calhan Secondary School Calhan, CO 4.8
Crested Butte Secondary School Crested Butte, CO 4.8
Excel Academy Denver, CO 4.8
Poudre Community Academy Fort Collins, CO 4.8
R-5 High School Grand Junction, CO 4.8
27J Online Academy Brighton, CO 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland High School

What grades does Highland High School serve?

Highland High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Highland High School?

Highland High School has an enrollment of approximately 291 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Highland High School is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highland High School rank in CO?

Highland High School is ranked #1500 out of 1,815 schools in CO.

What is Highland High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland High School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland High School has 28.7% math proficiency and 55.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Highland High School a charter school?

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

Is Highland High School a Title I school?

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

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

42.6% of students at Highland High 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

City Safety
Elevated (1,478/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ault). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
291
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Weld County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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