Very Good
#617 of 3,777 schools in FL
Top 16% in state
Highland City Elementary School
Elementary School · POLK
5355 9TH STREET SE, Highland City, FL 33846
Enrollment
415
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
415
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Florida elementary schools
#567 of 2,196
In district
#16 of 155
POLK
School environment
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Highland City Elementary School
Highland City Elementary School serves 415 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Highland City, Florida, within Polk County. This regular public school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1 with 28 full-time equivalent teachers, providing a supportive learning environment for young learners. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #1003 out of 3816 schools statewide, placing it in the 74th percentile among Florida elementary schools.
Students show steady achievement in core subjects, with 60% reaching proficiency or above in mathematics and 57% meeting proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading across all grade levels. Highland City Elementary's academic score of 6.8 out of 10 reflects the school's commitment to helping students build strong foundational skills during these crucial early learning years. The school's size allows for a close-knit community atmosphere where teachers can develop meaningful relationships with students and families while maintaining manageable class sizes.
Located at 5355 9th Street SE, Highland City Elementary School sits within a large suburban area, offering families the benefits of suburban living while maintaining access to educational resources and community amenities that support student growth and development.
Score Breakdown
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Highland City Elementary School — Students at Highland City Elementary School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
62.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from FL 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: 8.2/10.
How Highland City Elementary School Compares
See how Highland City Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 64% (2019) to 50% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 55% (2019) to 47% (2021).
Location
5355 9TH STREET SE, Highland City, FL 33846
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highland City Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SCOTT LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Lakeland), which scores slightly higher. Another option is OSCAR J. POPE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Lakeland), with a very similar rating. Additionally, JAMES E. STEPHENS ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Bartow), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Highland City, see our Highland City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.9 miSimilar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| AVALON ELEMENTARY Orlando, FL | 7.9 |
| BROOKSHIRE ELEMENTARY Winter Park, FL | 7.9 |
| BUNCHE PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Miami Gardens, FL | 7.9 |
| COQUINA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Titusville, FL | 7.9 |
| DR. FREDERICA S. WILSON/SKYWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Miami Gardens, FL | 7.9 |
| HIGHLAND LAKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palm Harbor, FL | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highland City Elementary School
What grades does Highland City Elementary School serve?
Highland City Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Highland City Elementary School?
Highland City Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 415 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland City Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland City Elementary School is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highland City Elementary School rank in FL?
Highland City Elementary School is ranked #617 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Highland City Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland City Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 City Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland City Elementary School has 58.8% math proficiency and 54.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highland City Elementary School a charter school?
No, Highland City Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highland City Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Highland City Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland City Elementary School?
62.7% of students at Highland City 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 415
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 62.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (863) 648-3540
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
POLK- District Enrollment
- 111,041
- Schools in District
- 167
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,242
- District Rank
- #16 of 155
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.
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