Very Good
#858 of 3,778 schools in FL
Top 23% 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
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
415
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Florida schools
#858 of 3,778
In district
#24 of 155
POLK
Equity
8.3 / 10
Excellent
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Highland City Elementary School
Elementary School in Highland City · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Spessard L Holland Elementary
1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Polk State College Collegiate High School
1.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Highland City Elementary School
Highland City Elementary School is a public elementary school in Highland City, FL, part of POLK. Highland City Elementary School serves approximately 415 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland City Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #858 of 3,778 schools in FL.
Structured state assessment records for Highland City Elementary School show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.8 · Very Good
- District avg 6.2
- FL avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
34% of students at Highland City 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Highland City Elementary School — Students at Highland City Elementary School score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
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 33 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: 7.7/10.
How Highland City Elementary School Compares
See how Highland City Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. VALLEYVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Lakeland), which scores notably higher. Another option is SOUTH MCKEEL ACADEMY (rated 8.5/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Lakeland), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, MI ESCUELA MONTESSORI (rated 8.5/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Lakeland), which scores slightly higher. 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 |
|---|---|
| A. K. SUTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pensacola, FL | 7.8 |
| ALPHA CHARTER OF EXCELLENCE Miami, FL | 7.8 |
| BEACHLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Vero Beach, FL | 7.8 |
| BUNCHE PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Miami Gardens, FL | 7.8 |
| DALE R FAIR BABSON PARK ELEMENTARY Babson Park, FL | 7.8 |
| DOVER ELEMENTARY Dover, FL | 7.8 |
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 ranks #858 of 3,778 schools in FL.
What is Highland City Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland City Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 City Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland City Elementary School has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 34.0%
- Phone
- (863) 648-3540
Resources & Links
District
POLK- District Enrollment
- 111,041
- Schools in District
- 167
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,242
- District Rank
- #24 of 155
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.
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