Average
#1535 of 3,777 schools in FL
Top 41% in state
Highlands Elementary School
Elementary School · DUVAL
1000 DEPAUL DR, Jacksonville, FL 32218
Enrollment
396
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
396
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Jacksonville
#48 of 184
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#1,261 of 2,196
In district
#53 of 194
DUVAL
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Highlands Elementary School
Highlands Elementary School is a public elementary school in Jacksonville, Florida. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 396 students and employs 30 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1. Located in a large city setting, Highlands Elementary focuses on providing a supportive educational environment for its young learners.
The school's academic performance is currently ranked at the 29th percentile among Florida schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.7 out of 10. Test scores show that 26% of students are proficient in ELA/Reading and 37% are proficient in Math across all grade levels. While the school is working to improve these metrics, it remains committed to fostering a nurturing educational space for its students.
Highlands Elementary School sits in the heart of Jacksonville, offering easy access to city resources while maintaining a strong community presence.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Highlands 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Highlands Elementary School — Students at Highlands Elementary School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
72.7%
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: 7.4/10.
How Highlands Elementary School Compares
See how Highlands Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 32% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 27% (2021).
Location
1000 DEPAUL DR, Jacksonville, FL 32218
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highlands Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. RUTLEDGE H. PEARSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is RUFUS E. PAYNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER ELEMENTARY (rated 7.1/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Jacksonville, see our Jacksonville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 32218 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,363
Median Home Value
$260,300
Median Rent
$1,416/mo
Population
71,066
College Educated
26%
Homeownership
64.7%
Avg Commute
23.3 min
Poverty Rate
12.4%
Median Age
35.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highlands Elementary School has a median household income of $68,363. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $260,300, with a median rent of $1,416/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.4%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| ASCENSION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Melbourne, FL | 6.8 |
| ASTORIA PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tallahassee, FL | 6.8 |
| CEDAR HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL | 6.8 |
| CHENEY ELEMENTARY Orlando, FL | 6.8 |
| CHICKASAW ELEMENTARY Orlando, FL | 6.8 |
| CONWAY ELEMENTARY Orlando, FL | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highlands Elementary School
What grades does Highlands Elementary School serve?
Highlands Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Highlands Elementary School?
Highlands Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 396 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary School is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highlands Elementary School rank in FL?
Highlands Elementary School is ranked #1535 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Highlands Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highlands Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Highlands Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highlands Elementary School has 37.2% math proficiency and 26.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highlands Elementary School a charter school?
No, Highlands Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highlands Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Highlands Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highlands Elementary School?
72.7% of students at Highlands 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 396
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 72.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Duval County
- Phone
- (904) 696-8754
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DUVAL- District Enrollment
- 127,971
- Schools in District
- 208
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,578
- District Rank
- #53 of 194
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
- Best Public Schools in Florida 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in Jacksonville, Miami & Tampa for Families Exploring School Choicebest schools
- Best Schools in Jacksonville, FL — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Florida School Choice Guide: Public vs Private vs Charter — What the Data Showsguides
- Florida School Vouchers 2026: How to Compare Your Options Before the April 30 Deadlineschool choice
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