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Average

#1934 of 3,777 schools in FL

Highlands Elementary School

Elementary School · OSCEOLA

800 W DONEGAN AVE, Kissimmee, FL 34741

Enrollment

598

Student-Teacher

19.9:1

Score

6.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Kissimmee

#10 of 51

public schools

Florida elementary schools

#1,504 of 2,196

In district

#23 of 76

OSCEOLA

Academic growth

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Highlands Elementary School

Highlands Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Kissimmee, Florida, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 598 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19.9:1, the school benefits from having 30 full-time equivalent teachers to support its diverse learning needs. The academic performance at Highlands Elementary School is currently rated at 3.2 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 22nd percentile among Florida schools.

About 35% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 33% are proficient or above in Math. While these scores indicate room for improvement, Highlands focuses on developing a strong educational foundation to support each student's growth. Highlands Elementary School is situated in a small city setting within Osceola County, providing a close-knit community feel.

The school serves as an important hub for local families, fostering a supportive environment for both students and parents alike.

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 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.13 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.3Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34%
Math vs. State Avg-29.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.2 pts
Overall Proficiency33%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected-9.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,818

Highlands Elementary School — Students at Highlands Elementary School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 33.4%
School
State
58.1%
ELA Proficiency 34.6%
School
State
54.2%

Based on 10 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
32%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
31%
ELA
34%
2024
Math
34.7%
ELA
34.3%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Highlands Elementary School Compares

See how Highlands Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
49th percentile in FL
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
8.4/10
Above average
Environment
4.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Location

800 W DONEGAN AVE, Kissimmee, FL 34741

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highlands Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. KISSIMMEE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.9/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is VICTORY CHARTER SCHOOL K-5 (rated 6.6/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, RENAISSANCE CHARTER SCHOOL AT TAPESTRY (rated 6.1/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Kissimmee, see our Kissimmee schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
NORTH KISSIMMEE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kissimmee 0.2 mi 7.8
SUNSHINE STATE ELITE ACADEMY LLC Kissimmee 0.5 mi 5.3
CPCA LEARNING CENTER Kissimmee 0.6 mi 6.9
CENTRAL AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kissimmee 0.8 mi 5.2
OSCEOLA SCIENCE CHARTER SCHOOL Kissimmee 1.0 mi 5.1
FREEDOMLAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kissimmee 1.1 mi 5.2
VICTORY CHARTER SCHOOL Kissimmee 1.1 mi 4.5
VICTORY CHARTER SCHOOL K-5 Kissimmee 1.1 mi 6.6
MAIN STREET HIGH SCHOOL Kissimmee 1.2 mi 5.0
THE VINE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kissimmee 1.1 mi 5.7
RENAISSANCE CHARTER SCHOOL AT TAPESTRY Kissimmee 1.1 mi 6.1
NEW BEGINNINGS EDUCATION CENTER Kissimmee 1.3 mi 6.4
CADEST Kissimmee 1.4 mi 2.3
KISSIMMEE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kissimmee 1.5 mi 6.9
OSCEOLA CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY SCHOOL Kissimmee 1.5 mi 5.4
OSCEOLA COUNTY SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS Kissimmee 1.7 mi 8.0
THACKER AVENUE ELEMENTARY FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES Kissimmee 1.7 mi 5.5
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kissimmee 1.7 mi 6.3
KISSIMMEE MIDDLE SCHOOL Kissimmee 1.7 mi 4.4
FAITH HARVEST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kissimmee 1.7 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 34741 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,278

Median Home Value

$270,200

Median Rent

$1,591/mo

Population

56,429

College Educated

27.9%

Homeownership

35.9%

Avg Commute

33.5 min

Poverty Rate

24.1%

Median Age

33.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Highlands Elementary School has a median household income of $50,278. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $270,200, with a median rent of $1,591/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 34 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
ALEXANDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa, FL 6.4
BELLEVIEW-SANTOS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Belleview, FL 6.4
BONNEVILLE ELEMENTARY Orlando, FL 6.4
CANNELLA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa, FL 6.4
CENTRAL RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Citrus Springs, FL 6.4
COLUMBIA ELEMENTARY Orlando, FL 6.4

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 598 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary School is 19.9:1. 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 #1934 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Highlands Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highlands Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 33.4% math proficiency and 34.6% 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?

64.5% 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,391/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
598
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Osceola County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

OSCEOLA
District Enrollment
74,289
Schools in District
86
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,383
District Rank
#23 of 76

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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