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Below Average

#1079 of 1,280 schools in IA

Highland Elementary School

Elementary School · Highland Comm School District

220 Schnoebelen Street, Riverside, IA 52327

Enrollment

278

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

4.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#1,079 of 1,280

In Riverside

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Highland Comm School District

School environment

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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Highland Elementary School

4.5/10

Elementary School in Riverside · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hills Elementary School

5.8/10

4.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Highland High School

8.1/10

5.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Highland Elementary School

Highland Elementary School is a public elementary school in Riverside, IA, part of Highland Comm School District. Highland Elementary School serves approximately 278 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,079 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Highland Elementary School show 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.0 pts below IA schools
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • IA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Highland Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.3Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.49 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68.1% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency62% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-8.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.1 pts
Overall Proficiency65% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)82% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-17.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
Resources & Environment9.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,598
Chronic Absenteeism7.2%

Highland Elementary School — Students at Highland Elementary School score 65% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 82%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

22.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 69.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
74.6% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 61.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.3% (2025 ISASP)

Based on 35 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
87%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
67%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
68.1%
ELA
62%

* 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: 3.3/10.

How Highland Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.5/10
16th percentile in IA
Academic
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.1/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
22%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
7.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

220 Schnoebelen Street, Riverside, IA 52327

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Alexander Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Iowa City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mark Twain Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Iowa City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, FAITH ACADEMY (rated 7.2/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Iowa City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Riverside, see our Riverside schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Hills Elementary School Hills 4.8 mi 5.8
Highland High School Riverside 5.7 mi 8.1
Highland Middle School Riverside 5.7 mi 6.9
Mid-Prairie Middle School Kalona 6.7 mi 6.6
Mid-Prairie East Elementary School Kalona 6.8 mi 5.8
PATHWAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalona 7.5 mi 3.3
Lone Tree Elementary School Lone Tree 7.5 mi 7.0
Lone Tree Middle-Senior High School Lone Tree 7.5 mi 5.7
Alexander Elementary Iowa City 9.8 mi 7.8
Weber Elementary Iowa City 11.0 mi 4.9
FAITH ACADEMY Iowa City 10.8 mi 7.2
Grant Wood Elementary School Iowa City 10.7 mi 6.2
Ernest Horn Elementary School Iowa City 11.3 mi 5.3
Mark Twain Elementary Iowa City 11.2 mi 7.5
West Senior High School Iowa City 11.5 mi 6.1
Elizabeth Tate Alt. High School Iowa City 11.4 mi 2.2
Southeast Junior High School Iowa City 11.5 mi 5.3
Longfellow Elementary School Iowa City 11.8 mi 5.9
Lincoln Elementary School Iowa City 12.4 mi 6.6
WILLOWWIND SCHOOL Iowa City 12.0 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52327 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,250

Median Home Value

$288,400

Median Rent

$1,080/mo

Population

3,722

College Educated

31%

Homeownership

74.9%

Avg Commute

30.8 min

Poverty Rate

2.7%

Median Age

40.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Camanche Elementary Camanche, IA 4.5
Harlan Intermediate School Harlan, IA 4.5
ST LUKE THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ankeny, IA 4.5
WACO Elementary School Crawfordsville, IA 4.5
West Central PK - 8 School Maynard, IA 4.5
Arthur Elementary School Cedar Rapids, IA 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland Elementary School

What grades does Highland Elementary School serve?

Highland Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Highland Elementary School?

Highland Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 278 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Highland 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 Highland Elementary School rank in IA?

Highland Elementary School ranks #1,079 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Highland Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Elementary School has 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Highland Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Highland Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

22.3% of students at Highland 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

Walk Score
20 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
278
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
22.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Washington County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
7.2%

District

Highland Comm School District
District Enrollment
559
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,598
District Rank
#3 of 3

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