Very Good
#393 of 1,280 schools in IA
Top 31% in state
Highland Elementary School
Elementary School · Highland Comm School District
220 Schnoebelen Street, Riverside, IA 52327
Enrollment
278
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
278
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Riverside
#1 of 3
public schools
Iowa elementary schools
#250 of 662
In district
#1 of 3
Highland Comm School District
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Highland Elementary School
Highland Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the rural community of Riverside, Iowa. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Highland has an enrollment of 278 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's academic performance shows that 54% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, 62% in math, and 49% in science.
With room for improvement, Highland Elementary focuses on student development and strives to provide a supportive learning environment for its young scholars. Highland Elementary School is nestled in the heart of a rural setting where it plays an important role as a community hub, fostering connections among families and neighbors in Riverside.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Highland 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.
Located in a rural area, Highland Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Highland Elementary School — Students at Highland Elementary School score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 78%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
22.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)
Based on 13 test records from IA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.8/10.
How Highland Elementary School Compares
See how Highland Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 42% (2022).
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. Mid-Prairie East Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Kalona), with a very similar rating. Another option is FAITH ACADEMY (rated 7.2/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Iowa City), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mark Twain Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Iowa City), with a very similar rating. 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 | 4.6 |
| Highland High School Riverside | 5.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Highland Middle School Riverside | 5.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Mid-Prairie Middle School Kalona | 6.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Mid-Prairie East Elementary School Kalona | 6.8 mi | 7.2 |
| PATHWAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalona | 7.5 mi | 3.3 |
| Lone Tree Elementary School Lone Tree | 7.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Lone Tree Middle-Senior High School Lone Tree | 7.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Alexander Elementary Iowa City | 9.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Weber Elementary Iowa City | 11.0 mi | 4.6 |
| FAITH ACADEMY Iowa City | 10.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Grant Wood Elementary School Iowa City | 10.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Ernest Horn Elementary School Iowa City | 11.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Mark Twain Elementary Iowa City | 11.2 mi | 7.2 |
| West Senior High School Iowa City | 11.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Elizabeth Tate Alt. High School Iowa City | 11.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Southeast Junior High School Iowa City | 11.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Longfellow Elementary School Iowa City | 11.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Iowa City | 12.4 mi | 4.7 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highland Elementary School has a median household income of $83,250. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $288,400, with a median rent of $1,080/month. The local poverty rate of 2.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Bronson Elementary School Bronson, IA | 7.1 |
| East Elementary School Independence, IA | 7.1 |
| George Washington Elementary School Keokuk, IA | 7.1 |
| Lincoln Center Albia, IA | 7.1 |
| Lone Tree Elementary School Lone Tree, IA | 7.1 |
| North Linn Elementary Troy Mills, IA | 7.1 |
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 is ranked #393 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Highland Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Elementary School has 61.7% math proficiency and 53.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (319) 648-2821
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Highland Comm School District- District Enrollment
- 559
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,598
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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
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