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Average

#529 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 41% in state

Highland Middle School

Middle School · Highland Comm School District

1715 Vine Avenue, Riverside, IA 52327

Enrollment

112

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

6.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Iowa schools

#529 of 1,280

In Riverside

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

Highland Comm School District

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Highland Middle School

6.9/10

Middle School in Riverside · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Highland High School

8.1/10

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

Highland Elementary School

4.5/10

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

About Highland Middle School

Highland Middle School is a public middle school in Riverside, IA, part of Highland Comm School District. Highland Middle School serves approximately 112 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #529 of 1,280 schools in IA.

Structured state assessment records for Highland Middle School show 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with IA schools
  • This school 6.9 · Average
  • IA avg 6.7

What Parents Should Know

At 112 students, Highland Middle School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Highland Middle 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 Progress9.8Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change+0.58 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.9Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68.2% (2025 ISASP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency79.1% (2025 ISASP)
Math vs. State Avg-4.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.4 pts
Overall Proficiency74% (2025 ISASP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)87% (model expectation from 2025 ISASP)
vs. Expected-13.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
Resources & Environment5.1Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,598
Chronic Absenteeism15.2%

Highland Middle School — Students at Highland Middle School score 74% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 87%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

14.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 72.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.4% (2025 ISASP)
ELA Proficiency 68.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
76.8% (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
62%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
82%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
82%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
87%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2018
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2025
Math
68.2%
ELA
79.1%

* 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 Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
59th percentile in IA
Academic
4.9/10
Below Average
Growth
9.8/10
Excellent
Environment
5.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
14%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.2%

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

1715 Vine Avenue, Riverside, IA 52327

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Columbus Community Junior High School (rated 6.8/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Columbus Junction), with a very similar rating. Another option is Mid-Prairie Middle School (rated 6.6/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Kalona), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Washington Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Washington), a more accessible option. For more schools in Riverside, see our Riverside schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Highland High School Riverside 0.0 mi 8.1
Highland Elementary School Riverside 5.7 mi 4.5
Lone Tree Elementary School Lone Tree 8.0 mi 7.0
Lone Tree Middle-Senior High School Lone Tree 8.0 mi 5.7
Hills Elementary School Hills 10.0 mi 5.8
Mid-Prairie Middle School Kalona 9.9 mi 6.6
Stewart Elementary School Washington 10.4 mi 8.1
Mid-Prairie East Elementary School Kalona 10.0 mi 5.8
Washington Middle School Washington 10.8 mi 5.8
Lincoln Upper Elementary School Washington 10.9 mi 5.1
ST JAMES SCHOOL Washington 11.0 mi 8.0
Washington High School Washington 11.5 mi 3.1
WACO Elementary School Crawfordsville 13.5 mi 4.5
PATHWAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalona 11.5 mi 3.3
Alexander Elementary Iowa City 14.8 mi 7.8
Roundy Elementary School Columbus Junction 13.1 mi 8.2
Columbus Community High School Columbus Junction 13.2 mi 6.5
Columbus Community Junior High School Columbus Junction 13.2 mi 6.8
Grant Wood Elementary School Iowa City 15.7 mi 6.2
FAITH ACADEMY Iowa City 16.0 mi 7.2

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
Pleasantville Middle School Pleasantville, IA 6.9
Clayton Ridge Middle School Guttenberg, IA 6.8
Columbus Community Junior High School Columbus Junction, IA 6.8
BCLUW Middle School Union, IA 7.1
Lansing Middle School Lansing, IA 7.1
West Lyon Junior High School Inwood, IA 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland Middle School

What grades does Highland Middle School serve?

Highland Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Highland Middle School?

Highland Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 112 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Highland Middle School is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highland Middle School rank in IA?

Highland Middle School ranks #529 of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Highland Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Middle School has 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Highland Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Highland Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

14.3% of students at Highland Middle 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
112
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
14.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Washington County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.2%

District

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

How we rate schools

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