Average
#827 of 1,280 schools in IA
Highland Middle School
Middle School · Highland Comm School District
1715 Vine Avenue, Riverside, IA 52327
Enrollment
112
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
112
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Riverside
#3 of 3
public schools
Iowa middle schools
#174 of 248
In district
#3 of 3
Highland Comm School District
About Highland Middle School
Highland Middle School is a regular public school located in the rural community of Riverside, Iowa. Serving students from sixth through eighth grade, Highland has an enrollment of 112 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1, ensuring each student receives personalized attention. With seven full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the school offers a supportive learning environment.
Academically, Highland Middle School's performance is in line with state standards but has room for improvement. According to MySchoolScout ratings, it scores 5.1 out of 10 and ranks at number 732 out of 1288 schools across Iowa, placing it around the 43rd percentile overall. In ELA/reading, 74% of students are proficient or above, while in math and science, that figure is 70% and 68%, respectively.
Highland Middle School sits in a rural setting, providing students with a peaceful atmosphere conducive to learning and growth. The school community focuses on fostering student development and success within the context of its rural surroundings.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 112 students, Highland Middle School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Highland Middle 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Highland Middle School — Students at Highland Middle School score 72% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 83%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
14.3%
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
→ 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: 6.8/10.
How Highland Middle School Compares
See how Highland Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 72% (2019) to 72% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 72% (2022).
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. Washington Middle School (rated 7.1/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Washington), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mid-Prairie Middle School (rated 6.7/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Kalona), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Columbus Community Junior High School (rated 6.7/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Columbus Junction), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Riverside, see our Riverside schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.0 miNeighborhood 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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Sioux Central Middle School Sioux Rapids, IA | 5.9 |
| Galva-Holstein Upper Elementary Galva, IA | 5.8 |
| Lake Mills Middle School Lake Mills, IA | 5.8 |
| Pleasantville Middle School Pleasantville, IA | 5.8 |
| Adair-Casey Jr. High School Adair, IA | 6.1 |
| Wapello Junior High School Wapello, IA | 6.1 |
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 is ranked #827 out of 1,280 schools in IA.
What is Highland Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Middle School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Middle School has 70.1% math proficiency and 73.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (413/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (319) 648-2891
- 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
- #3 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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