Average
#2549 of 3,813 schools in IL
Highland Elem School
Elementary School · SD U-46
190 N Melrose Ave, Elgin, IL 60123
Enrollment
625
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
625
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Elgin
#10 of 25
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#1,523 of 2,326
In district
#23 of 51
SD U-46
Academic growth
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Highland Elem School
Highland Elem School is a public elementary school in Elgin, Illinois, nestled along the Melrose Avenue corridor. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, it offers a nurturing environment with an enrollment of 625 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.4:1. The dedicated staff includes 38 full-time equivalent teachers who work tirelessly to support each child's educational journey.
While Highland Elem School currently has room for academic growth, as reflected in its MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and a state ranking of #3474 among Illinois schools, it remains committed to student development and fostering a supportive community. On the standardized tests, the school shows that 7% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 6% in Math. Highland Elem School is situated in a mid-size city setting, providing its young learners with access to diverse resources while maintaining a close-knit feel typical of smaller communities.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Highland Elem 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Highland Elem School — Students at Highland Elem School score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from IL 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: 7.8/10.
How Highland Elem School Compares
See how Highland Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 9% (2019) to 2.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 8% (2022).
Location
190 N Melrose Ave, Elgin, IL 60123
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highland Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST THOMAS MORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MARY SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Elgin, see our Elgin schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Kimball Middle School Elgin | 0.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Larkin High School Elgin | 0.4 mi | 5.3 |
| ST THOMAS MORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Elgin | 0.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Abbott Middle School Elgin | 0.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Harriet Gifford Elem School Elgin | 0.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Illinois Park Elem School Elgin | 0.8 mi | — |
| Washington Elem School Elgin | 0.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Creekside Elem Elgin | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Hillcrest Elem School Elgin | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| ST EDWARD CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Elgin | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Century Oaks Elem School Elgin | 1.7 mi | 6.3 |
| ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Elgin | 1.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Lowrie Elem School Elgin | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
| McKinley Elem School Elgin | 1.7 mi | 6.8 |
| ELGIN ACADEMY Elgin | 1.6 mi | 7.7 |
| ST MARY SCHOOL Elgin | 1.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Channing Memorial Elem School Elgin | 1.9 mi | 4.3 |
| SUMMIT SCHOOL Elgin | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
| WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Elgin | 2.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Fox Meadow Elementary School South Elgin | 2.5 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60123 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$86,762
Median Home Value
$242,200
Median Rent
$1,226/mo
Population
48,821
College Educated
24%
Homeownership
71.4%
Avg Commute
27.5 min
Poverty Rate
10.9%
Median Age
39.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highland Elem School has a median household income of $86,762. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $242,200, with a median rent of $1,226/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| ALPHONSUS ACADEMY & CENTER FOR THE ARTS Chicago, IL | 5.6 |
| Benjamin Franklin Elem School Glen Ellyn, IL | 5.6 |
| Bridgeview Elem School Bridgeview, IL | 5.6 |
| Brook Park Elem School La Grange Park, IL | 5.6 |
| CICS - Irving Park Campus Chicago, IL | 5.6 |
| Colona Grade School Colona, IL | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highland Elem School
What grades does Highland Elem School serve?
Highland Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Highland Elem School?
Highland Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 625 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland Elem School is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highland Elem School rank in IL?
Highland Elem School is ranked #2549 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Highland Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Elem School has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Elem School has 5.8% math proficiency and 6.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highland Elem School a charter school?
No, Highland Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highland Elem School a Title I school?
No, Highland Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Elem School?
66.2% of students at Highland Elem 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,372/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Elgin). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 625
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Kane County
- Phone
- (847) 888-5280
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
SD U-46- District Enrollment
- 34,553
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,216
- District Rank
- #23 of 51
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.