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Needs Improvement

#3761 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

3.0

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Illinois schools

#3,761 of 3,813

In Elgin

#23 of 25

public schools

In district

#48 of 51

SD U-46

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Highland Elem School

3.0/10

Elementary School in Elgin · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Kimball Middle School

3.9/10

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

Larkin High School

5.0/10

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

About Highland Elem School

Highland Elem School is a public elementary school in Elgin, IL, part of SD U-46. Highland Elem School serves approximately 625 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 16.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and ranks #3,761 of 3,813 schools in IL.

Structured state assessment records for Highland Elem School show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.6 pts below district
  • This school 3.0 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.6
  • IL avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

36% of students at Highland Elem School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-6.33 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.6Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency8% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency5% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)19% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-13.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
Resources & Environment3.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,216
Chronic Absenteeism35.8%

Highland Elem School — Students at Highland Elem School score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 32.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
63%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
65%
2011
Math
76%
ELA
64%
2012
Math
45%
ELA
36%
2013
Math
53%
ELA
33%
2014
Math
23%
ELA
23%
2015
Math
21%
ELA
19%
2016
Math
11%
ELA
12%
2017
Math
13%
ELA
13%
2018
Math
9%
ELA
10%
2019
Math
9%
ELA
10%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2022
ELA
8%

* 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: 2.9/10.

How Highland Elem School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.0/10
1th percentile in IL
Academic
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.7/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.8%

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 3.9
Larkin High School Elgin 0.4 mi 5.0
ST THOMAS MORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Elgin 0.5 mi 7.5
Abbott Middle School Elgin 0.5 mi 3.2
Harriet Gifford Elem School Elgin 0.7 mi 2.2
Illinois Park Elem School Elgin 0.8 mi
Washington Elem School Elgin 0.6 mi 3.4
Creekside Elem Elgin 1.1 mi 3.0
Hillcrest Elem School Elgin 1.1 mi 4.2
ST EDWARD CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Elgin 1.1 mi 5.7
Century Oaks Elem School Elgin 1.7 mi 4.2
ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Elgin 1.4 mi 6.9
Lowrie Elem School Elgin 1.5 mi 3.2
McKinley Elem School Elgin 1.7 mi 3.7
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 4.7
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 3.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Creekside Elem Elgin, IL 3.0
Hines Primary School Peoria, IL 3.0
Hope Academy Decatur, IL 3.0
Maryville Elem School Granite City, IL 3.0
Meehan Elementary School Belvidere, IL 3.0
North Elem School Waukegan, IL 3.0

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 ranks #3,761 of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Highland Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 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 Elem School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Elem School has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
56 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
35 Some Transit
Bike Score
55 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.8%

District

SD U-46
District Enrollment
34,553
Schools in District
56
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,216
District Rank
#48 of 51

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