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Very Good

#833 of 3,813 schools in IL

Top 22% in state

Highland Middle School

Middle School · Highland CUSD 5

400 Broadway, Highland, IL 62249

Enrollment

611

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

7.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Highland

#3 of 5

public schools

Illinois middle schools

#144 of 684

In district

#4 of 6

Highland CUSD 5

Academic growth

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Highland Middle School

Highland Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural area near Highland, Illinois. Serving students from sixth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 611 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1 with 41 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The academic performance at Highland Middle School indicates room for growth but shows promising results in key areas.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10, the school ranks as the 75th percentile among all Illinois schools, placing it at number 957 out of 3819. The academic score is 8.3 out of 10, reflecting consistent effort in student development. In ELA and reading proficiency, 42% of students meet or exceed standards on average across grades, with a similar percentage achieving proficiency in math.

Highland Middle School sits in a setting that offers a close-knit community feel, making it an ideal environment for middle school-aged students to thrive both academically and socially.

What Parents Should Know

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 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.95 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.7Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected+6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
Resources & Environment3.4Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,645

Highland Middle School — Students at Highland Middle School score 41% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 41.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
43%
ELA
43%
2021*
Math
40%
ELA
41%
2022
ELA
42%

* 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: 8.8/10.

How Highland Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
78th percentile in IL
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
8.8/10
Above average
Environment
3.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers

Location

400 Broadway, Highland, IL 62249

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Triad Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Saint Jacob), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Wesclin Middle School (rated 5.3/10, 13.1 miles away, in nearby Trenton), a more accessible option. For more schools in Highland, see our Highland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Highland High School Highland 0.2 mi 7.4
ST PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Highland 1.3 mi 6.3
Highland Elementary School Highland 1.9 mi 8.0
Highland Primary School Highland 1.9 mi 5.6
Grantfork Upper Elementary Sch Highland 5.0 mi 4.4
St Jacob Elem School Saint Jacob 6.0 mi 7.0
Marine Elem School Marine 6.3 mi 6.3
St Rose Elem School Breese 8.3 mi 4.9
Alhambra Primary School Alhambra 9.5 mi 8.3
Pocahontas Center Pocahontas 8.6 mi 8.2
Trenton Elem School Trenton 10.5 mi 6.0
Triad Middle School Saint Jacob 8.4 mi 7.0
Aviston Elem School Aviston 11.1 mi 5.5
Central Comm High School Breese 12.0 mi 6.3
Triad High School Troy 10.3 mi 6.1
Wesclin Middle School Trenton 13.1 mi 5.3
Wesclin Sr High School Trenton 13.2 mi 6.0
MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL Breese 12.4 mi 5.0
C A Henning School Troy 11.1 mi 7.0
Silver Creek Elementary Troy 11.0 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 62249 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$88,986

Median Home Value

$220,000

Median Rent

$779/mo

Population

16,550

College Educated

35.8%

Homeownership

80.4%

Avg Commute

25.9 min

Poverty Rate

4.4%

Median Age

42.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Highland Middle School has a median household income of $88,986. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $220,000, with a median rent of $779/month. The local poverty rate of 4.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
East St Louis-Lincoln Middle Sch East Saint Louis, IL 7.4
Geneva Middle Sch South Geneva, IL 7.4
Maple School Northbrook, IL 7.4
Attea Middle School Glenview, IL 7.5
Carl Sandburg Middle Sch Freeport, IL 7.5
Edison Middle School Champaign, IL 7.5

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 611 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Highland Middle School is 14.9:1. 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 IL?

Highland Middle School is ranked #833 out of 3,813 schools in IL.

What is Highland Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Middle School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 41.5% math proficiency and 42.0% 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?

31.4% 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
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (735/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Highland). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
611
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
31.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Madison County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Highland CUSD 5
District Enrollment
2,780
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,907
District Rank
#4 of 6

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 methodology

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