Average
#2610 of 3,813 schools in IL
Highlands Elem School
Elementary School · Prairie-Hills ESD 144
3420 Laurel Ln, Hazel Crest, IL 60429
Enrollment
290
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
290
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#2,610 of 3,813
In Hazel Crest
#2 of 4
public schools
In district
#5 of 8
Prairie-Hills ESD 144
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Highlands Elem School
Elementary School in Hazel Crest · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Nob Hill Elem School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Mae Jemison School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Highlands Elem School
Highlands Elem School is a public elementary school in Hazel Crest, IL, part of Prairie-Hills ESD 144. Highlands Elem School serves approximately 290 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 18.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Highlands Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,610 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Highlands Elem School show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 5.4 · Average
- District avg 5.9
- IL avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
43% of students at Highlands 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Highlands Elem School — Students at Highlands Elem School score 12% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 6%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
94.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 27 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.1/10.
How Highlands Elem School Compares
See how Highlands Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
3420 Laurel Ln, Hazel Crest, IL 60429
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highlands Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Flossmoor Hills Elem School (rated 7.9/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Flossmoor), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fieldcrest Elem School (rated 7.0/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Oak Forest), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Prairie-Hills STEAM Academy (rated 6.5/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Markham), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hazel Crest, see our Hazel Crest schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Nob Hill Elem School Country Club Hills | 0.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Mae Jemison School Hazel Crest | 0.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Hillcrest High School Country Club Hills | 0.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Markham Park Elem School Markham | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Primary Learning Center Markham | 1.0 mi | — |
| Prairie-Hills STEAM Academy Markham | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Chateaux School Hazel Crest | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Prairie-Hills Junior High School Markham | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| PHENOMENAL KIDS ACADEMEY INC Markham | 1.4 mi | — |
| Jesse C White Learning Academy Hazel Crest | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Fieldcrest Elem School Oak Forest | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Zenon J Sykuta School Country Club Hills | 1.6 mi | 3.0 |
| ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Country Club Hills | 1.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Flossmoor Hills Elem School Flossmoor | 2.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Meadowview School Country Club Hills | 1.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Homewood-Flossmoor High School Flossmoor | 2.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Central Park Elem School Midlothian | 2.6 mi | 3.7 |
| Bremen High School Midlothian | 2.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Parker Junior High School Flossmoor | 2.6 mi | 4.9 |
| FLOSSMOOR MONTESSORI SCHOOL Flossmoor | 2.6 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60429 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,231
Median Home Value
$180,800
Median Rent
$1,440/mo
Population
14,602
College Educated
23.5%
Homeownership
69.3%
Avg Commute
29.2 min
Poverty Rate
21.3%
Median Age
34.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A J Katzenmaier Academy North Chicago, IL | 5.4 |
| Avalon Park Elem School Chicago, IL | 5.4 |
| CALVARY ACADEMY South Holland, IL | 5.4 |
| Calhoun Elementary/ Jr High Sch Hardin, IL | 5.4 |
| Carolyn Wenz Elem School Paris, IL | 5.4 |
| Carrier Mills-Stonefort Elem Sch Carrier Mills, IL | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highlands Elem School
What grades does Highlands Elem School serve?
Highlands Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Highlands Elem School?
Highlands Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 290 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elem School is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highlands Elem School rank in IL?
Highlands Elem School ranks #2,610 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Highlands Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highlands Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 Highlands Elem School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Highlands Elem School has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Highlands Elem School a charter school?
No, Highlands Elem School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highlands Elem School a Title I school?
No, Highlands Elem School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highlands Elem School?
94.1% of students at Highlands 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 290
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 94.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Cook County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 43.1%
- Phone
- (708) 335-9773
Resources & Links
District
Prairie-Hills ESD 144- District Enrollment
- 2,542
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,068
- District Rank
- #5 of 8
Other Schools in This District
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