Needs Improvement
#3783 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
3.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
290
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
3.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hazel Crest
#4 of 4
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#2,299 of 2,326
In district
#8 of 8
Prairie-Hills ESD 144
About Highlands Elem School
Highlands Elem School is a regular public elementary school located in Hazel Crest, Illinois. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 290 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.1:1 with 16 full-time equivalent teachers. Set in a large suburban area, Highlands Elem School focuses on providing a supportive educational environment.
With a MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and ranking at the 2nd percentile among Illinois schools, there is room for academic growth at Highlands Elem School. The school's average performance in reading and math shows that currently, only about 22% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and around 20% in Math. Highlands Elem School is situated in a community with strong potential for student development and support from the local area.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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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 5 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: 1.7/10.
How Highlands Elem School Compares
See how Highlands Elem School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 7.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 17% (2022).
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. Jesse C White Learning Academy (rated 8.3/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central Park Elem School (rated 6.1/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Midlothian), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Country Club Hills), 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 | 5.0 |
| Mae Jemison School Hazel Crest | 0.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Hillcrest High School Country Club Hills | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Markham Park Elem School Markham | 1.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Primary Learning Center Markham | 1.0 mi | — |
| Prairie-Hills STEAM Academy Markham | 1.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Chateaux School Hazel Crest | 1.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Prairie-Hills Junior High School Markham | 1.0 mi | 6.1 |
| PHENOMENAL KIDS ACADEMEY INC Markham | 1.4 mi | — |
| Jesse C White Learning Academy Hazel Crest | 1.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Fieldcrest Elem School Oak Forest | 1.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Zenon J Sykuta School Country Club Hills | 1.6 mi | 4.9 |
| ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Country Club Hills | 1.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Flossmoor Hills Elem School Flossmoor | 2.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Meadowview School Country Club Hills | 1.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Homewood-Flossmoor High School Flossmoor | 2.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Central Park Elem School Midlothian | 2.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Bremen High School Midlothian | 2.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Parker Junior High School Flossmoor | 2.6 mi | 6.4 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highlands Elem School has a median household income of $62,231. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $180,800, with a median rent of $1,440/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Edward J Tobin Elem School Burbank, IL | 3.3 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Pontiac, IL | 3.3 |
| ST RITA SCHOOL Rockford, IL | 3.2 |
| Twin Echo Elem School Collinsville, IL | 3.4 |
| Fairview Elem School Normal, IL | 3.1 |
| Grafton Elem School Grafton, IL | 3.1 |
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 is ranked #3783 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Highlands Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highlands Elem School has a composite rating of 3.3 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 Highlands Elem School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highlands Elem School has 19.8% math proficiency and 22.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (3,257/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hazel Crest). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (708) 335-9773
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Prairie-Hills ESD 144- District Enrollment
- 2,542
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,068
- District Rank
- #8 of 8
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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