Very Good
#476 of 3,813 schools in IL
Top 13% in state
Highlands Elem School
Elementary School · Naperville CUSD 203
525 S Brainard St, Naperville, IL 60540
Enrollment
525
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
525
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Naperville
#9 of 40
public schools
Illinois elementary schools
#328 of 2,326
In district
#5 of 22
Naperville CUSD 203
Academic performance
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Highlands Elem School
Highlands Elementary School serves 525 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Naperville, Illinois. With 34 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.4 to 1, providing a supportive learning environment for young learners. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #320 out of 3,819 schools statewide, placing it in the 92nd percentile among Illinois elementary schools.
Students achieve particularly well in English Language Arts and reading, with 77% scoring proficient or above across grade levels. The school's academic score of 9.9 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence. Located at 525 S Brainard Street, Highlands Elementary sits in an affluent and highly educated community where 72% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The neighborhood boasts a median household income of $143,912 and a low poverty rate of just 4.9%, creating a stable environment that supports student success. Median home values of $482,200 reflect the desirability of this well-established area. Highlands Elementary operates within Naperville's mid-size city setting, benefiting from both suburban amenities and the strong community support that characterizes this respected DuPage County location.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Highlands Elem School — Students at Highlands Elem School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
7.4%
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: 7.2/10.
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 77% (2019) to 71% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 83% (2019) to 77% (2022).
Location
525 S Brainard St, Naperville, IL 60540
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highlands Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ellsworth Elem School (rated 8.7/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Owen Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Maplebrook Elem School (rated 7.5/10, 2.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Naperville, see our Naperville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SAINTS PETER & PAUL SCHOOL Naperville | 0.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Ellsworth Elem School Naperville | 0.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Washington Jr High School Naperville | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Naper Elem School Naperville | 0.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Naperville Central High School Naperville | 0.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Elmwood Elem School Naperville | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Prairie Elem School Naperville | 0.8 mi | 7.0 |
| ST RAPHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Naperville | 1.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Lincoln Jr High School Naperville | 1.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Beebe Elem School Naperville | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Naperville North High School Naperville | 1.4 mi | 8.7 |
| BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL Naperville | 1.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Mill Street Elem School Naperville | 1.7 mi | 7.3 |
| ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC ACADEMY Naperville | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Owen Elementary School Naperville | 1.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Jefferson Jr High School Naperville | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Maplebrook Elem School Naperville | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Ann Reid Early Childhood Center Naperville | 1.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Kennedy Junior High School Lisle | 1.8 mi | 7.8 |
| May Watts Elementary School Naperville | 2.0 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60540 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$155,866
Median Home Value
$504,900
Median Rent
$1,982/mo
Population
42,660
College Educated
71.8%
Homeownership
75.2%
Avg Commute
28.7 min
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Median Age
41.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highlands Elem School has a median household income of $155,866. It is a well-educated community where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $504,900, with a median rent of $1,982/month. The local poverty rate of 3.7% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Eugene Field Elem School Park Ridge, IL | 7.9 |
| Hawthorn Sch of Dual Language Vernon Hills, IL | 7.9 |
| J W Riley Elem School Arlington Heights, IL | 7.9 |
| Jane Addams Elem School Palatine, IL | 7.9 |
| Kaneland John Stewart Elem Sch Elburn, IL | 7.9 |
| Liberty Elem School Bartlett, IL | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highlands Elem School
What grades does Highlands Elem School serve?
Highlands Elem School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Highlands Elem School?
Highlands Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 525 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elem School is 15.4:1. 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 #476 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Highlands Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highlands Elem School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 74.0% math proficiency and 76.3% 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?
7.4% 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
- Walk Score
- 56 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 30 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 51 Bikeable
- City Safety
- Elevated (968/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Naperville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 525
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 7.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- DuPage County
- Phone
- (630) 420-6335
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Naperville CUSD 203- District Enrollment
- 16,071
- Schools in District
- 22
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,199
- District Rank
- #5 of 22
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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