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Below Average

#1129 of 1,293 schools in KS

Highland Elem

Elementary School · Columbus

319 N High School St, Columbus, KS 66725

Enrollment

136

Student-Teacher

13.6:1

Score

4.6

Grades

2nd – 3rd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Columbus

#4 of 4

public schools

Kansas elementary schools

#637 of 711

In district

#4 of 4

Columbus

Academic performance

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Highland Elem

Highland Elem is a small, rural elementary school located in Columbus, Kansas. Serving students in second and third grade, the school has an enrollment of 136 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1, ensuring that each child receives individualized attention from ten full-time teachers. The academic performance at Highland Elem shows room for growth, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and a state ranking of #812 out of 1298 schools in Kansas (38th percentile).

In terms of test scores, 48% of students are proficient or above in math, while 33% demonstrate proficiency in ELA/Reading. Despite the current academic standing, Highland Elem focuses on nurturing young learners and fostering a supportive educational environment. The school's rural setting offers a close-knit community where teachers and parents work together to support each student’s development.

Highland Elem is situated in a peaceful rural area near Columbus, providing a tranquil backdrop for learning and growth.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 136 students, Highland Elem is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Highland Elem 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 Progress1.7Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.09 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.5%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected+8.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.9Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,501

Highland Elem — Students at Highland Elem score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 32.8%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from KS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
44.5%
ELA
24.5%

* 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 Highland Elem Compares

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

Overall Score
4.6/10
13th percentile in KS
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
1.7/10
Below average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

319 N High School St, Columbus, KS 66725

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland Elem may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Southeast Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Weir), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central Elem (rated 8.9/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Baxter Springs), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Riverton Elem (rated 7.2/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Riverton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbus, see our Columbus schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Columbus Junior High and High School Columbus 0.3 mi 6.1
Central Elem Columbus 0.8 mi 6.7
Park Elem Columbus 1.0 mi 4.7
Southeast Elementary School Weir 10.0 mi 9.2
Southeast High Cherokee 11.6 mi 3.5
Southeast Middle School Cherokee 12.0 mi 5.3
Riverton Middle Riverton 10.6 mi 6.5
Riverton High Riverton 10.6 mi 5.4
Riverton Elem Riverton 10.6 mi 7.2
Baxter Springs High Baxter Springs 11.4 mi 6.9
USD 508 eAcademy Baxter Springs 11.4 mi 5.3
Lincoln Elem Baxter Springs 11.9 mi 5.9
Central Elem Baxter Springs 12.3 mi 8.9
QUAPAW ES Quapaw 15.1 mi 2.9
QUAPAW HS Quapaw 15.2 mi 7.6
QUAPAW MS Quapaw 15.2 mi 6.4
ALEXANDER ES Commerce 16.2 mi 4.1
Liberty Elem Galena 13.8 mi 5.8
Galena High Galena 13.8 mi 6.2
Galena Middle School Galena 13.8 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 66725 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,292

Median Home Value

$106,800

Median Rent

$796/mo

Population

5,102

College Educated

26.7%

Homeownership

71%

Avg Commute

21.3 min

Poverty Rate

15%

Median Age

44.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Highland Elem has a median household income of $52,292. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $106,800, with a median rent of $796/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.0%. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Quinter Elem Quinter, KS 4.6
BETHANY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Overland Park, KS 4.5
Noble Prentis Elem Kansas City, KS 4.5
Burlingame Elementary Burlingame, KS 4.4
HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL Paola, KS 4.4
McCormick Elementary Olsburg, KS 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland Elem

What grades does Highland Elem serve?

Highland Elem serves students in grades 2nd through 3rd.

How many students attend Highland Elem?

Highland Elem has an enrollment of approximately 136 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Elem?

The student-teacher ratio at Highland Elem is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highland Elem rank in KS?

Highland Elem is ranked #1129 out of 1,293 schools in KS.

What is Highland Elem's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Elem has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Elem?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Elem has 47.8% math proficiency and 32.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Highland Elem a charter school?

No, Highland Elem is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Highland Elem a Title I school?

No, Highland Elem is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Elem?

65.4% of students at Highland Elem 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

City Safety
High (2,031/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
2nd – 3rd
Enrollment
136
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Cherokee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Columbus
District Enrollment
990
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,603
District Rank
#4 of 4

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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