Below Average
#1231 of 1,293 schools in KS
Highland Park High
High School · Topeka Public Schools
2424 SE California Ave, Topeka, KS 66605
Enrollment
836
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
4.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
836
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
4.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Topeka
#40 of 41
public schools
Kansas high schools
#312 of 336
In district
#25 of 25
Topeka Public Schools
About Highland Park High
Highland Park High serves grades 9 through 12 in Topeka, Kansas, with an enrollment of 836 students. As a regular public high school, it maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1 with 53 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Highland Park High is working with significant challenges.
The school's state ranking places it in the 8th percentile among Kansas schools, indicating substantial room for academic growth. Current proficiency rates show 12% of students meeting standards in ELA/Reading and 6% in Math, suggesting the school is focusing on strengthening foundational skills across both subject areas. These metrics point to a school community actively engaged in improving student outcomes and supporting learners who may need additional academic support.
Located at 2424 SE California Avenue in Topeka's mid-size city setting, Highland Park High serves families in the surrounding Shawnee County area. For parents considering this school, it's worth having conversations directly with administrators about the school's intervention programs, tutoring options, and any initiatives designed to help students build core academic competencies.
Score Breakdown
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Highland Park High — Students at Highland Park High score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
87.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from KS 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: 4.9/10.
How Highland Park High Compares
See how Highland Park High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 9% (2019) to 2% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 7.5% (2022).
Location
2424 SE California Ave, Topeka, KS 66605
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highland Park High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Meadows Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MATER DEI CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Shawnee Heights Elem (rated 7.1/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Topeka, see our Topeka schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Highland Park Central Topeka | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| ST MATTHEW CATHOLIC SCHOOL Topeka | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Eisenhower Middle School Topeka | 1.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Ross Elementary Topeka | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Scott Dual Language Magnet Topeka | 1.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Williams Science and Fine Arts Magnet School Topeka | 1.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Chase Middle School Topeka | 2.6 mi | 5.4 |
| State Street Elem Topeka | 2.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Avondale Academy Topeka | 2.5 mi | — |
| Topeka High Topeka | 2.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Robinson Middle School Topeka | 2.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Shawnee Heights Elem Topeka | 2.5 mi | 7.1 |
| MATER DEI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Topeka | 2.8 mi | 7.4 |
| CAIR PARAVEL LATIN SCHOOL Topeka | 3.0 mi | 5.9 |
| CAIR PARAVEL LATIN SCHOOL Topeka | 3.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Meadows Elementary Topeka | 3.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Quincy Elem Topeka | 3.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Lowman Hill Elem Topeka | 3.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Jardine Elementary Topeka | 3.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Jardine Middle School Topeka | 3.3 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 66605 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,623
Median Home Value
$157,200
Median Rent
$856/mo
Population
20,592
College Educated
20%
Homeownership
69%
Avg Commute
20.1 min
Poverty Rate
13.5%
Median Age
37.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highland Park High has a median household income of $57,623. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $157,200, with a median rent of $856/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.5%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Buhler High Buhler, KS | 4.0 |
| Circle High Towanda, KS | 4.1 |
| Maize South High School Wichita, KS | 4.1 |
| Andover Central High School Andover, KS | 3.9 |
| El Dorado High El Dorado, KS | 3.9 |
| Goddard High Goddard, KS | 3.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highland Park High
What grades does Highland Park High serve?
Highland Park High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Highland Park High?
Highland Park High has an enrollment of approximately 836 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Park High?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland Park High is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highland Park High rank in KS?
Highland Park High is ranked #1231 out of 1,293 schools in KS.
What is Highland Park High's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Park High has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Park High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Park High has 6.2% math proficiency and 11.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highland Park High a charter school?
No, Highland Park High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highland Park High a Title I school?
No, Highland Park High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Park High?
87.6% of students at Highland Park High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,517/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Topeka). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 836
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 53
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 87.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Shawnee County
- Phone
- (785) 274-6000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Topeka Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 12,601
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,935
- District Rank
- #25 of 25
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.
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