Average

#553 of 1,284 schools in KY

Top 43% in state

Highland Elementary School

Elementary School · Johnson County

649 Us 23 South, Staffordsville, KY 41256

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

407

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

6.6

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Enrollment

407

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

6.6

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#553 of 1,284

In district

#5 of 8

Johnson County

Academic performance

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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Elementary School in Staffordsville · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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About Highland Elementary School

Highland Elementary School is a public elementary school in Staffordsville, KY, part of Johnson County. Highland Elementary School serves approximately 407 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #553 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for Highland Elementary School show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts above district

6.6

This school 6.6 · Average
District avg 6.2
KY avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Highland Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

40% of students at Highland Elementary 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 metrics

Student Progress5.7Average50%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data15

Annual Change-1.41 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2025

TrendDeclining

Academics8.7Excellent30%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency51.8% (2025 KSA)

Reading/ELA Proficiency61% (2025 KSA)

Overall Proficiency56% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)

vs. Expected+12.0 pts

Adjusted Percentile80th

Resources & Environment5.7Average20%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio14:1

Per-Pupil Spending$13,833

Chronic Absenteeism39.6%

Highland Elementary School — Students at Highland Elementary School score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 51.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 60.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)

School

State

N/A

Based on 38 test records from KY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009

Math

79%

ELA

83%

2010

Math

78%

ELA

83%

2011

Math

52%

ELA

46%

2012

Math

51%

ELA

55%

2013

Math

59%

ELA

66%

2014

Math

49%

ELA

57%

2015

Math

49%

ELA

63%

2016

Math

53%

ELA

60%

2017

Math

56%

ELA

66%

2018

Math

52%

ELA

61%

2019

Math

52%

ELA

61%

2020*

Math

27%

ELA

42%

2021*

Math

27%

ELA

42%

2022

Math

41%

ELA

58%

2025

Math

51.8%

ELA

61%

* 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: 5.7/10.

How Highland Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score

6.6/10

57th percentile in KY

Academic

8.7/10

Excellent

Growth

5.7/10

Average

Environment

5.7/10

Average

Gifted & Talented

Yes

Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

59%

Teaching Staff

14:1 student-teacher ratio

29 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

39.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available

This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

649 Us 23 South, Staffordsville, KY 41256

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Blaine Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Blaine), which scores notably higher. Another option is W R Castle Memorial Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Wittensville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Paintsville Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Paintsville), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Staffordsville, see our Staffordsville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.7 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Johnson Central High School Paintsville	1.3 mi	913	8.3
Johnson County Eagle Academy Paintsville	1.3 mi	149	6.1
Johnson County Middle School Paintsville	1.4 mi	443	7.0
OUR LADY OF THE MOUNTAINS SCHOOL Paintsville	1.6 mi	18	—
Paintsville Elementary School Paintsville	1.7 mi	453	6.7
Paintsville High School Paintsville	1.8 mi	321	7.7
Central Elementary School Paintsville	3.2 mi	336	5.0
W R Castle Memorial Elementary School Wittensville	4.5 mi	414	7.0
THE PIARIST SCHOOL Hager Hill	4.9 mi	31	7.2
Porter Elementary School Hagerhill	5.0 mi	413	5.9
Flat Gap Elementary School Flatgap	9.2 mi	229	6.7
Prestonsburg High School Prestonsburg	9.7 mi	498	5.3
HOME INSTRUCTION ELEMENTARY Prestonsburg	10.4 mi	5	—
HOME INSTRUCTION H.S. Prestonsburg	10.4 mi	16	—
Prestonsburg Elementary School Prestonsburg	10.9 mi	662	3.1
James D. Adams Middle School Prestonsburg	10.9 mi	302	4.2
Magoffin County High School Salyersville	11.9 mi	586	5.4
Allen Elementary School Allen	14.0 mi	482	4.8
Blaine Elementary School Blaine	15.3 mi	154	7.8
WESLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Allen	14.7 mi	94	6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 41256 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,803

Median Home Value

$269,200

Median Rent

$727/mo

Population

2,200

College Educated

25.1%

Homeownership

74.1%

Poverty Rate

19.3%

Median Age

40.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School	Enrollment	Rating
Cochran Elementary Louisville, KY	375	6.6
Grapevine Elementary School Madisonville, KY	313	6.6
Lincoln Elementary School Dayton, KY	501	6.6
Madison Kindergarten Academy Richmond, KY	418	6.6
Parker-Bennett-Curry School Bowling Green, KY	361	6.6
South Edmonson Elementary School Smiths Grove, KY	454	6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland Elementary School

What grades does Highland Elementary School serve?

Highland Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Highland Elementary School?

Highland Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 407 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary School is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highland Elementary School rank in KY?

Highland Elementary School ranks #553 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Highland Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 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 Highland Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Elementary School has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Highland Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Highland Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Highland Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

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

58.5% of students at Highland Elementary 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.