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Excellent

#71 of 1,284 schools in KY

Top 6% in state

Highlands High School

High School · Fort Thomas Independent

2400 Memorial Pkwy, Fort Thomas, KY 41075

Enrollment

1,022

Student-Teacher

17.6:1

Score

8.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fort Thomas

#1 of 5

public schools

Kentucky high schools

#14 of 279

In district

#1 of 5

Fort Thomas Independent

Academic performance

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Highlands High School

Highlands High School is a public high school in Fort Thomas, KY, part of the Fort Thomas Independent. The school serves approximately 1,022 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 94.5th percentile among KY schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 69% proficiency in math and 71% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.1/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $99,075, where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a large suburban setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.1Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.3Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency73%
Reading/ELA Proficiency80%
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected+7.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
College Readiness10.0Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation49.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.4Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,303

Highlands High School — Students at Highlands High School score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 68.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 71.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
71%
ELA
76%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
73%
ELA
80%

* 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: 9.1/10.

How Highlands High School Compares

See how Highlands High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.3/10
95th percentile in KY
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
9.1/10
Above average
Environment
3.4/10
Below average

Location

2400 Memorial Pkwy, Fort Thomas, KY 41075

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highlands High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Dayton High School (rated 7.0/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Dayton), a more accessible option. Another option is Newport High School (rated 6.6/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Newport), a more accessible option. Additionally, Bellevue High School (rated 6.4/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Bellevue), a more accessible option. For more schools in Fort Thomas, see our Fort Thomas schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Highlands Middle School Fort Thomas 0.0 mi 7.2
Moyer Elementary School Fort Thomas 0.5 mi 6.6
Johnson Elementary School Fort Thomas 0.5 mi 8.3
ST THOMAS SCHOOL Fort Thomas 0.8 mi 4.6
ST CATHERINE OF SIENA Fort Thomas 0.9 mi 7.4
COUNTRY HILLS MONTESSORI FT THOMAS Fort Thomas 1.2 mi
ST THERESE SCHOOL Southgate 1.4 mi 5.8
Woodfill Elementary School Fort Thomas 1.8 mi 8.1
Southgate Public School Southgate 1.5 mi 4.5
Grandview Elementary School Bellevue 1.8 mi 3.3
Riverview East Academy Cincinnati 2.1 mi 4.8
NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Newport 1.8 mi 5.6
Newport High School Newport 2.0 mi 6.6
Bellevue High School Bellevue 2.1 mi 6.4
Lincoln Elementary School Dayton 2.4 mi 6.6
Dayton High School Dayton 2.5 mi 7.0
HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL Newport 2.1 mi 7.4
Newport Primary School Newport 2.1 mi 8.2
MONTESSORI CENTER ROOM Cincinnati 2.8 mi
TRENT MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL Newport 2.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 41075 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$99,075

Median Home Value

$298,700

Median Rent

$1,096/mo

Population

17,433

College Educated

55.1%

Homeownership

70.1%

Avg Commute

20.6 min

Poverty Rate

4.9%

Median Age

38

Community Profile

The community surrounding Highlands High School has a median household income of $99,075. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $298,700, with a median rent of $1,096/month. The local poverty rate of 4.9% is relatively low. 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
Boyle County High School Danville, KY 8.3
McCreary Central High School Stearns, KY 8.3
Central High Magnet Career Academy Louisville, KY 8.5
Bowling Green High School Bowling Green, KY 8.1
Franklin-Simpson High School Franklin, KY 8.1
Southwestern High School Somerset, KY 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highlands High School

What grades does Highlands High School serve?

Highlands High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Highlands High School?

Highlands High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,022 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Highlands High School is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highlands High School rank in KY?

Highlands High School is ranked #71 out of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Highlands High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highlands High School has a composite rating of 8.3 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 High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highlands High School has 68.7% math proficiency and 71.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Highlands High School a charter school?

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

Is Highlands High School a Title I school?

No, Highlands High School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
38 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (535/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,022
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
58
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Campbell County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Fort Thomas Independent
District Enrollment
3,167
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,975
District Rank
#1 of 5

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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