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Very Good

#314 of 1,284 schools in KY

Top 24% in state

Highlands Middle School

Middle School · Fort Thomas Independent

2350 Memorial Pkwy, Fort Thomas, KY 41075

Enrollment

733

Student-Teacher

15.9:1

Score

7.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fort Thomas

#4 of 5

public schools

Kentucky middle schools

#23 of 216

In district

#4 of 5

Fort Thomas Independent

Academic performance

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Highlands Middle School

Highlands Middle School serves 733 students in grades 6-8 in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing middle schools. With a ranking of 61st out of 1,288 Kentucky schools, placing it in the 95th percentile, the school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement through its 8.0 MySchoolScout rating and impressive 9.7 academic score. Students at Highlands Middle School benefit from a favorable 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio supported by 46 full-time equivalent teachers.

The school's academic strength is evident in its standardized test performance, with 69% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 66% reach proficiency in Mathematics across all grade levels. The school draws from an affluent and well-educated community in Campbell County, where the median household income reaches $93,750 and 54% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a low poverty rate of just 5.9% and median home values of $271,900, the ZIP code 41075 reflects a stable, education-focused environment that supports student success.

Highlands Middle School operates as a regular public school in Fort Thomas's large suburban setting, providing students with both academic excellence and the advantages of a well-resourced community environment.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.3Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency66%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69%
Overall Proficiency68%
Expected (poverty-adj.)69%
vs. Expected-1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
Resources & Environment5.2Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,303

Highlands Middle School — Students at Highlands Middle School score 68% proficient, which is below 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 62.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 70.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
68%
ELA
78%
2021*
Math
53%
ELA
64%
2022
Math
66%
ELA
69%

* 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: 7.5/10.

How Highlands Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
76th percentile in KY
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Location

2350 Memorial Pkwy, Fort Thomas, KY 41075

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highlands Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Highlands High School (rated 8.3/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is Johnson Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Newport Primary School (rated 8.2/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Newport), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Fort Thomas, see our Fort Thomas schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Highlands High School Fort Thomas 0.0 mi 8.3
Johnson Elementary School Fort Thomas 0.5 mi 8.3
Moyer Elementary School Fort Thomas 0.6 mi 6.6
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 1.3 mi
ST THERESE SCHOOL Southgate 1.4 mi 5.8
Southgate Public School Southgate 1.5 mi 4.5
Woodfill Elementary School Fort Thomas 1.8 mi 8.1
Grandview Elementary School Bellevue 1.8 mi 3.3
Riverview East Academy Cincinnati 2.1 mi 4.8
NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Newport 1.7 mi 5.6
Newport High School Newport 1.9 mi 6.6
Bellevue High School Bellevue 2.1 mi 6.4
Lincoln Elementary School Dayton 2.3 mi 6.6
Dayton High School Dayton 2.4 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 2.7 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 Middle 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
Walton-Verona Middle School Walton, KY 7.3
Winburn Middle School Lexington, KY 7.3
Corbin Middle School Corbin, KY 7.1
F T Burns Middle School Owensboro, KY 7.1
Bowling Green Junior High Bowling Green, KY 7.4
Georgetown Middle School Georgetown, KY 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highlands Middle School

What grades does Highlands Middle School serve?

Highlands Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Highlands Middle School?

Highlands Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 733 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Middle School is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highlands Middle School rank in KY?

Highlands Middle School is ranked #314 out of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Highlands Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highlands Middle School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highlands Middle School has 62.3% math proficiency and 70.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Highlands Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Highlands Middle School a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
35 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 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
6th – 8th
Enrollment
733
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
46
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
#4 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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