Average
#209 of 379 private schools in MD
The Highlands School
School
2409 CRESWELL RD, Bel Air, MD 21015
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 16 schools in Bel Air. Learn more
Enrollment
65
Student-Teacher
3.3:1
Score
6.3
Grades
1st – 12th
Enrollment
65
Student-Teacher
3.3:1
Score
6.3
Grades
1st – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Bel Air
#2 of 7
public schools
Maryland schools
#82 of 128
Academic performance
7.5 / 10
Strong
About The Highlands School
The Highlands School is a K-12 public school located in Bel Air, Maryland, within the rural setting of Harford County. With an enrollment of 65 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 3.3:1, The Highlands School offers a personalized learning environment with small class sizes. The school has 20 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education in a close-knit community.
Despite not having specific test score data available, the MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and state ranking of #265 out of 379 schools indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development and academic improvement. The Highlands School strives to provide a supportive educational experience for its students in a rural setting near Bel Air. The school's location offers a peaceful, small-town atmosphere that complements its nurturing approach to education.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 65 students, The Highlands School 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 3.3:1, The Highlands School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, The Highlands School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow The Highlands School compares to 16 public schools serving similar grades in Bel Air, MD
Student Demographics
Nearby Other Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| The Highlands School (this school) | 6.3 |
| Patterson Mill High School | 5.4 |
| Patterson Mill Middle School | 5.3 |
| Fountain Green Elementary | 8.6 |
| Emmorton Elementary | 8.1 |
| Ring Factory Elementary | 7.7 |
| Harford Academy at Campus Hills | 4.0 |
| Prospect Mill Elementary | 7.9 |
| Harford Technical High | 4.9 |
| Homestead/Wakefield Elementary | 8.1 |
| Bel Air Middle | 6.2 |
| Southampton Middle | 6.9 |
| Bel Air High | 5.6 |
| Bel Air Elementary | 7.0 |
| C. Milton Wright High | 5.2 |
| Hickory Elementary | 7.8 |
| Red Pump Elementary School | 7.9 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MD.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in MD
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
2409 CRESWELL RD, Bel Air, MD 21015
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering The Highlands School may also want to explore other schools in the area. EMMORTON BAPTIST ACADEMY (rated 5.7/10, 3.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is GRACE CLASSICAL ACADEMY (rated 5.6/10, 0.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Harford Academy at Campus Hills (rated 4.0/10, 4.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bel Air, see our Bel Air schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GRACE CLASSICAL ACADEMY Bel Air | 0.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Church Creek Elementary Belcamp | 1.9 mi | 7.9 |
| William S. James Elementary Abingdon | 2.7 mi | 6.9 |
| THE MONARCH MONTESSORI SCHOOL Churchville | 3.8 mi | — |
| Fountain Green Elementary Bel Air | 3.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Old Post Road Elementary Abingdon | 3.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Harford Academy at Campus Hills Bel Air | 4.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Patterson Mill High School Bel Air | 3.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Patterson Mill Middle School Bel Air | 3.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Churchville Elementary Churchville | 4.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Prospect Mill Elementary Bel Air | 4.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Harford Technical High Bel Air | 4.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Abingdon Elementary Abingdon | 3.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Emmorton Elementary Bel Air | 3.7 mi | 8.1 |
| EMMORTON BAPTIST ACADEMY Bel Air | 3.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Ring Factory Elementary Bel Air | 3.8 mi | 7.7 |
| JOHN CARROLL SCHOOL Bel Air | 4.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Edgewood High Edgewood | 5.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Edgewood Middle Edgewood | 5.5 mi | 6.0 |
| G. Lisby Elementary at Hillsdale Aberdeen | 4.4 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21015 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$137,219
Median Home Value
$418,400
Median Rent
$1,730/mo
Population
30,451
College Educated
52.2%
Homeownership
90.5%
Avg Commute
32.9 min
Poverty Rate
4.8%
Median Age
40.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding The Highlands School has a median household income of $137,219. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $418,400, with a median rent of $1,730/month. The local poverty rate of 4.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| FOUNDATION LEARNING CENTER THE Landover, MD | 6.2 |
| TRUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hagerstown, MD | 6.4 |
| FAIRHAVEN SCHOOL Upper Marlboro, MD | 6.0 |
| GLENWOOD ACADEMY Glenwood, MD | 6.0 |
| MUSLIM COMMUNITY SCHOOL/ALIM ACADEMY Potomac, MD | 6.6 |
| LAUREL HALL SCHOOL Frederick, MD | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The Highlands School
What grades does The Highlands School serve?
The Highlands School serves students in grades 1st through 12th.
How many students attend The Highlands School?
The Highlands School has an enrollment of approximately 65 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The Highlands School?
The student-teacher ratio at The Highlands School is 3.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does The Highlands School rank in MD?
The Highlands School is ranked #209 out of 379 private schools in MD.
What is The Highlands School's MySchoolScout rating?
The Highlands School has a composite rating of 6.3 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.
Is The Highlands School a private school?
Yes, The Highlands School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is The Highlands School a religious school?
No, The Highlands School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,245/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bel Air). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- 1st – 12th
- Enrollment
- 65
- Gender Split
- 55% M / 45% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 3.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 170 days
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- HARFORD
- Phone
- (410) 836-1415
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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