Average
#1317 of 1,986 schools in MN
Highland Elementary
Elementary School · COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST
1500 49TH AVE NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
Enrollment
512
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
512
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia Heights
#7 of 9
public schools
Minnesota elementary schools
#752 of 962
In district
#4 of 6
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST
About Highland Elementary
Highland Elementary is a regular public school nestled in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 512 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each child succeed. The dedicated staff includes 32 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students' academic growth.
According to MySchoolScout's metrics, Highland Elementary ranks at 4.5 out of 10 overall and in the 28th percentile among Minnesota schools, with an academic score of 3.0 out of 10. In reading and math proficiency tests, the school shows that 29% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 24% in Math. While these scores indicate areas for improvement, Highland Elementary remains committed to fostering a supportive learning environment focused on student development.
Highland Elementary is situated in a large suburban area, providing easy access to local amenities and community resources. The school’s setting offers students a vibrant neighborhood with plenty of opportunities for extracurricular activities and social engagement.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Highland Elementary — Students at Highland Elementary score 26% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MN 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: 5.8/10.
How Highland Elementary Compares
See how Highland Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 26% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 26% (2022).
Location
1500 49TH AVE NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highland Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Prodeo Columbia Heights Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bultum Academy (rated 7.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WAITE PARK ELEMENTARY (rated 7.9/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Minneapolis), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia Heights, see our Columbia Heights schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| EARLY CHILDHOOD Columbia Heights | 0.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Virtual Heights Secondary Columbia Heights | 0.0 mi | — |
| COLUMBIA HEIGHTS SENIOR HIGH Columbia Heights | 0.1 mi | 3.9 |
| Anchor Columbia Heights | 0.1 mi | — |
| Columbia Heights Transition Program Columbia Heights | 0.1 mi | — |
| COLUMBIA ACADEMY Columbia Heights | 0.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Columbia Academy Anchor Program Columbia Heights | 0.6 mi | — |
| GLOBAL ACADEMY New Brighton | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| LITTLE VOYAGEURS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia Heights | 0.7 mi | — |
| VALLEY VIEW ELEMENTARY Columbia Heights | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Bultum Academy Columbia Heights | 0.9 mi | 7.9 |
| North Park School for Innovation Fridley | 1.0 mi | 6.0 |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL Columbia Heights | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| TOTINO-GRACE HIGH SCHOOL Fridley | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Highview Middle School New Brighton | 1.2 mi | 4.8 |
| FRIDLEY SENIOR HIGH Fridley | 1.6 mi | 5.9 |
| TRANSITIONS SCHOOL Fridley | 1.6 mi | — |
| WAITE PARK ELEMENTARY Minneapolis | 1.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Prodeo Columbia Heights Primary Columbia Heights | 1.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Prodeo Columbia Heights Elementary Columbia Heights | 1.4 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55421 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,141
Median Home Value
$260,500
Median Rent
$1,281/mo
Population
31,051
College Educated
34.3%
Homeownership
60.4%
Avg Commute
22.9 min
Poverty Rate
12.4%
Median Age
36.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highland Elementary has a median household income of $75,141. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $260,500, with a median rent of $1,281/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.4%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| BLACKDUCK ELEMENTARY Blackduck, MN | 5.7 |
| Folwell Elementary Minneapolis, MN | 5.7 |
| JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY Blaine, MN | 5.7 |
| Orchard Lake Elementary Lakeville, MN | 5.7 |
| PINE RIVER-BACKUS ELEMENTARY Pine River, MN | 5.7 |
| ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY Faribault, MN | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highland Elementary
What grades does Highland Elementary serve?
Highland Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Highland Elementary?
Highland Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 512 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highland Elementary rank in MN?
Highland Elementary is ranked #1317 out of 1,986 schools in MN.
What is Highland Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Elementary has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Elementary has 24.3% math proficiency and 29.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highland Elementary a charter school?
No, Highland Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highland Elementary a Title I school?
No, Highland Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Elementary?
80.7% of students at Highland Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,515/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbia Heights). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 512
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 80.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Anoka County
- Phone
- (763) 528-4405
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST- District Enrollment
- 3,420
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,617
- District Rank
- #4 of 6
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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