Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#1913 of 1,992 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

3.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#1,913 of 1,992

In Columbia Heights

#8 of 9

public schools

In district

#4 of 6

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Highland Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Highland Elementary

3.7/10

Elementary School in Columbia Heights · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Early Childhood

5.8/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Virtual Heights Secondary

Nearby

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Highland Elementary

Highland Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia Heights, MN, part of COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST. Highland Elementary serves approximately 512 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,913 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Highland Elementary show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.6 pts above district
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.1
  • MN avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.03 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency26% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency26% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)24% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+2.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,617
Chronic Absenteeism28.7%

Highland Elementary — Students at Highland Elementary score 26% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

80.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 40.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
59%
ELA
58%
2010
Math
55%
ELA
56%
2011
Math
58%
ELA
79%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
45%
2013
Math
53%
ELA
46%
2014
Math
43%
ELA
41%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
45%
ELA
41%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
30%
ELA
40%
2019
Math
30%
ELA
40%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
26%
ELA
26%

* 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: 2.1/10.

How Highland Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.7/10
4th percentile in MN
Academic
5.3/10
Average
Growth
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.4/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
81%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
28.7%

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

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. WAITE PARK ELEMENTARY (rated 8.7/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Minneapolis), which scores notably higher. Another option is Prodeo Columbia Heights Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bultum Academy (rated 7.1/10, 0.9 miles away), 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 5.8
Virtual Heights Secondary Columbia Heights 0.0 mi
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS SENIOR HIGH Columbia Heights 0.1 mi 5.8
Anchor Columbia Heights 0.1 mi
Columbia Heights Transition Program Columbia Heights 0.1 mi
COLUMBIA ACADEMY Columbia Heights 0.6 mi 4.6
Columbia Academy Anchor Program Columbia Heights 0.6 mi
GLOBAL ACADEMY New Brighton 0.6 mi 6.4
LITTLE VOYAGEURS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia Heights 0.7 mi
VALLEY VIEW ELEMENTARY Columbia Heights 0.6 mi 2.8
Bultum Academy Columbia Heights 0.9 mi 7.1
North Park School for Innovation Fridley 1.0 mi 2.9
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 6.3
FRIDLEY SENIOR HIGH Fridley 1.6 mi 5.7
TRANSITIONS SCHOOL Fridley 1.6 mi
WAITE PARK ELEMENTARY Minneapolis 1.8 mi 8.7
Prodeo Columbia Heights Primary Columbia Heights 1.4 mi 4.5
Prodeo Columbia Heights Elementary Columbia Heights 1.4 mi 8.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
NEVELN ELEMENTARY Austin, MN 3.7
SKY OAKS ELEMENTARY Burnsville, MN 3.7
BRYN MAWR ELEMENTARY Minneapolis, MN 3.8
FROST LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Saint Paul, MN 3.8
Great River Elementary School Saint Paul, MN 3.8
INDIAN MOUNDS ELEMENTARY Bloomington, MN 3.8

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 ranks #1,913 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Highland Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Elementary has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
45 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
34 Some Transit
Bike Score
53 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
28.7%

District

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST
District Enrollment
3,420
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,617
District Rank
#4 of 6

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.