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Average

#729 of 1,986 schools in MN

Top 37% in state

Highlands Elementary

Elementary School · EDINA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

5505 DONCASTER WAY, Edina, MN 55436

Enrollment

554

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Edina

#9 of 12

public schools

Minnesota elementary schools

#484 of 962

In district

#8 of 10

EDINA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic performance

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Highlands Elementary

Highlands Elementary serves 554 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Edina, Minnesota, with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 across its 37 full-time equivalent faculty members. This regular public school has earned impressive recognition, ranking 92nd out of 2,027 elementary schools statewide and placing in the 96th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, with 76% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 67% meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics.

These results contribute to an outstanding academic score of 9.5 out of 10, reflecting the school's commitment to educational excellence. Located on Doncaster Way, Highlands Elementary sits within an affluent and highly educated community where the median household income reaches $133,630 and 70% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood features a median home value of $571,500 and maintains a low poverty rate of just 3%, creating a stable environment that supports student learning.

Highlands Elementary operates within Edina's small city setting, serving families in this well-established community known for its commitment to education and family-oriented atmosphere.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.28 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.1Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67%
Reading/ELA Proficiency76%
Overall Proficiency72%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected+9.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.3Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,558

Highlands Elementary — Students at Highlands Elementary score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

14.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 72.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 77.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
82%
ELA
80%
2021*
Math
68%
ELA
76%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
76%

* 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: 5.9/10.

How Highlands Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
63th percentile in MN
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
5.9/10
Above average
Environment
6.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
14%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

Location

5505 DONCASTER WAY, Edina, MN 55436

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highlands Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. COUNTRYSIDE ELEMENTARY (rated 9.1/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CONCORD ELEMENTARY (rated 8.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Agamim Classical Academy (rated 8.0/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Edina, see our Edina schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
COUNTRYSIDE ELEMENTARY Edina 0.7 mi 9.1
OUR LADY OF GRACE SCHOOL Edina 0.6 mi 4.7
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL ED Edina 0.9 mi 7.9
SPECIAL ED-NON PUBLIC Edina 0.9 mi
Edina Secondary Virtual Pathway Edina 0.9 mi
NORMANDALE ELEMENTARY Edina 0.9 mi 7.6
SOUTH VIEW MIDDLE Edina 1.0 mi 6.4
CONCORD ELEMENTARY Edina 1.1 mi 8.4
EDINA SENIOR HIGH Edina 1.6 mi 7.8
OPTIONS AT EDINA HIGH SCHOOL Edina 1.6 mi
CREEK VALLEY ELEMENTARY Edina 1.6 mi 6.5
VALLEY VIEW MIDDLE Edina 1.8 mi 7.6
THE BLAKE SCHOOL Hopkins 1.7 mi 8.1
SUSAN LINDGREN ELEMENTARY Saint Louis Park 2.0 mi 7.4
ST. LOUIS PARK SPECIAL ED. PROGRAM Saint Louis Park 2.4 mi 7.7
HARLEY HOPKINS FAMILY CENTER Hopkins 1.9 mi 7.3
METROPOLITAN OPEN SCHOOL Saint Louis Park 2.4 mi
CHESTERTON ACADEMY Edina 1.7 mi 8.4
Agamim Classical Academy Edina 1.7 mi 8.0
ST. LOUIS PARK SENIOR HIGH Saint Louis Park 2.6 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55436 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$132,487

Median Home Value

$595,500

Median Rent

$1,855/mo

Population

14,573

College Educated

70.9%

Homeownership

75.1%

Avg Commute

19 min

Poverty Rate

3.9%

Median Age

47

Community Profile

The community surrounding Highlands Elementary has a median household income of $132,487. It is a well-educated community where 71% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $595,500, with a median rent of $1,855/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
BIRCH GROVE SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS Brooklyn Park, MN 6.9
Burnside Elementary Red Wing, MN 6.9
CARONDELET CATHOLIC Minneapolis, MN 6.9
CENTRAL PARK ELEMENTARY Roseville, MN 6.9
CRESTVIEW ELEMENTARY Cottage Grove, MN 6.9
Cedar Park Elementary STEM School Apple Valley, MN 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highlands Elementary

What grades does Highlands Elementary serve?

Highlands Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Highlands Elementary?

Highlands Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 554 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highlands Elementary rank in MN?

Highlands Elementary is ranked #729 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Highlands Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Highlands Elementary has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highlands Elementary has 72.3% math proficiency and 77.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Highlands Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Highlands Elementary a Title I school?

No, Highlands Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highlands Elementary?

14.4% of students at Highlands 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

City Safety
High (1,567/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
554
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
14.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Hennepin County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

EDINA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
8,609
Schools in District
14
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,953
District Rank
#8 of 10

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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