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Average

#1942 of 2,648 schools in NC

Highland Elementary

Elementary School · Alamance-Burlington Schools

3720 Bonnar Bridge Parkway, Burlington, NC 27215

Enrollment

630

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

5.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,942 of 2,648

In Burlington

#6 of 15

public schools

In district

#15 of 36

Alamance-Burlington Schools

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Highland Elementary

5.1/10

Elementary School in Burlington · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Children's House Montessori School

Nearby

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

Marvin B Smith Elementary

6.7/10

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

About Highland Elementary

Highland Elementary is a public elementary school in Burlington, NC, part of Alamance-Burlington Schools. Highland Elementary serves approximately 630 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,942 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Highland Elementary show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 5.1 · Average
  • District avg 4.6
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Highland Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.3Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.02 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.6% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency48.4% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-9.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.8 pts
Overall Proficiency52% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)61% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-9.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
Resources & Environment6.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,925
Chronic Absenteeism24.8%

Highland Elementary — Students at Highland Elementary score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 59.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 56.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
84%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
86%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
56%
2013
Math
58%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
61%
ELA
58%
2016
Math
56%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
59%
ELA
55%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
41%
ELA
49%
2021*
Math
41%
ELA
49%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
49%
2025
Math
54.7%
ELA
48.8%

* 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: 4.3/10.

How Highland Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
27th percentile in NC
Academic
5.5/10
Average
Growth
4.3/10
Below Average
Environment
6.4/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.8%

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

3720 Bonnar Bridge Parkway, Burlington, NC 27215

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 4.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Marvin B Smith Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Edwin M Holt Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Burlington, see our Burlington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.1 mi
School Distance Rating
CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Burlington 2.1 mi
Marvin B Smith Elementary Burlington 2.5 mi 6.7
PROVIDENCE, A CHRIST MON CO Burlington 2.6 mi 6.8
Edwin M Holt Elementary Burlington 3.0 mi 6.5
Gibsonville Elementary Gibsonville 3.8 mi 5.9
Grove Park Elementary Burlington 3.5 mi 3.0
Elon Elementary Elon 4.3 mi 5.2
Turrentine Middle Burlington 3.8 mi 2.5
THE BURLINGTON SCHOOL Burlington 4.1 mi 7.9
Hillcrest Elementary Burlington 4.3 mi 3.0
Walter M Williams High Burlington 4.2 mi 5.9
BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL Burlington 4.7 mi 7.0
BURLINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Burlington 4.7 mi 6.9
Western Alamance High Elon 6.6 mi 6.2
Harvey R Newlin Elementary Burlington 5.5 mi 4.0
Alamance Virtual School Burlington 5.8 mi 5.3
Eastern Guilford High Gibsonville 6.0 mi 6.0
Eastern Guilford Middle Gibsonville 6.0 mi 4.9
Western Alamance Middle Elon 7.2 mi 4.1
Sedalia Elementary Sedalia 6.1 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27215 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,669

Median Home Value

$241,700

Median Rent

$1,112/mo

Population

45,967

College Educated

36.9%

Homeownership

61%

Avg Commute

23.7 min

Poverty Rate

10.7%

Median Age

41.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Adams Elementary Cary, NC 5.1
Cullowhee Valley School Cullowhee, NC 5.1
Edneyville Elementary Hendersonville, NC 5.1
Glenwood Elementary School Marion, NC 5.1
Griffith Elementary Winston-Salem, NC 5.1
J. H. Gunn Elementary Charlotte, NC 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland Elementary

What grades does Highland Elementary serve?

Highland Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Highland Elementary?

Highland Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 630 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary is 15.4:1. 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 NC?

Highland Elementary ranks #1,942 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Highland Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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?

51.7% 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
630
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
51.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Alamance County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.8%

District

Alamance-Burlington Schools
District Enrollment
22,477
Schools in District
38
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,925
District Rank
#15 of 36

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