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Average

#1609 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Highlands Elementary School

Elementary School · Highlands Borough School District

360 NAVESINK AVENUE Hwy #36, Highlands, NJ 07732

Enrollment

160

Student-Teacher

8:1

Score

5.8

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#1,609 of 2,466

In Highlands

#3 of 3

public schools

School environment

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Highlands Elementary School

5.8/10

Elementary School in Highlands · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Henry Hudson Regional School

5.8/10

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

Forrestdale School

8.1/10

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

About Highlands Elementary School

Highlands Elementary School is a public elementary school in Highlands, NJ, part of Highlands Borough School District. Highlands Elementary School serves approximately 160 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 8:1 student-teacher ratio. Highlands Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,609 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Highlands Elementary School show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.7 pts below NJ schools
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • NJ avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 160 students, Highlands Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

At 8:1 students to teachers, Highlands Elementary School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.6 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30.1% (2024 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.5% (2024 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-17.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.6 pts
Overall Proficiency40% (2024 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2024 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-6.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
Resources & Environment9.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$45,382
Chronic Absenteeism3.1%

Highlands Elementary School — Students at Highlands Elementary School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 44.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.6% (2024 NJSLA)
ELA Proficiency 52.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
50.4% (2024 NJSLA)

Based on 37 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2024
Math
30.1%
ELA
49.5%

* 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: 4.7/10.

How Highlands Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
35th percentile in NJ
Academic
5.1/10
Average
Growth
4.7/10
Below Average
Environment
9.8/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
3.1%

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

360 NAVESINK AVENUE Hwy #36, Highlands, NJ 07732

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highlands Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Point Road School (rated 8.4/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Little Silver), which scores notably higher. Another option is Monmouth Beach Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Monmouth Beach), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Leonardo Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Leonardo), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Highlands, see our Highlands schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Henry Hudson Regional School Highlands 0.9 mi 5.8
Forrestdale School Rumson 2.2 mi 8.1
Deane-Porter Elementary School Rumson 2.3 mi 6.4
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School Rumson 2.4 mi 7.7
Navesink Elementary School Atlantic Highlands 1.8 mi 5.5
HOLY CROSS ACADEMY Rumson 2.7 mi 6.2
Atlantic Highlands Elementary School Atlantic Highlands 2.3 mi 6.0
THE RUMSON COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Rumson 2.9 mi 6.7
SMART START PRESCHOOL Fair Haven 3.3 mi
Viola L Sickles School Fair Haven 3.3 mi 5.9
Marine Academy of Science and Technology Highlands 3.9 mi 7.7
Bayshore Middle School Leonardo 3.3 mi 7.2
Leonardo Elementary School Leonardo 3.3 mi 8.2
MOUNTAIN HILL SCHOOL Atlantic Highlands 3.4 mi
Knollwood School Fair Haven 4.1 mi 7.1
Red Bank Regional High School Little Silver 4.4 mi 7.1
Monmouth Beach Elementary School Monmouth Beach 5.1 mi 8.3
Point Road School Little Silver 5.0 mi 8.4
TOWER HILL SCHOOL Red Bank 5.0 mi
Markham Place School Little Silver 5.2 mi 8.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07732 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$90,205

Median Home Value

$396,800

Median Rent

$1,841/mo

Population

4,686

College Educated

54.1%

Homeownership

64.2%

Avg Commute

39.5 min

Poverty Rate

7.5%

Median Age

48.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ACADEMY OF OUR LADY AT ST CATHARINE Glen Rock, NJ 5.8
DIVINE MERCY ACADEMY/DIOCESE Rockaway, NJ 5.8
Ethel A. Jacobsen Elementary School Surf City, NJ 5.8
OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL REGIONAL SCHOOL Berlin, NJ 5.8
ST CECILIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pennsauken, NJ 5.8
ST ELIZABETH SCHOOL Wyckoff, NJ 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highlands Elementary School

What grades does Highlands Elementary School serve?

Highlands Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Highlands Elementary School?

Highlands Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 160 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary School is 8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highlands Elementary School rank in NJ?

Highlands Elementary School ranks #1,609 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Highlands Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highlands Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 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 Highlands Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highlands Elementary School has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Highlands Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Highlands Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

38.8% of students at Highlands Elementary School 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
78 Very Walkable
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
160
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Monmouth County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
3.1%

District

Highlands Borough School District
District Enrollment
161
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$45,382
District Rank
#1 of 1

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