Very Good
#274 of 864 schools in NM
Top 32% in state
Highland Elementary
Elementary School · LAS CRUCES
4201 EMERALD ST, Las Cruces, NM 88012
Enrollment
724
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
724
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Las Cruces
#16 of 45
public schools
New Mexico elementary schools
#163 of 468
In district
#12 of 39
LAS CRUCES
Academic performance
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Highland Elementary
HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY is a public elementary school located in the heart of Las Cruces, New Mexico. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and currently has an enrollment of 724 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 15.7:1, Highland Elementary provides a supportive learning environment with 46 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to the education of their young learners.
Academically, Highland Elementary holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and is ranked 255th among all schools in New Mexico, placing it around the 71st percentile statewide. The school's academic score stands at 7.9/10, indicating areas for improvement but also highlighting strengths across various programs. In terms of proficiency rates, 38% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 35% meet or exceed standards in Math.
Highland Elementary is situated in a mid-size city setting within the Doña Ana County area. The school community fosters growth and development for its students with room for academic improvement across different subjects. With its strong teacher presence and supportive educational environment, Highland Elementary aims to provide its diverse student body with the tools they need to succeed both academically and personally.
Highland Elementary is nestled in a vibrant mid-size city where it plays an integral role in the community's education landscape.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Highland Elementary — Students at Highland Elementary score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 4 test records from NM state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.2/10.
How Highland Elementary Compares
See how Highland Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 36% (2019) to 34% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 34% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
4201 EMERALD ST, Las Cruces, NM 88012
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highland Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SONOMA ELEMENTARY (rated 8.5/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LOMA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY (rated 7.6/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, DONA ANA ELEMENTARY (rated 7.5/10, 3.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Las Cruces, see our Las Cruces schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SONOMA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 0.5 mi | 8.5 |
| CAMINO REAL MIDDLE Las Cruces | 1.2 mi | 6.6 |
| ORGAN MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL Las Cruces | 1.9 mi | 4.9 |
| MISSION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Las Cruces | 2.3 mi | — |
| MONTE VISTA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 2.4 mi | 6.4 |
| MESA MIDDLE Las Cruces | 2.8 mi | 6.6 |
| JORNADA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 2.6 mi | 7.0 |
| EXPLORE ACADEMY LAS CRUCES Las Cruces | 2.9 mi | 8.2 |
| DESERT HILLS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 3.0 mi | 5.9 |
| LOMA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 3.1 mi | 7.6 |
| COLUMBIA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 2.9 mi | 5.9 |
| VISTA MIDDLE Las Cruces | 2.9 mi | 5.3 |
| SIERRA MIDDLE Las Cruces | 3.4 mi | 6.7 |
| BOOKER T. WASHINGTON Las Cruces | 3.8 mi | 5.2 |
| HERMOSA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 4.2 mi | 5.8 |
| DESERT SPRINGS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Las Curces | 4.3 mi | 7.3 |
| MESILLA VALLEY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Las Cruces | 4.4 mi | 8.2 |
| LYNN MIDDLE Las Cruces | 4.5 mi | 6.3 |
| ALAMEDA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 4.2 mi | 5.1 |
| DONA ANA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 3.9 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 88012 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,988
Median Home Value
$222,300
Median Rent
$1,210/mo
Population
32,888
College Educated
34.7%
Homeownership
76.1%
Avg Commute
22.4 min
Poverty Rate
11.5%
Median Age
31.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highland Elementary has a median household income of $66,988. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $222,300, with a median rent of $1,210/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.5%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| NINA OTERO COMMUNITY SCHOOL Santa Fe, NM | 7.1 |
| JORNADA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces, NM | 7.0 |
| PINON ELEMENTARY Santa Fe, NM | 7.0 |
| SHIWI TS'ANA ELEMENTARY Zuni, NM | 7.0 |
| S. Y. JACKSON ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM | 7.2 |
| HOLLOMAN ELEMENTARY Holloman Afb, NM | 7.3 |
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 724 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary is 15.7:1. 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 NM?
Highland Elementary is ranked #274 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Highland Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Elementary has a composite rating of 7.1 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 35.0% math proficiency and 38.0% 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?
99.9% 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (5,602/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Las Cruces). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 724
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 46
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Doña Ana County
- Phone
- (575) 527-9636
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
LAS CRUCES- District Enrollment
- 23,404
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,965
- District Rank
- #12 of 39
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.
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