Average
#493 of 864 schools in NM
Highland High
High School · ALBUQUERQUE
4700 COAL AV SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
Enrollment
1,169
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
6.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,169
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
6.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Albuquerque
#121 of 189
public schools
New Mexico high schools
#96 of 193
In district
#106 of 169
ALBUQUERQUE
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Highland High
Highland High serves 1,169 students in grades 9-12 in southeast Albuquerque, operating as a regular public school with 81 full-time teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1. The school currently ranks 613th out of 874 high schools statewide, placing it in the 30th percentile with room for academic growth. Academic performance shows 27% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts, while 12% reach proficiency in mathematics.
With a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10, Highland High is focusing on student development and improvement across core subject areas. The school serves a diverse community where 32% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and families face economic challenges with a median household income of $34,016 and a poverty rate of 34.8%. Despite these socioeconomic factors, the school maintains its commitment to educating nearly 1,200 students in this working-class neighborhood.
Located at 4700 Coal Avenue SE, Highland High sits in the heart of Albuquerque's 87108 ZIP code area, home to over 36,000 residents. The school serves as an important educational anchor in this large city setting, where median home values of $207,000 reflect an affordable but economically challenged community working toward educational advancement.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Highland High — Students at Highland High score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from NM state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.1/10.
How Highland High Compares
See how Highland High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 6% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 19% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
4700 COAL AV SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highland High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. NEW MEXICO ACADEMY FOR THE MEDIA ARTS (rated 8.6/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is FREEDOM HIGH (rated 7.9/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CESAR CHAVEZ COMMUNITY SCHOOL (rated 5.8/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Albuquerque, see our Albuquerque schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HIGHLAND AUTISM CENTER Albuquerque | 0.1 mi | — |
| CORAL COMMUNITY CHARTER Albuquerque | 0.2 mi | 4.5 |
| NEW MEXICO ACADEMY FOR THE MEDIA ARTS Albuquerque | 0.4 mi | 8.6 |
| WHITTIER ELEMENTARY Albuquerque | 0.7 mi | 6.7 |
| ZIA ELEMENTARY Albuquerque | 0.8 mi | 8.3 |
| BANDELIER ELEMENTARY Albuquerque | 0.9 mi | 8.8 |
| CESAR CHAVEZ COMMUNITY SCHOOL Albuquerque | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| VOZ COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL Albuquerque | 1.1 mi | 8.5 |
| WILSON MIDDLE Albuquerque | 1.2 mi | 6.1 |
| MONTE VISTA ELEMENTARY Albuquerque | 1.1 mi | 9.0 |
| HOLY GHOST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Albuquerque | 1.2 mi | 6.6 |
| KIRTLAND ELEMENTARY Albuquerque | 1.4 mi | 4.4 |
| EMERSON ELEMENTARY Albuquerque | 1.3 mi | 4.7 |
| JEFFERSON MIDDLE Albuquerque | 1.5 mi | 8.7 |
| VAN BUREN MIDDLE Albuquerque | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
| MARK TWAIN ELEMENTARY Albuquerque | 1.7 mi | 7.8 |
| LA MESA ELEMENTARY Albuquerque | 1.7 mi | 3.6 |
| ECADEMY Albuquerque | 2.1 mi | 4.8 |
| ECADEMY K-8 Albuquerque | 2.1 mi | 7.4 |
| FREEDOM HIGH Albuquerque | 2.1 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 87108 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$39,578
Median Home Value
$227,600
Median Rent
$828/mo
Population
35,985
College Educated
33.3%
Homeownership
37.8%
Avg Commute
21.6 min
Poverty Rate
29.5%
Median Age
39.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highland High has a median household income of $39,578. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $227,600, with a median rent of $828/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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 |
|---|---|
| TAOS HIGH Taos, NM | 6.0 |
| PORTALES HIGH Portales, NM | 5.9 |
| CHAPARRAL HIGH Anthony, NM | 5.8 |
| MAYFIELD HIGH Las Cruces, NM | 6.2 |
| VALENCIA HIGH Los Lunas, NM | 6.2 |
| CAPITAL HIGH Santa Fe, NM | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highland High
What grades does Highland High serve?
Highland High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Highland High?
Highland High has an enrollment of approximately 1,169 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland High?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland High is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highland High rank in NM?
Highland High is ranked #493 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Highland High's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland High has a composite rating of 6.0 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 High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland High has 16.0% math proficiency and 38.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highland High a charter school?
No, Highland High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highland High a Title I school?
No, Highland High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland High?
100.4% of students at Highland High 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
- Walk Score
- 77 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 43 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 90 Biker’s Paradise
- City Safety
- High (5,820/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Albuquerque). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,169
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 81
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Bernalillo County
- Phone
- (505) 265-3711
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ALBUQUERQUE- District Enrollment
- 76,756
- Schools in District
- 174
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,108
- District Rank
- #106 of 169
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 methodologyGet 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.