Below Average
#4346 of 4,739 schools in NY
Highgate Heights
Elementary School · BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
600 HIGHGATE AVE, Buffalo, NY 14215
Enrollment
384
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
384
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Buffalo
#52 of 84
public schools
New York elementary schools
#2,281 of 2,549
In district
#40 of 59
BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
About Highgate Heights
Highgate Heights is a regular public elementary school located in Buffalo, New York. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, Highgate Heights has an enrollment of 384 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1 with 32 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting places it squarely within the heart of a bustling city environment.
While Highgate Heights currently ranks in the lower percentile of New York state schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.7 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.2 out of 10, the community remains committed to student development. Test performance shows that 25% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while only 6% are at this level for math—indicating areas where further support is needed. Highgate Heights stands as a pillar in its city neighborhood, fostering an environment focused on growth and improvement.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Highgate Heights — Students at Highgate Heights score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
93%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 8 test records from NY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.7/10.
How Highgate Heights Compares
See how Highgate Heights performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 20% (2019) to 5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 24.5% (2021).
Location
600 HIGHGATE AVE, Buffalo, NY 14215
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highgate Heights may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST JOSEPH UNIVERSITY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST BENEDICT SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Amherst), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WINDERMERE BLVD SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Amherst), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Buffalo, see our Buffalo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WESTMINSTER COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo | 0.7 mi | 2.9 |
| NATIVITYMIGUEL MIDDLE SCHOOL, ST MONICA CAMPUS Buffalo | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| CHARTER SCHOOL OF INQUIRY Buffalo | 1.0 mi | 2.6 |
| ST BENEDICT SCHOOL Amherst | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| AMHERST MIDDLE SCHOOL Amherst | 0.9 mi | 4.5 |
| FREDERICK OLMSTED #156 Buffalo | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| ST JOSEPH UNIVERSITY SCHOOL Buffalo | 0.9 mi | 8.3 |
| WINDERMERE BLVD SCHOOL Amherst | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| PS 82 Buffalo | 1.4 mi | 3.1 |
| AMHERST CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Amherst | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| BUFFALO UNITED CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.2 mi | 4.3 |
| CLEVELAND HILL HIGH SCHOOL Cheektowaga | 1.3 mi | 6.1 |
| CLEVELAND HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cheektowaga | 1.3 mi | 3.6 |
| CLEVELAND HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL Cheektowaga | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| MIDDLE EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Buffalo | 1.4 mi | 7.5 |
| LEWIS J BENNETT HIGH SCHOOL OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLGY Buffalo | 1.4 mi | 6.0 |
| PS 61 ARTHUR O EVE SCHOOL OF DISTINCTION Buffalo | 1.6 mi | 4.1 |
| KING CENTER CHARTER SCHOOL Buffalo | 2.1 mi | 3.2 |
| CHRIST THE KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Amherst | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| UNIVERSAL SCHOOL Buffalo | 2.4 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 14215 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$43,326
Median Home Value
$102,800
Median Rent
$993/mo
Population
42,813
College Educated
19%
Homeownership
47.7%
Avg Commute
20.2 min
Poverty Rate
30%
Median Age
31.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highgate Heights has a median household income of $43,326. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $102,800, with a median rent of $993/month. The area has a poverty rate of 30.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP CHARTER SCHOOL Bronx, NY | 4.2 |
| BROOKSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAMPUS Rochester, NY | 4.2 |
| DAVID PATERSON SCHOOL Hempstead, NY | 4.2 |
| EXPLORE EMPOWER CHARTER SCHOOL Brooklyn, NY | 4.2 |
| GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Malverne, NY | 4.2 |
| GREEN MEADOW SCHOOL Castleton, NY | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highgate Heights
What grades does Highgate Heights serve?
Highgate Heights serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Highgate Heights?
Highgate Heights has an enrollment of approximately 384 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highgate Heights?
The student-teacher ratio at Highgate Heights is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highgate Heights rank in NY?
Highgate Heights is ranked #4346 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is Highgate Heights's MySchoolScout rating?
Highgate Heights has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Highgate Heights?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highgate Heights has 6.3% math proficiency and 24.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highgate Heights a charter school?
No, Highgate Heights is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highgate Heights a Title I school?
No, Highgate Heights is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highgate Heights?
93.0% of students at Highgate Heights 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 (4,549/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Buffalo). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 384
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 93.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Erie County
- Phone
- (716) 816-4050
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 29,866
- Schools in District
- 61
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $30,022
- District Rank
- #40 of 59
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 methodologyRelated reading
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