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#2946 of 4,739 schools in NY

Highland High School

High School · HIGHLAND CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

320 PANCAKE HOLLOW RD, Highland, NY 12528

Enrollment

525

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

5.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Highland

#3 of 3

public schools

New York high schools

#795 of 1,160

In district

#3 of 3

HIGHLAND CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic performance

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Highland High School

Highland High School serves 525 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of Highland, New York. With a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1 supported by 36 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides a more personalized learning environment than many larger districts. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an impressive 8.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #438 out of 4,758 New York high schools, placing it in the 91st percentile statewide.

Students consistently excel on state assessments, with 92% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 90% reaching proficiency in mathematics. This academic excellence reflects both quality instruction and strong student preparation. Highland High School draws from a stable, educated community where 41% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The area's median household income of $84,754 and median home value of $306,200 indicate a middle-to-upper-middle-class community with relatively low poverty rates at 6.0%. These socioeconomic factors contribute to a supportive environment for student learning. Located on Pancake Hollow Road, the school sits in Ulster County's scenic Hudson Valley region, offering students the benefits of rural tranquility while maintaining access to the educational and cultural resources of nearby towns and the greater New York metropolitan area.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Highland High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.3Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics9.3Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency87%
Reading/ELA Proficiency92%
Overall Proficiency90%
Expected (poverty-adj.)63%
vs. Expected+26.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
College Readiness3.8Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,324

Highland High School — Students at Highland High School score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 89.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 92.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2021*
Math
87%
ELA
92%

* 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: 6.3/10.

How Highland High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
38th percentile in NY
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
6.3/10
Above average
Environment
4.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
38%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

Location

320 PANCAKE HOLLOW RD, Highland, NY 12528

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. NEW PALTZ SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.9/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby New Paltz), which scores notably higher. Additionally, POUGHKEEPSIE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.0/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Poughkeepsie), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Highland, see our Highland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.5 mi
School Distance Rating
HIGHLAND RESIDENTIAL CENTER Highland 2.9 mi
HIGHLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL Highland 2.5 mi 6.7
HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Highland 2.6 mi 7.8
NEW PALTZ SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL New Paltz 3.3 mi 8.9
NEW PALTZ MIDDLE SCHOOL New Paltz 3.7 mi 7.3
DUZINE SCHOOL New Paltz 4.0 mi 8.0
LITTLE WATER PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL Poughkeepsie 4.1 mi 3.3
MOUNTAIN LAUREL WALDORF SCHOOL New Paltz 4.1 mi 6.6
ULSTER BOCES New Paltz 4.4 mi 7.1
LENAPE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL New Paltz 4.3 mi 8.2
MONTESSORI OF NEW PALTZ New Paltz 4.6 mi
MORSE YOUNG MAGNET SCHOOL Poughkeepsie 4.7 mi 3.3
GOV GEORGE CLINTON SCHOOL Poughkeepsie 4.7 mi 5.3
TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Poughkeepsie 4.8 mi 7.7
MILLENNIAL KINGDOM FAMILY SCHOOL Hyde Park 5.3 mi
WARRING MAGNET ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Poughkeepsie 5.2 mi 3.2
VIOLET AVENUE SCHOOL Poughkeepsie 5.2 mi 6.4
SMITH EARLY LEARNING CENTER Poughkeepsie 5.4 mi 4.0
POUGHKEEPSIE HIGH SCHOOL Poughkeepsie 5.5 mi 5.0
HOLY TRINITY ANNEX @ ST PETER SCHOOL Poughkeepsie 5.5 mi 8.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 12528 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,096

Median Home Value

$337,400

Median Rent

$1,642/mo

Population

13,818

College Educated

41.6%

Homeownership

70.1%

Avg Commute

31.5 min

Poverty Rate

5.3%

Median Age

42.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Highland High School has a median household income of $89,096. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $337,400, with a median rent of $1,642/month. The local poverty rate of 5.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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
AKRON HIGH SCHOOL Akron, NY 5.9
ALLEGANY-LIMESTONE MIDDLE-HIGH SCHOOL Allegany, NY 5.9
BEEKMANTOWN HIGH SCHOOL West Chazy, NY 5.9
CALEDONIA-MUMFORD MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL Caledonia, NY 5.9
DOVER HIGH SCHOOL Dover Plains, NY 5.9
EAGLE ACADEMY FOR YOUNG MEN II Brooklyn, NY 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland High School

What grades does Highland High School serve?

Highland High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Highland High School?

Highland High School has an enrollment of approximately 525 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Highland High School is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highland High School rank in NY?

Highland High School is ranked #2946 out of 4,739 schools in NY.

What is Highland High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland High School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland High School has 89.5% math proficiency and 92.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Highland High School a charter school?

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

Is Highland High School a Title I school?

No, Highland High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland High School?

38.1% of students at Highland High 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

County Safety
Low (72/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
525
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Ulster County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

HIGHLAND CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
1,546
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$30,676
District Rank
#3 of 3

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 methodology

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