Average
#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
Enrollment
525
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Highland High School — Students at Highland High School score 90% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 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: 6.3/10.
How Highland High School Compares
See how Highland High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 92% (2019) to 87% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 92% (2019) to 92% (2021).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
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
- Phone
- (845) 691-1020
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
HIGHLAND CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 1,546
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $30,676
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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