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Needs Improvement

#1147 of 1,226 schools in OR

Highland Elementary School

Elementary School · Salem-Keizer SD 24J

530 Highland Ave NE, Salem, OR 97303

Enrollment

294

Student-Teacher

18.4:1

Score

3.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Oregon schools

#1,147 of 1,226

In Salem

#40 of 57

public schools

In district

#44 of 65

Salem-Keizer SD 24J

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Highland Elementary School

3.7/10

Elementary School in Salem · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St Vincent De Paul School

4.7/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Oregon School for the Deaf

5.0/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Highland Elementary School

Highland Elementary School is a public elementary school in Salem, OR, part of Salem-Keizer SD 24J. Highland Elementary School serves approximately 294 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 18.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,147 of 1,226 schools in OR.

Structured state assessment records for Highland Elementary School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.4
  • OR avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

72% of students at Highland Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.31 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.9% (2025 OSAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency23.5% (2025 OSAS)
Math vs. State Avg-18.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.5 pts
Overall Proficiency18% (2025 OSAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2025 OSAS)
vs. Expected-13.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
Resources & Environment3.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,770
Chronic Absenteeism71.8%

Highland Elementary School — Students at Highland Elementary School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 32.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
31.8% (2025 OSAS)
ELA Proficiency 37.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
43.0% (2025 OSAS)

Based on 26 test records from OR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2013
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
19%
ELA
32%
2016
Math
21%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2025
Math
12.9%
ELA
23.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.2/10.

How Highland Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.7/10
7th percentile in OR
Academic
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.2/10
Below Average
Environment
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
71.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

530 Highland Ave NE, Salem, OR 97303

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Eagle Charter School (rated 8.8/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JOSEPH SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LITTLE FRIENDS MONTESSORI (rated 7.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Salem, see our Salem schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SCHOOL Salem 0.4 mi 4.7
Oregon School for the Deaf Salem 0.5 mi 5.0
Jane Goodall Environmental Middle Charter School Salem 0.5 mi 7.7
Eagle Charter School Salem 0.5 mi 8.8
Grant Community School Salem 0.6 mi 6.3
Parrish Middle School Salem 1.0 mi 4.1
Howard Street Charter Salem 1.1 mi 7.4
North Salem High School Salem 1.1 mi 4.0
CAPITAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Salem 1.1 mi 4.5
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Salem 1.3 mi 7.8
LITTLE FRIENDS MONTESSORI Salem 1.4 mi 7.5
Englewood Elementary School Salem 1.3 mi 5.8
ST JOHN LUTHERAN PREKINDERGARTEN AND KINDERGARTEN Salem 1.6 mi
Bush Elementary School Salem 1.9 mi 3.5
Waldo Middle School Salem 1.4 mi 4.4
Claggett Creek Middle School Keizer 1.9 mi 3.6
Washington Elementary School Salem 1.5 mi 3.5
Weddle Elementary School Keizer 2.0 mi 2.5
Cummings Elementary School Keizer 2.2 mi 2.7
Richmond Elementary School Salem 2.2 mi 2.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97303 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,057

Median Home Value

$396,700

Median Rent

$1,361/mo

Population

40,893

College Educated

27%

Homeownership

62.5%

Avg Commute

25 min

Poverty Rate

8.7%

Median Age

36.8

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bilquist Elementary School Milwaukie, OR 3.7
Humbolt Elementary School Canyon City, OR 3.7
Joseph Gale Elementary School Forest Grove, OR 3.7
Lafayette Elementary School Albany, OR 3.7
Bohemia Elementary School Cottage Grove, OR 3.8
Brockway Elementary School Winston, OR 3.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland Elementary School

What grades does Highland Elementary School serve?

Highland Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Highland Elementary School?

Highland Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 294 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary School is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highland Elementary School rank in OR?

Highland Elementary School ranks #1,147 of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is Highland Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Highland Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Elementary School has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Highland Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Highland Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

68.7% of students at Highland Elementary 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

Walk Score
74 Very Walkable
Transit Score
41 Some Transit
Bike Score
94 Biker’s Paradise

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
294
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Marion County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
71.8%

District

Salem-Keizer SD 24J
District Enrollment
38,818
Schools in District
65
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,770
District Rank
#44 of 65

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