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Average

#791 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

5.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Salem

#21 of 57

public schools

Oregon elementary schools

#509 of 689

In district

#20 of 65

Salem-Keizer SD 24J

Academic growth

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Highland Elementary School

Highland Elementary School in Salem, Oregon is a regular public elementary school serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 294 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18.4:1, Highland Elementary provides personalized attention to each child's educational needs. The school has 16 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment.

While the MySchoolScout rating for academic performance is currently at 3.5 out of 10 and the state ranking places it at #1013 out of 1231 schools in Oregon (18th percentile), Highland Elementary focuses on student development and offers various programs to help students achieve their full potential. Highland Elementary School is situated in a mid-size city, offering easy access to community resources and cultural opportunities. The school's setting provides a vibrant backdrop for learning and growth within the Salem community.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Highland Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency23.5%
Math vs. State Avg-18.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.5 pts
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-13.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.3Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,604

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 14.1%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 20.8%
School
State
43.0%

Based on 6 test records from OR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

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: 7.3/10.

How Highland Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
36th percentile in OR
Academic
3.1/10
3.1/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
6.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

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 8.3/10, 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 7.3
Jane Goodall Environmental Middle Charter School Salem 0.5 mi 6.4
Eagle Charter School Salem 0.5 mi 8.3
Grant Community School Salem 0.6 mi 6.6
Parrish Middle School Salem 1.0 mi 5.5
Howard Street Charter Salem 1.1 mi 5.7
North Salem High School Salem 1.1 mi 5.0
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 4.8
ST JOHN LUTHERAN PREKINDERGARTEN AND KINDERGARTEN Salem 1.6 mi
Bush Elementary School Salem 1.9 mi 6.5
Waldo Middle School Salem 1.4 mi 5.5
Claggett Creek Middle School Keizer 1.9 mi 5.4
Washington Elementary School Salem 1.5 mi 4.0
Weddle Elementary School Keizer 2.0 mi 6.5
Cummings Elementary School Keizer 2.2 mi 4.7
Richmond Elementary School Salem 2.2 mi 6.7

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Highland Elementary School has a median household income of $81,057. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $396,700, with a median rent of $1,361/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Butte Creek Elementary School Mt. Angel, OR 5.8
Cesar Chavez Elementary School Eugene, OR 5.8
Chiloquin Elementary School Chiloquin, OR 5.8
Dayton Grade School Dayton, OR 5.8
EASTMONT SCHOOL Bend, OR 5.8
Elmonica Elementary School Beaverton, OR 5.8

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 is ranked #791 out of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is Highland Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Elementary School has 14.1% math proficiency and 20.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (3,397/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Salem). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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