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Needs Improvement

#2825 of 2,842 schools in PA

Highland EL Sch

Elementary School · Ambridge Area SD

1101 Highland Avenue, Ambridge, PA 15003

Enrollment

303

Student-Teacher

12.6:1

Score

2.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ambridge

#2 of 2

public schools

Pennsylvania elementary schools

#1,615 of 1,625

In district

#5 of 5

Ambridge Area SD

About Highland EL Sch

Highland El Sch is an elementary school located in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, in Beaver County. Situated at 1101 Highland Avenue, the school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With a total enrollment of 303 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.6:1, Highland El Sch offers a supportive learning environment with 24 full-time equivalent teachers.

The academic performance at Highland El Sch reflects areas where the school can improve. According to MySchoolScout's rating system, it ranks in the third percentile among Pennsylvania schools, scoring a 2.5 out of 10 overall and a 1.8 for its academic score. In reading and ELA, 34% of students are proficient or above, while only 12% meet proficiency standards in math.

Despite these challenges, Highland El Sch remains committed to the growth and development of each student. The school is situated in a large suburban area, offering a community-focused setting where families can engage with one another through various school activities and events.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.9Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-6.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics3.0Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-15.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,347

Highland EL Sch — Students at Highland EL Sch score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 12.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 34.5%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
27%

* 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: 1.9/10.

How Highland EL Sch Compares

See how Highland EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.9/10
1th percentile in PA
Academic
3.0/10
3.0/10
Growth
1.9/10
Below average
Environment
5.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
101%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

Location

1101 Highland Avenue, Ambridge, PA 15003

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Edgeworth El Sch (rated 9.2/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Sewickley), which scores notably higher. Another option is J.A. Allard El Sch (rated 8.7/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Moon Township), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Margaret Ross El Sch (rated 8.6/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Aliquippa), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ambridge, see our Ambridge schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Ambridge Area HS Ambridge 0.6 mi 4.4
WATSON INSTITUTE Sewickley 1.4 mi 6.9
Quaker Valley HS Leetsdale 2.3 mi 7.6
State Street El Sch Baden 2.6 mi 3.0
Hopewell SHS Aliquippa 2.0 mi 7.4
THE HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Aliquippa 2.4 mi
OUR LADY OF FATIMA SCHOOL Aliquippa 2.3 mi 6.2
Margaret Ross El Sch Aliquippa 2.4 mi 8.6
Hopewell JHS Aliquippa 2.5 mi 4.6
Aliquippa JSHS Aliquippa 2.6 mi 5.7
Edgeworth El Sch Sewickley 3.3 mi 9.2
Bon Meade El Sch Moon Township 3.5 mi 4.2
SEWICKLEY ACADEMY Sewickley 3.6 mi 5.0
MONTESSORI SCHOOL FOR CREATIVE LEARNING Moon Township 3.5 mi
Baden Academy CS Baden 4.0 mi 3.8
NOAH'S ARK PRESCHOOL/KINDERGARTEN Sewickley 4.1 mi
J.A. Allard El Sch Moon Township 4.3 mi 8.7
ST JAMES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sewickley 4.1 mi 7.6
Aliquippa El Sch Aliquippa 3.5 mi 4.6
Quaker Valley MS Sewickley 4.3 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 15003 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,943

Median Home Value

$119,000

Median Rent

$886/mo

Population

11,394

College Educated

24%

Homeownership

62.4%

Avg Commute

24.5 min

Poverty Rate

11.5%

Median Age

44.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Highland EL Sch has a median household income of $57,943. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $119,000, with a median rent of $886/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.5%. 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
Chester Street El Sch Kingston, PA 3.0
Earl El Sch Boyertown, PA 3.0
State Street El Sch Baden, PA 3.0
Easton Arts Academy Elementary CS Easton, PA 3.1
Pittsburgh Grandview K-5 Pittsburgh, PA 3.1
Hopewell El Sch Aliquippa, PA 3.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland EL Sch

What grades does Highland EL Sch serve?

Highland EL Sch serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Highland EL Sch?

Highland EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 303 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland EL Sch?

The student-teacher ratio at Highland EL Sch is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highland EL Sch rank in PA?

Highland EL Sch is ranked #2825 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Highland EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland EL Sch has a composite rating of 2.9 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 EL Sch?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland EL Sch has 12.3% math proficiency and 34.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Highland EL Sch a charter school?

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

Is Highland EL Sch a Title I school?

No, Highland EL Sch is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland EL Sch?

100.7% of students at Highland EL Sch 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 (2,686/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
303
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Beaver County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Ambridge Area SD
District Enrollment
2,198
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,071
District Rank
#5 of 5

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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