Excellent
#210 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 7% in state
Highland EL Sch
Elementary School · Ephrata Area SD
99 Highland Ave, Ephrata, PA 17522
Enrollment
466
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
466
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ephrata
#1 of 6
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#172 of 1,625
In district
#1 of 7
Ephrata Area SD
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Highland EL Sch
Highland EL Sch is a public elementary school in Ephrata, PA, part of the Ephrata Area SD. The school serves approximately 466 students in grades Kindergarten – 4th with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 92.6th percentile among PA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 61% proficiency in math, 14 points above the state average and 70% in reading/language arts, 17 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.8/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $71,865, where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Highland EL Sch — Students at Highland EL Sch score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
51.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.8/10.
How Highland EL Sch Compares
See how Highland EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 67.3% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 72% (2019) to 71.2% (2024).
Location
99 Highland Ave, Ephrata, PA 17522
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highland EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fulton El Sch (rated 8.3/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Denver El Sch (rated 8.3/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Denver), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Reamstown El Sch (rated 7.8/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Reamstown), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Ephrata, see our Ephrata schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ephrata | 0.3 mi | 7.2 |
| OLIVE BRANCH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Ephrata | 0.3 mi | — |
| Fulton El Sch Ephrata | 0.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Ephrata SHS Ephrata | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Ephrata MS Ephrata | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Ephrata Intermediate Sch Ephrata | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| SPRINGVILLE MENNONITE SCHOOL Ephrata | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| PLEASANT VALLEY MENNONITE SCHOOL Ephrata | 1.9 mi | 6.5 |
| PLEASANT VALLEY PAROCH SCHOOL Ephrata | 2.1 mi | — |
| Akron El Sch Akron | 2.3 mi | 6.7 |
| CONESTOGA VIEW SCHOOL Ephrata | 2.7 mi | — |
| DIAMOND ROAD PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Ephrata | 3.1 mi | — |
| WOOD CREST PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Ephrata | 2.6 mi | 3.4 |
| Cocalico SHS Denver | 3.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Lancaster County CTC - Brownstown Campus Ephrata | 3.4 mi | — |
| GRACE POINT ACADEMY Ephrata | 3.0 mi | — |
| Cocalico MS Denver | 3.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Denver El Sch Denver | 3.6 mi | 8.3 |
| FARMERSVILLE MENNONITE SCHOOL Ephrata | 3.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Reamstown El Sch Reamstown | 3.3 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 17522 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,865
Median Home Value
$263,600
Median Rent
$1,171/mo
Population
33,601
College Educated
23.5%
Homeownership
66.2%
Avg Commute
24.8 min
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Median Age
38.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highland EL Sch has a median household income of $71,865. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $263,600, with a median rent of $1,171/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% 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 |
|---|---|
| Adaire Alexander Sch Philadelphia, PA | 8.5 |
| Baker El Sch Pittsburgh, PA | 8.5 |
| Brockway Area Elementary Sch Brockway, PA | 8.5 |
| Case Avenue El Sch Sharon, PA | 8.5 |
| Center Township El Sch Butler, PA | 8.5 |
| Clarion-Limestone El Sch Strattanville, PA | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highland EL Sch
What grades does Highland EL Sch serve?
Highland EL Sch serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.
How many students attend Highland EL Sch?
Highland EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 466 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland EL Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland EL Sch is 15:1. 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 #210 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Highland EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland EL Sch has a composite rating of 8.5 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 60.5% math proficiency and 70.0% 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?
51.5% 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ephrata). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 4th
- Enrollment
- 466
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 51.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lancaster County
- Phone
- (717) 721-1160
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ephrata Area SD- District Enrollment
- 3,985
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,732
- District Rank
- #1 of 7
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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