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Very Good

#873 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 31% in state

Highland EL Sch

Elementary School · Ephrata Area SD

99 Highland Ave, Ephrata, PA 17522

Enrollment

466

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

7.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#873 of 2,846

In Ephrata

#2 of 6

public schools

In district

#2 of 7

Ephrata Area SD

Equity

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Highland EL Sch

7.3/10

Elementary School in Ephrata · grades Kindergarten – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Our Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic School

7.2/10

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

Olive Branch Christian Academy

Nearby

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

About Highland EL Sch

Highland EL Sch is a public elementary school in Ephrata, PA, part of Ephrata Area SD. Highland EL Sch serves approximately 466 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-4th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #873 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Highland EL Sch show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.3 pts above district
  • This school 7.3 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.0
  • PA avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.03 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.0Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67.3% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.2% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+15.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.4 pts
Overall Proficiency69% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)53% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+16.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
Resources & Environment6.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,732
Chronic Absenteeism9.4%

Highland EL Sch — Students at Highland EL Sch score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 63.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
47.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 69.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.5% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 34 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
72%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
72%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
49.8%
ELA
51.4%
2024
Math
67.8%
ELA
72%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How Highland EL Sch Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
69th percentile in PA
Academic
9.0/10
Excellent
Growth
6.5/10
Average
Environment
6.6/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.4%

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

99 Highland Ave, Ephrata, PA 17522

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Denver El Sch (rated 8.4/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Denver), which scores notably higher. Another option is Reamstown El Sch (rated 7.9/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Reamstown), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Fulton El Sch (rated 7.3/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar 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 7.3
Ephrata SHS Ephrata 0.7 mi 8.1
Ephrata MS Ephrata 0.9 mi 5.3
Ephrata Intermediate Sch Ephrata 0.9 mi 7.3
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 6.8
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 7.5
Lancaster County CTC - Brownstown Campus Ephrata 3.4 mi
GRACE POINT ACADEMY Ephrata 3.0 mi
Cocalico MS Denver 3.6 mi 6.8
Denver El Sch Denver 3.6 mi 8.4
FARMERSVILLE MENNONITE SCHOOL Ephrata 3.9 mi 6.0
Reamstown El Sch Reamstown 3.3 mi 7.9

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Blue Ridge El Sch New Milford, PA 7.3
Cambria El Sch Ebensburg, PA 7.3
Center Township El Sch Butler, PA 7.3
Conestoga El Sch Conestoga, PA 7.3
Conewago Twp El Sch Hanover, PA 7.3
Connoquenessing El Sch Renfrew, PA 7.3

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 ranks #873 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Highland EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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 EL Sch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland EL Sch has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
77 Very Walkable
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.4%

District

Ephrata Area SD
District Enrollment
3,985
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,732
District Rank
#2 of 7

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