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Below Average

#2395 of 2,846 schools in PA

Highlands EL Sch

Elementary School · Highlands SD

101 East 9th Ave, Tarentum, PA 15084

Enrollment

585

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

4.3

Grades

1st – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#2,395 of 2,846

In Tarentum

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

Highlands SD

Equity

7.7 / 10

Very Good

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Highlands EL Sch

4.3/10

Elementary School in Tarentum · grades 1st – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Highlands Early Childhood Center

4.8/10

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

Mary Queen of Apostles School

7.3/10

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

About Highlands EL Sch

Highlands EL Sch is a public elementary school in Tarentum, PA, part of Highlands SD. Highlands EL Sch serves approximately 585 students, and covers grades 1st-4th, and has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. Highlands EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,395 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Highlands EL Sch show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.3 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.5
  • PA avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.7 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.9Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41.8% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency44% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+11.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,691
Chronic Absenteeism28.9%

Highlands EL Sch — Students at Highlands EL Sch score 44% proficient, which is above 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%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 53.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 59.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
89%
ELA
86%
2010
Math
93%
ELA
86%
2011
Math
79%
ELA
71%
2012
Math
79%
ELA
66%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
64%
2014
Math
38%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
38%
ELA
48%
2016
Math
38%
ELA
50%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
41%
ELA
56%
2019
Math
41%
ELA
56%
2020*
Math
31%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
31%
ELA
50%
2022
Math
41.8%
ELA
47%

* 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: 2.2/10.

How Highlands EL Sch Compares

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

Overall Score
4.3/10
16th percentile in PA
Academic
6.9/10
Average
Growth
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.5/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
45 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
28.9%

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

101 East 9th Ave, Tarentum, PA 15084

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highlands EL Sch may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Roy A. Hunt El Sch (rated 6.8/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Arnold), which scores notably higher. Another option is Curtisville Pri Ctr (rated 6.7/10, 5.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Berkey Sch (rated 6.5/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Arnold), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tarentum, see our Tarentum schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Highlands Early Childhood Center Brackenridge 1.0 mi 4.8
MARY QUEEN OF APOSTLES SCHOOL New Kensington 1.3 mi 7.3
Roy A. Hunt El Sch Arnold 1.8 mi 6.8
Berkey Sch Arnold 1.8 mi 6.5
Highlands MS Natrona Heights 1.6 mi 5.0
Highlands SHS Natrona Heights 1.9 mi 6.2
ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Natrona Heights 1.9 mi 7.3
Stewart El Sch Lower Burrell 1.9 mi 5.0
Northern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center New Kensington 2.4 mi
Valley JSHS New Kensington 2.5 mi 4.1
Martin Sch New Kensington 2.9 mi 2.3
Bon Air El Sch Lower Burrell 3.0 mi 6.1
Charles A Huston MS Lower Burrell 3.3 mi 3.7
Springdale JSHS Springdale 4.1 mi 5.6
Burrell HS Lower Burrell 3.4 mi 6.0
Acmetonia El Sch Cheswick 5.1 mi 6.2
Deer Lakes HS Cheswick 5.1 mi 7.5
Plum SHS Plum 6.7 mi 7.6
Curtisville Pri Ctr Tarentum 5.6 mi 6.7
East Union Intrmd Sch Cheswick 5.4 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 15084 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,660

Median Home Value

$111,500

Median Rent

$741/mo

Population

9,884

College Educated

25.4%

Homeownership

76.2%

Avg Commute

26.7 min

Poverty Rate

13.8%

Median Age

44.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Baresville El Sch Hanover, PA 4.3
Bywood El Sch Upper Darby, PA 4.3
Daniel J Flood El Sch Wilkes-Barre, PA 4.3
Davis Sch York, PA 4.3
Foose Sch Harrisburg, PA 4.3
Highland Park El Sch Upper Darby, PA 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highlands EL Sch

What grades does Highlands EL Sch serve?

Highlands EL Sch serves students in grades 1st through 4th.

How many students attend Highlands EL Sch?

Highlands EL Sch has an enrollment of approximately 585 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Highlands EL Sch is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highlands EL Sch rank in PA?

Highlands EL Sch ranks #2,395 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Highlands EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?

Highlands EL Sch has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 Highlands EL Sch?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highlands EL Sch has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Highlands EL Sch a charter school?

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

Is Highlands EL Sch a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at Highlands 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
68 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
1st – 4th
Enrollment
585
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
Teachers (FTE)
45
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Allegheny County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
28.9%

District

Highlands SD
District Enrollment
2,137
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,691
District Rank
#4 of 4

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