Below Average
#2459 of 2,842 schools in PA
Highlands EL Sch
Elementary School · Highlands SD
101 East 9th Ave, Tarentum, PA 15084
Enrollment
585
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
4.6
Grades
1st – 4th
Enrollment
585
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
4.6
Grades
1st – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tarentum
#2 of 2
public schools
Pennsylvania elementary schools
#1,422 of 1,625
In district
#4 of 4
Highlands SD
Equity
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Highlands EL Sch
Highlands Elementary School is a regular public school located in Tarentum, Pennsylvania, in the Allegheny County suburbs. Situated at 101 East 9th Avenue, this elementary school serves students from first through fourth grade with an enrollment of 585 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1. The school has 45 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education in a large suburban setting.
Highlands Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating is 4.6 out of 10, placing it at the 34th percentile among Pennsylvania schools with a state ranking of #1896 out of 2852 schools. Academically, 53% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 36% are proficient or above in Math, indicating areas where the school can focus on further development and support for its students. Highlands Elementary School is situated in a bustling suburban community that offers a variety of resources and activities for families.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Highlands EL Sch — Students at Highlands EL Sch score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.7/10.
How Highlands EL Sch Compares
See how Highlands EL Sch performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 31% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 50% (2021).
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. Acmetonia El Sch (rated 7.8/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Cheswick), which scores notably higher. Another option is Berkey Sch (rated 6.6/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Arnold), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bon Air El Sch (rated 6.4/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Lower Burrell), 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 | 6.1 |
| MARY QUEEN OF APOSTLES SCHOOL New Kensington | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Roy A. Hunt El Sch Arnold | 1.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Berkey Sch Arnold | 1.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Highlands MS Natrona Heights | 1.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Highlands SHS Natrona Heights | 1.9 mi | 5.6 |
| ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Natrona Heights | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Stewart El Sch Lower Burrell | 1.9 mi | 3.2 |
| Northern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center New Kensington | 2.4 mi | — |
| Valley JSHS New Kensington | 2.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Martin Sch New Kensington | 2.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Bon Air El Sch Lower Burrell | 3.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Charles A Huston MS Lower Burrell | 3.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Springdale JSHS Springdale | 4.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Burrell HS Lower Burrell | 3.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Acmetonia El Sch Cheswick | 5.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Deer Lakes HS Cheswick | 5.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Plum SHS Plum | 6.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Curtisville Pri Ctr Tarentum | 5.6 mi | 6.4 |
| East Union Intrmd Sch Cheswick | 5.4 mi | 5.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highlands EL Sch has a median household income of $61,660. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $111,500, with a median rent of $741/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.8%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Aliquippa El Sch Aliquippa, PA | 4.6 |
| Antonia Pantoja Community CS Philadelphia, PA | 4.6 |
| Cheltenham El Sch Cheltenham, PA | 4.6 |
| Glenolden Sch Glenolden, PA | 4.6 |
| Hazle Township Early Learning Center Hazle Township, PA | 4.6 |
| Jackson Sch York, PA | 4.6 |
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 is ranked #2459 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Highlands EL Sch's MySchoolScout rating?
Highlands EL Sch has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Highlands EL Sch?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highlands EL Sch has 36.0% math proficiency and 53.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,287/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tarentum). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (724) 224-0300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Highlands SD- District Enrollment
- 2,137
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,691
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
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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