Average
#1116 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 39% in state
Highlands MS
Middle School · Highlands SD
1350 Broadview Boulevard, Natrona Heights, PA 15065
Enrollment
596
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
6.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
596
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
6.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Natrona Heights
#1 of 2
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#186 of 514
In district
#1 of 4
Highlands SD
School environment
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Highlands MS
Highlands Middle School is a public middle school serving students in grades 5 through 8, located in the large suburban area of Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania. With an enrollment of 596 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.5:1, Highlands MS offers a supportive learning environment with 52 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.3 out of 10, placing it in the 45th percentile among Pennsylvania schools based on its state ranking of #1564 out of 2852.
In terms of academic performance, 47% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 29% are proficient or above in Math. While there is room for improvement in these areas, the school continues to focus on student development and growth. Highlands MS sits in a vibrant suburban community, providing its students with easy access to local amenities and resources while fostering a close-knit educational environment.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Highlands MS — Students at Highlands MS score 37% 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 PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 14 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: 6.8/10.
How Highlands MS Compares
See how Highlands MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 28.6% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 46.2% (2024).
Location
1350 Broadview Boulevard, Natrona Heights, PA 15065
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highlands MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Freeport Area MS (rated 7.2/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Freeport), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Charles A Huston MS (rated 3.9/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Lower Burrell), a more accessible option. For more schools in Natrona Heights, see our Natrona Heights schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Highlands SHS Natrona Heights | 0.3 mi | 5.6 |
| ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Natrona Heights | 0.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Highlands Early Childhood Center Brackenridge | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Highlands El Sch Tarentum | 1.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Stewart El Sch Lower Burrell | 1.9 mi | 3.2 |
| MARY QUEEN OF APOSTLES SCHOOL New Kensington | 2.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Bon Air El Sch Lower Burrell | 2.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Burrell HS Lower Burrell | 2.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Charles A Huston MS Lower Burrell | 3.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Roy A. Hunt El Sch Arnold | 3.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Berkey Sch Arnold | 3.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Northern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center New Kensington | 3.6 mi | — |
| Valley JSHS New Kensington | 3.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Martin Sch New Kensington | 3.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Springdale JSHS Springdale | 5.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Freeport Area SHS Freeport | 5.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Freeport Area MS Freeport | 6.1 mi | 7.2 |
| South Buffalo El Sch Freeport | 6.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Buffalo El Sch Freeport | 7.4 mi | 3.6 |
| Acmetonia El Sch Cheswick | 6.6 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 15065 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,838
Median Home Value
$147,200
Median Rent
$770/mo
Population
10,927
College Educated
27.6%
Homeownership
77.6%
Avg Commute
23.8 min
Poverty Rate
9.8%
Median Age
49.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highlands MS has a median household income of $66,838. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $147,200, with a median rent of $770/month. The local poverty rate of 9.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Central Columbia MS Bloomsburg, PA | 6.8 |
| Jackson MS Lancaster, PA | 6.8 |
| Marticville MS Pequea, PA | 6.8 |
| North Hills El Sch York, PA | 6.8 |
| Oil City Area MS Oil City, PA | 6.8 |
| Penn Wood MS Darby, PA | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highlands MS
What grades does Highlands MS serve?
Highlands MS serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Highlands MS?
Highlands MS has an enrollment of approximately 596 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Highlands MS is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highlands MS rank in PA?
Highlands MS is ranked #1116 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Highlands MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Highlands MS has a composite rating of 6.8 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 MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highlands MS has 28.5% math proficiency and 47.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highlands MS a charter school?
No, Highlands MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highlands MS a Title I school?
No, Highlands MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highlands MS?
100.0% of students at Highlands MS 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
- County Safety
- Low (0/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 596
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 52
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Allegheny County
- Phone
- (724) 226-0600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Highlands SD- District Enrollment
- 2,137
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,691
- District Rank
- #1 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.