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Excellent

#4 of 284 private schools in TN

Top 1% of private schools

Highland Academy

High School

211 HIGHLAND CIR DR, Portland, TN 37148

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on TN statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

100

Student-Teacher

8.3:1

Score

8.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Tennessee high schools

#1 of 35

About Highland Academy

Highland Academy serves 100 students in grades 9-12 in Portland, Tennessee, offering an intimate high school experience with an exceptional 8.3:1 student-teacher ratio. With just 12 full-time equivalent teachers, this regular public school provides personalized attention that's rare in larger institutions. The school has earned impressive recognition, ranking #60 out of 284 high schools statewide and placing in the 79th percentile with a strong 9.1 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating.

This outstanding performance reflects the quality education Highland Academy delivers to its small student body. The school draws from a stable community where the median household income reaches $72,141 and median home values sit at $251,000. With a poverty rate of just 10.4%, families in the area generally enjoy economic security, though only 14% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The ZIP code area serves over 25,000 residents, providing a substantial community base. Highland Academy's compact size creates opportunities for students to build close relationships with teachers and classmates while participating meaningfully in school activities and leadership roles. Located in a town on the fringe of an urban area, the school combines small-town familiarity with access to broader metropolitan resources.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 100 students, Highland Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.3:1, Highland Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Highland Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Highland Academy compares to the 8 public schools in Portland, TN

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.3:1
This School
vs
13.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
100
This School
vs
476
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.4
This School
vs
5.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 72% vs 0%
Hispanic 15% vs 0%
Black 12% vs 0%
Asian 1% vs 0%
Highland Academy Portland Public Avg

All Schools in Portland

School Rating
Highland Academy (this school) 8.4
Clyde Riggs Elementary 4.4
J W Wiseman Elementary 3.8
Portland East Middle School 6.6
Sumner County Middle Technical College High School at Portla
Portland High School 5.7
Watt Hardison Elementary 5.6
Portland West Middle School 7.2
Portland Gateview Elementary School 3.3

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in TN.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B+ 7.4 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.3:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 10.2 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,836
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 8.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 45%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A 8.7 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 100
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in TN

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 72.0%
Hispanic 15.0%
Black 12.0%
Asian 1.0%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

211 HIGHLAND CIR DR, Portland, TN 37148

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Portland High School (rated 5.7/10, 4.6 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is BLEDSOE YOUTH ACADEMY (rated 4.9/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Gallatin), a more accessible option. Additionally, E B Wilson (rated 4.4/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Gallatin), a more accessible option. For more schools in Portland, see our Portland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Clyde Riggs Elementary Portland 1.9 mi 4.4
J W Wiseman Elementary Portland 2.4 mi 3.8
Portland East Middle School Portland 3.5 mi 6.6
Sumner County Middle Technical College High School at Portla Portland 3.6 mi
Watt Hardison Elementary Portland 4.7 mi 5.6
Portland High School Portland 4.6 mi 5.7
PORTLAND MONTESSORI ACADEMY Portland 4.8 mi
Portland West Middle School Portland 4.9 mi 7.2
Oakmont Elementary Cottontown 4.4 mi 9.4
Portland Gateview Elementary School Portland 5.1 mi 3.3
Benny C. Bills Elementary School Gallatin 8.5 mi 3.9
Union Elementary School Gallatin 8.7 mi 7.2
Joe Shafer Middle School Gallatin 8.6 mi 4.1
R T Fisher Alternative Gallatin 9.0 mi 7.4
ST JOHN VIANNEY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gallatin 9.1 mi 7.7
Howard Elementary Gallatin 9.5 mi 8.0
Liberty Creek High School Gallatin 9.3 mi
BLEDSOE YOUTH ACADEMY Gallatin 9.8 mi 4.9
E B Wilson Gallatin 9.6 mi 4.4
Vena Stuart Elementary Gallatin 9.6 mi 3.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 37148 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$77,684

Median Home Value

$273,200

Median Rent

$1,082/mo

Population

25,421

College Educated

14.4%

Homeownership

75.1%

Avg Commute

30 min

Poverty Rate

10.6%

Median Age

36.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Highland Academy has a median household income of $77,684. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $273,200, with a median rent of $1,082/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.6%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Vanguard Virtual High School Franklin, TN 8.5
Medical District High School Memphis, TN 8.6
TEMPLETON ACADEMY Nashville, TN 8.0
NATCHEZ TRACE YOUTH ACADEMY Waverly, TN 7.9
W.A. Bass Alternative Learning Center Nashville, TN 7.7
MADISON ACADEMY Madison, TN 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland Academy

What grades does Highland Academy serve?

Highland Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Highland Academy?

Highland Academy has an enrollment of approximately 100 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Highland Academy is 8.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Highland Academy rank in TN?

Highland Academy is ranked #4 out of 284 private schools in TN.

What is Highland Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Academy has a composite rating of 8.4 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.

Is Highland Academy a private school?

Yes, Highland Academy is a private coeducational school with a Seventh-day Adventist affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Highland Academy a religious school?

Highland Academy has a Seventh-day Adventist religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
15 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (847/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Portland). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
100
Gender Split
50% M / 50% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Seventh-day Adventist
School Day
10.2 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Fringe Town
County
SUMNER
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

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