Average
#6576 of 8,547 schools in TX
Highlands EL
Elementary School · CEDAR HILL ISD
131 SIMS DR, Cedar Hill, TX 75104
Enrollment
436
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
436
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Cedar Hill
#7 of 11
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#3,288 of 4,678
In district
#7 of 11
CEDAR HILL ISD
About Highlands EL
HIGHLANDS EL is a regular public elementary school located in the Cedar Hill area of Dallas County, Texas. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 436 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1. With 30 full-time equivalent teachers, Highlands EL offers a supportive learning environment where each child receives individual attention.
Academically, Highlands EL is ranked #6773 out of 8598 schools in Texas, placing it at the 21st percentile statewide. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 3.7/10 and its academic score is 2.6/10, indicating there is room for improvement in test performance. Currently, only 27% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 30% meet proficiency standards in Math.
Highlands EL is situated in a large suburban area, providing a comfortable and familiar setting for local families. The school focuses on the development and growth of its students, encouraging them to reach their full potential both inside and outside the classroom.
Score Breakdown
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Highlands EL — Students at Highlands EL score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
86.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from TX 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: 5.1/10.
How Highlands EL Compares
See how Highlands EL performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 20% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 31% (2019) to 23% (2021).
Location
131 SIMS DR, Cedar Hill, TX 75104
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highlands EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HIGH POINTE EL (rated 6.7/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CEDAR HILL COLLEGIATE PREP (rated 5.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, LIFE SCHOOL CEDAR HILL (rated 5.6/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Red Oak), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Cedar Hill, see our Cedar Hill schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CEDAR HILL COLLEGIATE PREP Cedar Hill | 1.1 mi | 5.6 |
| WATERFORD OAKS EL Cedar Hill | 1.1 mi | 4.9 |
| CEDAR HILL H S Cedar Hill | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| BESSIE COLEMAN MIDDLE Cedar Hill | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| W S PERMENTER MIDDLE Cedar Hill | 1.4 mi | 5.7 |
| PLUMMER EL Cedar Hill | 1.7 mi | 3.9 |
| NOVA ACADEMY CEDAR HILL Dallas | 2.1 mi | 3.5 |
| LIFE SCHOOL CEDAR HILL Red Oak | 2.4 mi | 5.6 |
| HIGH POINTE EL Cedar Hill | 2.4 mi | 6.7 |
| S GUS ALEXANDER JR EL Duncanville | 2.6 mi | 4.9 |
| COCKRELL HILL EL Desoto | 2.3 mi | 5.3 |
| NEWMAN INTERNATIONAL AT CEDAR HILL Arlington | 2.5 mi | 4.3 |
| GRACE R BRANDENBURG INT Duncanville | 2.9 mi | 4.9 |
| CEDAR HILL COLLEGIATE H S Cedar Hill | 2.6 mi | 6.2 |
| CEDAR HILL COLLEGIATE ACADEMY Cedar Hill | 2.6 mi | 4.3 |
| BROWNS EARLY DISCOVERY SCHOOL Duncanville | 3.1 mi | — |
| VILLAGE TECH SCHOOLS Duncanville | 3.1 mi | 3.6 |
| PREMIER H S - DESOTO Lewisville | 3.1 mi | — |
| H BOB DANIEL SR INT Duncanville | 3.7 mi | 6.1 |
| CLINT Q SMITH EL Duncanville | 3.7 mi | 3.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 75104 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$91,147
Median Home Value
$274,900
Median Rent
$1,886/mo
Population
49,425
College Educated
31.4%
Homeownership
69.4%
Avg Commute
31.9 min
Poverty Rate
10%
Median Age
35
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highlands EL has a median household income of $91,147. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $274,900, with a median rent of $1,886/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| ARLINGTON CLASSICS ACADEMY - ARKANSAS CAMPUS Arlington, TX | 5.0 |
| BARRINGTON PLACE EL Sugar Land, TX | 5.0 |
| BLOCK HOUSE CREEK EL Leander, TX | 5.0 |
| BOONE EL San Antonio, TX | 5.0 |
| BOWIE EL San Marcos, TX | 5.0 |
| BREWSTER EL Edinburg, TX | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highlands EL
What grades does Highlands EL serve?
Highlands EL serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Highlands EL?
Highlands EL has an enrollment of approximately 436 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Highlands EL is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highlands EL rank in TX?
Highlands EL is ranked #6576 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Highlands EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Highlands EL has a composite rating of 5.0 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?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highlands EL has 30.0% math proficiency and 27.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highlands EL a charter school?
No, Highlands EL is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highlands EL a Title I school?
No, Highlands EL is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highlands EL?
86.7% of students at Highlands EL qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,955/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cedar Hill). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 436
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 86.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Dallas County
- Phone
- (972) 291-0496
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
CEDAR HILL ISD- District Enrollment
- 6,336
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,107
- District Rank
- #7 of 11
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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