Average
#3088 of 8,547 schools in TX
Top 36% in state
Highlands EL
Elementary School · FORT BEND ISD
2022 COLONIST PARK DR, Sugar Land, TX 77478
Enrollment
610
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
610
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sugar Land
#15 of 33
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#1,550 of 4,678
In district
#25 of 78
FORT BEND ISD
Academic performance
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Highlands EL
Highlands Elementary serves 610 students in grades PK through 5 in Sugar Land, Texas, earning strong recognition as one of the top-performing elementary schools in the state. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranking in the 86th percentile statewide at #1,239 out of 8,598 Texas schools, Highlands demonstrates solid academic achievement across core subjects. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1 with 39 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom.
Students show consistent performance in both English Language Arts and Mathematics, with 63% achieving proficient or above levels in each subject area. This academic success reflects the school's strong instructional foundation and commitment to student achievement. Highlands Elementary operates within Fort Bend County's well-regarded school system, serving families in the affluent Sugar Land community.
The surrounding 77478 ZIP code area features a median household income of $110,032 and median home values of $368,300, with 57% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 5.1%. Located on Colonist Park Drive, the school sits in a thriving mid-size city known for its family-friendly atmosphere and educational excellence.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Highlands EL — Students at Highlands EL score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.5%
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: 6.4/10.
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 70% (2019) to 56% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 66% (2019) to 60% (2021).
Location
2022 COLONIST PARK DR, Sugar Land, TX 77478
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highlands EL may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. COLONY MEADOWS EL (rated 7.8/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is SUGAR CREEK MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Stafford), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, LEXINGTON CREEK EL (rated 7.1/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Missouri City), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Sugar Land, see our Sugar Land schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| TRUE KNIGHT ACADEMY Sugar Land | 0.4 mi | — |
| FIRST COLONY MONTESSORI SOUTH Sugar Land | 0.6 mi | — |
| THE WALDEN SCHOOL Sugar Land | 1.0 mi | — |
| COLONY BEND EL Sugar Land | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| THE LITTLE VILLAGE SCHOOL Missouri City | 1.3 mi | — |
| SETTLERS WAY EL Sugar Land | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| FIRST COLONY MIDDLE Sugar Land | 1.6 mi | 5.7 |
| LEXINGTON CREEK EL Missouri City | 1.5 mi | 7.1 |
| CHRIST CHURCH SCHOOL Sugar Land | 1.7 mi | — |
| THE WIDE SCHOOL Missouri City | 1.6 mi | 6.1 |
| PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF FIRST COLONY Sugar Land | 1.7 mi | — |
| DULLES EL Sugar Land | 1.7 mi | 5.1 |
| LOGOS PREPARATORY SCHOOL Sugar Land | 2.0 mi | 4.8 |
| DULLES H S Sugar Land | 1.9 mi | 7.9 |
| AUSTIN PARKWAY EL Sugar Land | 1.9 mi | 6.4 |
| SUGAR CREEK MONTESSORI SCHOOL Stafford | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| KIDS R KIDS #12 TX Missouri City | 1.9 mi | — |
| DULLES MIDDLE Sugar Land | 2.0 mi | 5.5 |
| EVEREST ACADEMY Stafford | 2.0 mi | 7.9 |
| COLONY MEADOWS EL Sugar Land | 2.0 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 77478 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$116,205
Median Home Value
$378,700
Median Rent
$1,751/mo
Population
22,699
College Educated
59.4%
Homeownership
76.1%
Avg Commute
27.5 min
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Median Age
46.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highlands EL has a median household income of $116,205. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $378,700, with a median rent of $1,751/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| BARBARA JORDAN EL Dallas, TX | 6.9 |
| BAY COLONY EL Dickinson, TX | 6.9 |
| BEASLEY EL Beasley, TX | 6.9 |
| BROWNSBORO EL Brownsboro, TX | 6.9 |
| CAROL HOLT EL Arlington, TX | 6.9 |
| CENTRAL EL Carrollton, TX | 6.9 |
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 610 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands EL?
The student-teacher ratio at Highlands EL is 15.6:1. 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 #3088 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Highlands EL's MySchoolScout rating?
Highlands EL has a composite rating of 6.9 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 63.0% math proficiency and 63.0% 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?
41.5% 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
- Elevated (1,463/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sugar Land). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 610
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Fort Bend County
- Phone
- (281) 634-4160
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
FORT BEND ISD- District Enrollment
- 80,206
- Schools in District
- 83
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,520
- District Rank
- #25 of 78
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.
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