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Excellent

#176 of 1,851 schools in VA

Top 10% in state

Highland Elementary

Elementary School · Highland County Public Schools

P.O. Box 310, Monterey, VA 24465

Enrollment

112

Student-Teacher

10.2:1

Score

8.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#176 of 1,851

In Monterey

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Highland County Public Schools

School environment

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Highland Elementary

8.5/10

Elementary School in Monterey · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Highland High

7.8/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Green Bank Elementary-middle School

8.1/10

13.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Highland Elementary

Highland Elementary is a public elementary school in Monterey, VA, part of Highland County Public Schools. Highland Elementary serves approximately 112 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 10.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #176 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Highland Elementary show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.3 pts above VA schools
  • This school 8.5 · Excellent
  • VA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 112 students, Highland Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Highland Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.23 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.4Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency79% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency81% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg+5.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.3 pts
Overall Proficiency80% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)77% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected+3.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
Resources & Environment9.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,185
Chronic Absenteeism22.3%

Highland Elementary — Students at Highland Elementary score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 77%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 78.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.5% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 83.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.2% (2025 SOL)

Based on 33 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
95%
ELA
84.5%
2010
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2011
Math
54.5%
ELA
95%
2012
Math
74.5%
ELA
74.5%
2013
Math
64.5%
ELA
54.5%
2014
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2015
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2016
Math
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
2017
ELA
84.5%
2018
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2019
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2020*
Math
54.5%
ELA
74.5%
2021*
Math
54.5%
ELA
74.5%
2025
Math
78.3%
ELA
80.5%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How Highland Elementary Compares

See how Highland Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.5/10
91th percentile in VA
Academic
7.4/10
Very Good
Growth
8.7/10
Excellent
Environment
9.8/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

P.O. Box 310, Monterey, VA 24465

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Franklin Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 21.3 miles away, in nearby Franklin), with a very similar rating. Another option is Green Bank Elementary-Middle School (rated 8.1/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Green Bank), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Arthur R. Ware Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 31.1 miles away, in nearby Staunton), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Monterey, see our Monterey schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 31.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Highland High Monterey 0.0 mi 7.8
Green Bank Elementary-Middle School Green Bank 13.4 mi 8.1
North Fork Elementary School Circleville 19.0 mi 4.0
Franklin Elementary School Franklin 21.3 mi 8.4
Pendleton County Middle/High School Franklin 21.8 mi 5.8
Pocahontas County High School Dunmore 20.8 mi 7.6
Craigsville Elementary Craigsville 24.9 mi 2.5
Brandywine Elementary School Brandywine 23.7 mi 6.2
Buffalo Gap High Swoope 24.5 mi 7.2
Millboro Elementary Millboro 29.7 mi 7.7
Bath County High Hot Springs 28.3 mi 7.6
Churchville Elementary Churchville 26.1 mi 5.5
Tygarts Valley Middle/High School Mill Creek 30.6 mi 5.0
George Ward Elementary School Mill Creek 30.7 mi 6.0
Valley Elementary Hot Springs 33.5 mi 5.9
Beverly Elementary School Beverly 34.0 mi 3.4
TYGART VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Beverly 34.1 mi 3.1
Beverley Manor Middle Staunton 30.6 mi 5.4
Arthur R. Ware Elementary Staunton 31.1 mi 7.8
Shelburne Middle Staunton 31.2 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 24465 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,500

Median Home Value

$209,300

Median Rent

$863/mo

Population

1,287

College Educated

41%

Homeownership

82.8%

Poverty Rate

16.6%

Median Age

57.2

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Belfast Elementary Rosedale, VA 8.4
Fancy Gap Elementary Fancy Gap, VA 8.4
GREEN HEDGES SCHOOL Vienna, VA 8.4
AL FATIH ACADEMY Reston, VA 8.7
GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI Aldie, VA 8.3
Middleburg Community Charter Middleburg, VA 8.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland Elementary

What grades does Highland Elementary serve?

Highland Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Highland Elementary?

Highland Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 112 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary is 10.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highland Elementary rank in VA?

Highland Elementary ranks #176 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Highland Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Highland Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Elementary has 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Highland Elementary a charter school?

No, Highland Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Highland Elementary a Title I school?

No, Highland Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Elementary?

49.1% of students at Highland Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
19 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
112
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
49.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Highland County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.3%

District

Highland County Public Schools
District Enrollment
212
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,185
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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