Skip to main content

Average

#1265 of 1,850 schools in VA

Highland Elementary

Elementary School · Highland County Public Schools

P.O. Box 310, Monterey, VA 24465

Enrollment

112

Student-Teacher

10.2:1

Score

5.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Monterey

#2 of 2

public schools

Virginia elementary schools

#675 of 1,147

In district

#2 of 2

Highland County Public Schools

School environment

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Highland Elementary

Highland Elementary serves 112 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Monterey, Virginia, offering an intimate learning environment with a favorable student-teacher ratio of 10.2 to 1. With 11 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention that has contributed to its strong performance, earning a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #145 out of 1,856 schools statewide, placing it in the 92nd percentile among Virginia elementary schools. The school serves the Highland County community, where families enjoy a median household income of $59,500 and median home values of $185,500.

About 35% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 13.9%, reflecting a stable working-class community. The small class sizes at Highland Elementary allow teachers to focus on individual student needs and foster strong relationships with families throughout the area. Highland Elementary's academic success in such a small school setting demonstrates the benefits of personalized education and community support.

The school operates in a remote rural setting, serving the tight-knit Highland County community of approximately 1,274 residents who value education and their mountain heritage.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 112 students, Highland Elementary 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.

Located in a rural area, Highland Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.3Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.5Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency79%
Reading/ELA Proficiency81%
Math vs. State Avg+5.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.3 pts
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)79%
vs. Expected+0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment10.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,994

Highland Elementary — Students at Highland Elementary score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 79%).

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 77.1%
School
State
73.5%
ELA Proficiency 81.9%
School
State
72.2%

Based on 12 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
95%
ELA
95%
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: 3.3/10.

How Highland Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.6/10
32th percentile in VA
Academic
6.5/10
6.5/10
Growth
3.3/10
Below average
Environment
10.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

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. North Fork Elementary School (rated 9.5/10, 19.0 miles away, in nearby Circleville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Franklin Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 21.3 miles away, in nearby Franklin), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Arthur R. Ware Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 31.1 miles away, in nearby Staunton), which scores notably higher. 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 6.8
Green Bank Elementary-Middle School Green Bank 13.4 mi 5.4
North Fork Elementary School Circleville 19.0 mi 9.5
Franklin Elementary School Franklin 21.3 mi 8.2
Pendleton County Middle/High School Franklin 21.8 mi 4.0
Pocahontas County High School Dunmore 20.8 mi 8.6
Craigsville Elementary Craigsville 24.9 mi 3.3
Brandywine Elementary School Brandywine 23.7 mi 6.2
Buffalo Gap High Swoope 24.5 mi 6.9
Millboro Elementary Millboro 29.7 mi 5.3
Bath County High Hot Springs 28.3 mi 6.8
Churchville Elementary Churchville 26.1 mi 3.5
Tygarts Valley Middle/High School Mill Creek 30.6 mi 4.7
George Ward Elementary School Mill Creek 30.7 mi 3.7
Valley Elementary Hot Springs 33.5 mi 5.0
Beverly Elementary School Beverly 34.0 mi 4.4
TYGART VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Beverly 34.1 mi 3.1
Beverley Manor Middle Staunton 30.6 mi 3.4
Arthur R. Ware Elementary Staunton 31.1 mi 7.3
Shelburne Middle Staunton 31.2 mi 8.4

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Highland Elementary has a median household income of $65,500. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $209,300, with a median rent of $863/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.6%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
AMBLESIDE SCHOOL Mclean, VA 5.6
MERIT OF PRINCE WILLIAM Dale City, VA 5.6
OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN SCHOOL Arlington, VA 5.5
SHENANDOAH VALLEY ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL New Market, VA 5.5
ST ANNES SCHOOL Bristol, VA 5.5
GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Falls Church, VA 5.8

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 is ranked #1265 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Highland Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Elementary has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Highland Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Elementary has 77.1% math proficiency and 81.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

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 →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

Related 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.