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
Enrollment
112
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Highland Elementary — Students at Highland Elementary score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 79%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from VA 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: 3.3/10.
How Highland Elementary Compares
See how Highland Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 95% (2019) to 79% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 95% (2019) to 81% (2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (540) 468-6360
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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