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Average

#760 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 41% in state

Highland High

High School · Highland County Public Schools

PO Box 430, Monterey, VA 24465

Enrollment

100

Student-Teacher

6.2:1

Score

6.8

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Monterey

#1 of 2

public schools

Virginia high schools

#163 of 323

In district

#1 of 2

Highland County Public Schools

School environment

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Highland High

Highland High serves 100 students in grades 6 through 12 in Monterey, Virginia, offering an exceptionally intimate learning environment with a remarkable 6.2:1 student-teacher ratio. With 16 full-time equivalent teachers, this regular public school provides personalized attention that's rare in today's educational landscape. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, achieving a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #146 out of 1,856 Virginia schools, placing it in the impressive 92nd percentile statewide.

This strong performance reflects the benefits of small class sizes and dedicated faculty who can focus closely on each student's individual needs and progress. Highland High operates within Highland County's close-knit community, where the median household income is $59,500 and median home values reach $185,500. About 35% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an environment that values education, while the 13.9% poverty rate indicates some economic challenges that the school works to address.

The school sits in a remote rural setting that defines much of Highland County's character, where students experience education in one of Virginia's most scenic and peaceful environments, far from urban distractions and close to the natural beauty that makes this mountain region distinctive.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 100 students, Highland High 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 6.2:1, Highland High offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Highland High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.6Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.79 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.9Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency100%
Reading/ELA Proficiency100%
Math vs. State Avg+24.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+24.3 pts
Overall Proficiency100%
Expected (poverty-adj.)80%
vs. Expected+19.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile98th
College Readiness4.8Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation12%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment10.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio6.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,994

Highland High — Students at Highland High score 100% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 80%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 75.9%
School
State
66.4%
ELA Proficiency 83.0%
School
State
73.8%

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
82%
ELA
95%
2021*
Math
64.5%
ELA
95%
2025
Math
77.3%
ELA
77%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How Highland High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.8/10
59th percentile in VA
Academic
9.9/10
9.9/10
Growth
3.6/10
Below average
Environment
10.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
6:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

PO Box 430, Monterey, VA 24465

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Pocahontas County High School (rated 8.6/10, 20.8 miles away, in nearby Dunmore), which scores notably higher. Another option is Buffalo Gap High (rated 6.9/10, 24.5 miles away, in nearby Swoope), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Bath County High (rated 6.8/10, 28.3 miles away, in nearby Hot Springs), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Monterey, see our Monterey schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 31.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Highland Elementary Monterey 0.0 mi 5.6
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 High 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
Council High Honaker, VA 6.9
COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL Roanoke, VA 7.2
MASSANUTTEN MILITARY ACADEMY Woodstock, VA 6.3
THE NEW SCHOOL OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA Fairfax, VA 7.3
York River Academy Yorktown, VA 6.3
FISHBURNE MILITARY SCHOOL Waynesboro, VA 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland High

What grades does Highland High serve?

Highland High serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Highland High?

Highland High has an enrollment of approximately 100 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland High?

The student-teacher ratio at Highland High is 6.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highland High rank in VA?

Highland High is ranked #760 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Highland High's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland High has a composite rating of 6.8 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 High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland High has 75.9% math proficiency and 83.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Highland High a charter school?

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

Is Highland High a Title I school?

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

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

45.0% of students at Highland High 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
6th – 12th
Enrollment
100
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.0%
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
#1 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

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