Below Average
#222 of 280 schools in VT
Highgate Elementary School
Elementary School · Missisquoi Valley School District #89
P.O. Box 163, Highgate Center, VT 05459
Enrollment
274
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
274
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Vermont elementary schools
#163 of 200
In district
#4 of 4
Missisquoi Valley School District #89
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Highgate Elementary School
Highgate Elementary School is a regular public elementary school nestled in the rural community of Highgate Center, Vermont. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 274 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.4:1 with 24 full-time equivalent teachers. While the MySchoolScout rating places Highgate Elementary at 5.7 out of 10, it holds steady in the state ranking as #123 out of 280 schools in Vermont, placing it in the 56th percentile overall.
Academically, students show a proficiency rate of 52% in ELA/Reading and 40% in Math across all grades. Highgate Elementary focuses on fostering a strong community atmosphere where teachers can provide individualized attention to each student's needs. The school is situated in a rural setting that offers a close-knit environment, perfect for students to grow both academically and socially.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Highgate Elementary School 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 metricsView breakdown
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Highgate Elementary School — Students at Highgate Elementary School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 4 test records from VT 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: 1.8/10.
How Highgate Elementary School Compares
See how Highgate Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2021) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2021) to 42% (2022).
Location
P.O. Box 163, Highgate Center, VT 05459
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highgate Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Franklin Central School (rated 9.0/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Franklin), which scores notably higher. Another option is Enosburg Falls Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Enosburg Falls), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Swanton School (rated 7.4/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Swanton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Highgate Center, see our Highgate Center schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 21.6 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 05459 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,841
Median Home Value
$266,900
Population
2,003
College Educated
10.4%
Homeownership
77.2%
Poverty Rate
1.8%
Median Age
39.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highgate Elementary School has a median household income of $79,841. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $266,900. The local poverty rate of 1.8% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ferrisburgh Central School Ferrisburgh, VT | 4.7 |
| Northfield Elementary School Northfield, VT | 4.7 |
| Bennington Elementary School Bennington, VT | 4.9 |
| Hyde Park Elementary School Hyde Park, VT | 4.9 |
| Fair Haven Grade School Fair Haven, VT | 5.0 |
| Elm Hill School Springfield, VT | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highgate Elementary School
What grades does Highgate Elementary School serve?
Highgate Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Highgate Elementary School?
Highgate Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 274 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highgate Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highgate Elementary School is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highgate Elementary School rank in VT?
Highgate Elementary School is ranked #222 out of 280 schools in VT.
What is Highgate Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highgate Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Highgate Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highgate Elementary School has 39.5% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highgate Elementary School a charter school?
No, Highgate Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highgate Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Highgate Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highgate Elementary School?
55.1% of students at Highgate Elementary School 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
- County Safety
- Low (197/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 274
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Franklin County
- Phone
- (802) 868-4170
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Missisquoi Valley School District #89- District Enrollment
- 1,869
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $25,085
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
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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