Skip to main content

Average

#930 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 42% in state

Highland Middle School

Middle School · Mead School District

3515 W Hawthorne Rd, Spokane, WA 99208

Enrollment

693

Student-Teacher

17.8:1

Score

6.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Spokane

#37 of 68

public schools

Washington middle schools

#81 of 374

In district

#8 of 16

Mead School District

Equity

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Highland Middle School

Highland Middle School is a public middle school located in Spokane, Washington, specifically in a rural area near a town. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 693 students with a student-teacher ratio of 17.8:1, ensuring that each class remains relatively small and manageable. Highland Middle School boasts 39 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education.

According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, the school scores a 6.8 out of 10 overall, placing it in the 72nd percentile among all schools in Washington state. In terms of academic performance, students excel with an 8.1/10 score for academics, showing strong potential and growth areas. In core subjects like English Language Arts (ELA) and Reading, 64% of students are proficient or above, while Math proficiency stands at 55%.

For Science, the proficiency rate is slightly lower at 43%, indicating there's room for academic improvement in this area. Despite these figures, Highland Middle School continues to focus on student development and supports its learners as they navigate through middle school. The setting of Highland Middle School offers a rural environment that provides a unique backdrop for students' educational journey.

The surrounding community is supportive and fosters a nurturing atmosphere where young adolescents can thrive both academically and socially.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Highland Middle 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 metrics
Student Progress6.8Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.7 pts/yr
Data Period2022–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.0Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency63.6%
Math vs. State Avg+16.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+16.1 pts
Overall Proficiency59%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected+1.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,830

Highland Middle School — Students at Highland Middle School score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 55.5%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 64.3%
School
State
49.0%

Based on 11 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2022
ELA
67%
2024
Math
55.5%
ELA
63.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.8/10.

How Highland Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
58th percentile in WA
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
4.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers

Location

3515 W Hawthorne Rd, Spokane, WA 99208

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Browne Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Balboa Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Skyline Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Spokane, see our Spokane schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Skyline Elementary Spokane 0.3 mi 8.8
Prairie View Elementary Spokane 0.8 mi 5.7
Mead Learning Options Spokane 1.0 mi 4.0
ST GEORGE'S SCHOOL Spokane 1.1 mi 7.6
Woodridge Elementary Spokane 1.0 mi 4.7
EXCELSIOR YOUTH CENTER Spokane 1.9 mi 6.6
ASSUMPTION PARISH SCHOOL Spokane 2.0 mi 4.9
Indian Trail Elementary Spokane 2.1 mi 7.7
Balboa Elementary Spokane 2.3 mi 9.1
Salk Middle School Spokane 2.4 mi 4.7
Westview Elementary Spokane 2.6 mi 7.4
SPOKANE MONTESSORI SCHOOL NORTH Spokane 2.0 mi
NORTH WALL SCHOOLS Spokane 2.0 mi
ST MATTHEW LUTHERAN SCHOOL Spokane 2.4 mi 3.9
ST THOMAS MORE SCHOOL Spokane 2.3 mi 5.7
Brentwood Elementary School Spokane 2.3 mi 4.7
Browne Elementary Spokane 3.2 mi 9.2
Linwood Elementary Spokane 2.6 mi 8.0
Ridgeview Elementary Spokane 3.1 mi 6.2
Evergreen Elementary School Spokane 2.4 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 99208 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,084

Median Home Value

$414,000

Median Rent

$1,226/mo

Population

58,834

College Educated

33.8%

Homeownership

65%

Avg Commute

24.8 min

Poverty Rate

8.6%

Median Age

40.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Highland Middle School has a median household income of $81,084. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $414,000, with a median rent of $1,226/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Angelo Giaudrone Middle School Tacoma, WA 6.7
Frontier Middle School Vancouver, WA 6.7
Garrison Middle School Walla Walla, WA 6.7
John Sedgwick Middle School Port Orchard, WA 6.7
Stevens Middle School Port Angeles, WA 6.7
Sumner Middle School Sumner, WA 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland Middle School

What grades does Highland Middle School serve?

Highland Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Highland Middle School?

Highland Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 693 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Highland Middle School is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highland Middle School rank in WA?

Highland Middle School is ranked #930 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Highland Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Middle School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Middle School has 55.5% math proficiency and 64.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Highland Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Highland Middle School a Title I school?

No, Highland Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

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

29.7% of students at Highland Middle 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (5,571/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Spokane). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
693
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
29.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Spokane County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Mead School District
District Enrollment
10,410
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,204
District Rank
#8 of 16

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.