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#1643 of 2,225 schools in WA

Highlands Elementary School

Elementary School · Renton School District

2720 NE 7th St, Renton, WA 98056

Enrollment

403

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

5.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Renton

#20 of 25

public schools

Washington elementary schools

#1,009 of 1,202

In district

#19 of 27

Renton School District

School environment

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Highlands Elementary School

Highlands Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Renton, Washington. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade students, the school has an enrollment of 403 pupils and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1 with 26 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in a mid-size city setting, Highlands Elementary offers its young learners a supportive educational environment.

While the MySchoolScout rating for Highlands is currently 4.0 out of 10, with academic performance at the 27th percentile among Washington state schools, the school focuses on fostering student development and growth. With only 29% of students meeting proficiency levels in ELA/Reading, Math, and Science, there is room for improvement in test scores. However, the school community remains dedicated to supporting its students' academic progress.

Highlands Elementary School is situated within a vibrant mid-size city that offers resources and opportunities beyond the classroom walls.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.82 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency26.8%
Math vs. State Avg-25.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.6 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-5.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,354

Highlands Elementary School — Students at Highlands Elementary School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 28.9%
School
State
45.8%
ELA Proficiency 28.6%
School
State
50.2%

Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
41%
ELA
39%
2022
ELA
27%
2024
Math
25.9%
ELA
26.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.8/10.

How Highlands Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
26th percentile in WA
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

Location

2720 NE 7th St, Renton, WA 98056

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highlands Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Newcastle Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Newcastle), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sartori Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Maplewood Heights Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Renton, see our Renton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Ella Baker High School (Open Doors) Renton 0.5 mi
Renton Technical High School Renton 0.5 mi
McKnight Middle School Renton 0.7 mi 5.6
Meadow Crest Early Childhood Education Center Renton 0.9 mi 5.2
Honey Dew Elementary Renton 0.9 mi 6.9
Sartori Elementary School Renton 1.1 mi 8.9
RENTON PREP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Renton 1.3 mi 7.9
AMAZING GRACE RENTON PREP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Renton 1.3 mi 7.6
Sierra Heights Elementary School Renton 1.5 mi 5.9
Kennydale Elementary School Renton 1.7 mi 6.7
Griffin Home Renton 1.7 mi
Tiffany Park Elementary School Renton 2.1 mi 7.8
PHOENIX MONTESSORI Renton 2.1 mi
Hazen Senior High School Renton 1.5 mi 6.2
Renton Senior High School Renton 1.7 mi 5.6
ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Renton 1.8 mi 5.9
Cascade Elementary School Renton 2.5 mi 8.3
Maplewood Heights Elementary School Renton 1.9 mi 8.8
Newcastle Elementary School Newcastle 2.4 mi 9.2
Nelsen Middle School Renton 2.7 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98056 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$108,596

Median Home Value

$726,300

Median Rent

$1,992/mo

Population

36,872

College Educated

44.1%

Homeownership

55%

Avg Commute

28.5 min

Poverty Rate

7.1%

Median Age

38.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Highlands Elementary School has a median household income of $108,596. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $726,300, with a median rent of $1,992/month. The local poverty rate of 7.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Cedarhome Elementary School Stanwood, WA 5.3
College Place Elementary Lynnwood, WA 5.3
Cottonwood Elementary School Bremerton, WA 5.3
Edison Elementary Centralia, WA 5.3
Edison Elementary School Kennewick, WA 5.3
Endeavour Elementary School Vancouver, WA 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highlands Elementary School

What grades does Highlands Elementary School serve?

Highlands Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Highlands Elementary School?

Highlands Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 403 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary School is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highlands Elementary School rank in WA?

Highlands Elementary School is ranked #1643 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Highlands Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highlands Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Highlands Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highlands Elementary School has 28.9% math proficiency and 28.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Highlands Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Highlands Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Highlands Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highlands Elementary School?

71.0% of students at Highlands 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,662/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
403
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
71.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
King County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Renton School District
District Enrollment
15,081
Schools in District
31
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,241
District Rank
#19 of 27

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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