Average
#1448 of 2,225 schools in WA
Highlands Middle School
Middle School · Kennewick School District
425 SOUTH TWEEDT STREET, Kennewick, WA 99336
Enrollment
723
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
5.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
723
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
5.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kennewick
#14 of 25
public schools
Washington middle schools
#184 of 374
In district
#18 of 29
Kennewick School District
About Highlands Middle School
Highlands Middle School is a public middle school located in Kennewick, Washington. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 723 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.4:1 with 44 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Highlands Middle School shows room for improvement, with only 33% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 20% in Math, and 25% in Science.
According to the MySchoolScout Rating, Highlands ranks #1777 out of 2261 schools in Washington, placing it around the 22nd percentile. Despite these challenges, the school continues to focus on student development and growth. Highlands Middle School is situated in a small city setting within Benton County, offering students access to local resources and community activities while providing a supportive learning environment for its diverse student body.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Highlands Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Highlands Middle School — Students at Highlands Middle School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)
Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.8/10.
How Highlands Middle School Compares
See how Highlands Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 26% (2019) to 18.7% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 31.8% (2024).
Location
425 SOUTH TWEEDT STREET, Kennewick, WA 99336
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highlands Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Chinook Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Horse Heaven Hills Middle School (rated 3.9/10, 2.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Kennewick, see our Kennewick schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Endeavor High School Kennewick | 0.5 mi | — |
| Legacy High School Kennewick | 0.5 mi | 2.5 |
| Edison Elementary School Kennewick | 0.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Hawthorne Elementary School Kennewick | 1.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Kamiakin High School Kennewick | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Kennewick | 1.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Southgate Elementary School Kennewick | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Keewaydin Discovery Center Kennewick | 1.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Westgate Elementary School Kennewick | 1.0 mi | 8.9 |
| Chinook Middle School Kennewick | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Benton/Franklin Juvenile Justice Center Kennewick | 1.6 mi | — |
| Mid-Columbia Parent Partnership Kennewick | 1.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Fuerza Elementary Kennewick | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Southridge High School Kennewick | 2.0 mi | 4.7 |
| BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kennewick | 1.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Horse Heaven Hills Middle School Kennewick | 2.3 mi | 3.9 |
| KINGSPOINT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pasco | 2.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Ridge View Elementary School Kennewick | 2.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Phoenix High School Kennewick | 2.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Sage Crest Elementary Kennewick | 2.6 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 99336 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,308
Median Home Value
$292,300
Median Rent
$1,155/mo
Population
51,180
College Educated
21.3%
Homeownership
49.3%
Avg Commute
21.9 min
Poverty Rate
17.1%
Median Age
34.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highlands Middle School has a median household income of $63,308. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $292,300, with a median rent of $1,155/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.1%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Chinook Middle School Lacey, WA | 5.7 |
| Doris Stahl Junior High Puyallup, WA | 5.7 |
| Ferrucci Jr High Puyallup, WA | 5.7 |
| Glacier View Junior High Puyallup, WA | 5.7 |
| Granite Falls Middle School Granite Falls, WA | 5.7 |
| Issaquah Middle School Issaquah, WA | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highlands Middle School
What grades does Highlands Middle School serve?
Highlands Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Highlands Middle School?
Highlands Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 723 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Middle School is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highlands Middle School rank in WA?
Highlands Middle School is ranked #1448 out of 2,225 schools in WA.
What is Highlands Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highlands Middle School has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Highlands Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highlands Middle School has 20.2% math proficiency and 33.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highlands Middle School a charter school?
No, Highlands Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highlands Middle School a Title I school?
No, Highlands Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highlands Middle School?
75.8% of students at Highlands 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,832/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kennewick). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 723
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 75.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Benton County
- Phone
- (509) 222-6700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Kennewick School District- District Enrollment
- 18,805
- Schools in District
- 33
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,202
- District Rank
- #18 of 29
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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