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Average

#1727 of 2,228 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

5.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Washington schools

#1,727 of 2,228

In Kennewick

#20 of 31

public schools

In district

#20 of 29

Kennewick School District

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Highlands Middle School

5.0/10

Middle School in Kennewick · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Endeavor High School

Nearby

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Legacy High School

3.0/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Highlands Middle School

Highlands Middle School is a public middle school in Kennewick, WA, part of Kennewick School District. Highlands Middle School serves approximately 723 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Highlands Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,727 of 2,228 schools in WA.

Structured state assessment records for Highlands Middle School show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 5.0 · Average
  • District avg 5.6
  • WA avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Highlands Middle School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

54% of students at Highlands Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.4Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.51 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18.7% (2024 SBA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency31.8% (2024 SBA)
Math vs. State Avg-19.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.7 pts
Overall Proficiency25% (2024 SBA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)29% (model expectation from 2024 SBA)
vs. Expected-4.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,202
Chronic Absenteeism53.7%

Highlands Middle School — Students at Highlands Middle School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

75.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 27.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.9% (2024 SBA)
ELA Proficiency 41.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
49.0% (2024 SBA)

Based on 34 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
40%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
35%
ELA
48%
2011
Math
38%
ELA
59%
2012
Math
31%
ELA
49%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
53%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
40%
2015
Math
28%
ELA
43%
2016
Math
25%
ELA
35%
2017
Math
29%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
26%
ELA
41%
2019
Math
26%
ELA
41%
2022
Math
15.5%
ELA
31%
2024
Math
18.8%
ELA
31.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.4/10.

How Highlands Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
23th percentile in WA
Academic
4.2/10
Below Average
Growth
6.4/10
Average
Environment
4.0/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
53.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 5.7/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Horse Heaven Hills Middle School (rated 4.4/10, 2.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 3.0
Edison Elementary School Kennewick 0.6 mi 5.0
Hawthorne Elementary School Kennewick 1.0 mi 7.8
Kamiakin High School Kennewick 0.9 mi 6.0
Lincoln Elementary School Kennewick 1.2 mi 7.6
Southgate Elementary School Kennewick 1.2 mi 4.5
Keewaydin Discovery Center Kennewick 1.0 mi 5.4
Westgate Elementary School Kennewick 1.0 mi 8.8
Chinook Middle School Kennewick 1.5 mi 5.7
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 7.5
Southridge High School Kennewick 2.0 mi 4.1
BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN SCHOOL Kennewick 1.9 mi 5.6
Horse Heaven Hills Middle School Kennewick 2.3 mi 4.4
KINGSPOINT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pasco 2.7 mi 7.8
Ridge View Elementary School Kennewick 2.0 mi 8.0
Phoenix High School Kennewick 2.0 mi 6.4
Sage Crest Elementary Kennewick 2.6 mi 7.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Ballou Jr High Puyallup, WA 5.0
Chinook Middle School Seatac, WA 5.0
Cedar Heights Middle School Covington, WA 4.9
Daybreak Middle Battle Ground, WA 5.1
Edgemont Jr High Edgewood, WA 5.1
Glover Middle School Spokane, WA 5.1

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 ranks #1,727 of 2,228 schools in WA.

What is Highlands Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highlands Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Highlands Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highlands Middle School has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
50 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
43 Some Transit
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
53.7%

District

Kennewick School District
District Enrollment
18,805
Schools in District
33
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,202
District Rank
#20 of 29

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