Average
#1143 of 2,102 schools in WI
Highland Community Elementary
Elementary School · Highland School District
1030 Cardinal Dr, Highland, WI 53543
Enrollment
114
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
114
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Highland
#2 of 3
public schools
Wisconsin elementary schools
#663 of 1,099
In district
#2 of 3
Highland School District
School environment
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Highland Community Elementary
Highland Community Elementary serves 114 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Highland, Wisconsin. This small rural school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 11.4:1 with 10 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and close relationships between educators and families. The school has earned recognition for its quality education, ranking #218 out of 2,112 elementary schools statewide and placing in the 90th percentile among Wisconsin schools.
This strong performance reflects the school's commitment to providing a solid educational foundation for its young learners in a small-school environment where every student is known and valued. Highland Community Elementary draws from a stable rural community in Iowa County, where the median household income of $81,136 reflects families who are invested in their children's education. The surrounding ZIP code area has a population of 1,746 with a poverty rate of 9.9%, indicating a relatively secure economic base for the school community.
The school operates in Highland's remote rural setting, offering students the benefits of small-town education with strong community connections. This intimate educational environment allows teachers to develop meaningful relationships with students and families while maintaining high academic expectations in a supportive, close-knit atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 114 students, Highland Community Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Highland Community Elementary 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.
Located in a rural area, Highland Community Elementary 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
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Highland Community Elementary — Students at Highland Community Elementary score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)
Based on 10 test records from WI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 7.1/10.
How Highland Community Elementary Compares
See how Highland Community Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 24.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 24.5% (2021).
Location
1030 Cardinal Dr, Highland, WI 53543
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highland Community Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dodgeville Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Dodgeville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Iowa-Grant Elementary/Middle (rated 7.9/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Livingston), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mineral Point Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 16.6 miles away, in nearby Mineral Point), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Highland, see our Highland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Highland Community High Highland | 0.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Highland Community Middle Highland | 0.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Iowa-Grant Elementary/Middle Livingston | 8.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Iowa-Grant High Livingston | 8.5 mi | 3.7 |
| Riverdale Elementary Muscoda | 10.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Riverdale Academy Muscoda | 10.2 mi | — |
| Riverdale Junior High Muscoda | 10.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Riverdale High Muscoda | 10.2 mi | 5.9 |
| MUSCODA CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Muscoda | 9.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Dodgeville Middle Dodgeville | 13.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Dodgeville High Dodgeville | 13.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Dodgeville Elementary Dodgeville | 13.3 mi | 8.0 |
| EAGLE SCHOOLS Richland Center | 18.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Mineral Point High Mineral Point | 15.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Mineral Point Middle Mineral Point | 15.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Richland Center Intermediate School Richland Center | 18.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Richland Center Primary School Richland Center | 18.3 mi | 3.5 |
| Mineral Point Elementary Mineral Point | 16.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Fennimore High Fennimore | 14.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Fennimore Middle Fennimore | 14.5 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 53543 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$82,639
Median Home Value
$198,900
Median Rent
$659/mo
Population
1,787
College Educated
17.5%
Homeownership
84.4%
Avg Commute
25.5 min
Poverty Rate
11.1%
Median Age
43.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highland Community Elementary has a median household income of $82,639. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $198,900, with a median rent of $659/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Appleton Bilingual School Appleton, WI | 6.3 |
| Consolidated Elementary Janesville, WI | 6.3 |
| KENOSHA LUTHERAN ACADEMY LOWER CAMPUS Kenosha, WI | 6.3 |
| Kettle Moraine Explore Wales, WI | 6.3 |
| MORNING STAR LUTHERAN SCHOOL Jackson, WI | 6.3 |
| MT CALVARY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Milwaukee, WI | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highland Community Elementary
What grades does Highland Community Elementary serve?
Highland Community Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Highland Community Elementary?
Highland Community Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 114 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Community Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland Community Elementary 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 Highland Community Elementary rank in WI?
Highland Community Elementary is ranked #1143 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Highland Community Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Community Elementary has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Highland Community Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Community Elementary has 38.9% math proficiency and 37.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highland Community Elementary a charter school?
No, Highland Community Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highland Community Elementary a Title I school?
No, Highland Community Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Community Elementary?
41.2% of students at Highland Community Elementary 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
- County Safety
- Low (155/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 114
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Iowa County
- Phone
- (608) 929-4525
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Highland School District- District Enrollment
- 268
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,712
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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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