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#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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.82 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics3.8Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.5%
Math vs. State Avg-29.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-26.7 pts
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected-12.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile19th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,006

Highland Community Elementary — Students at Highland Community Elementary score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 38.9%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 37.1%
School
State
50.9%

Based on 10 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2025
Math
41%
ELA
46.4%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.3/10
46th percentile in WI
Academic
3.8/10
3.8/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
8.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Highland School District
District Enrollment
268
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,712
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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