Very Good
#549 of 2,102 schools in WI
Top 26% in state
Highland Community High
High School · Highland School District
1030 Cardinal Dr, Highland, WI 53543
Enrollment
99
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
99
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Highland
#1 of 3
public schools
Wisconsin high schools
#56 of 499
In district
#1 of 3
Highland School District
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Highland Community High
Highland Community High serves 99 students in grades 9-12 in the small town of Highland, Wisconsin. This intimate high school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 9:1 with 11 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and close student-teacher relationships that larger schools often cannot provide. The school has earned recognition for its performance, ranking #219 out of 2,112 Wisconsin high schools and placing in the 90th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10.
This strong ranking demonstrates the school's commitment to educational excellence despite its small size. Highland Community High's students come from a stable community where the median household income is $81,136 and the poverty rate is just 9.9%. The area has a median home value of $192,400, reflecting a modest but solid economic foundation.
While 19% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the school serves an important role in preparing students for their next educational or career steps. Located on Cardinal Drive in this remote rural area of Iowa County, Highland Community High offers students the advantages of small-school learning in a tight-knit community setting where everyone knows each other and individual student success is a shared priority.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 99 students, Highland Community High 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, Highland Community High offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Highland Community High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Highland Community High — Students at Highland Community High score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
35.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 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: 9.7/10.
How Highland Community High Compares
See how Highland Community High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 49.5% (2019) to 49.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 30% (2019) to 49.5% (2021).
Location
1030 Cardinal Dr, Highland, WI 53543
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highland Community High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Mineral Point High (rated 6.4/10, 15.9 miles away, in nearby Mineral Point), with a comparable rating. Another option is Riverdale High (rated 5.9/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Muscoda), a more accessible option. Additionally, Fennimore High (rated 5.4/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Fennimore), a more accessible option. For more schools in Highland, see our Highland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Highland Community Elementary Highland | 0.0 mi | 6.3 |
| 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 High 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 |
|---|---|
| Ithaca High Richland Center, WI | 7.3 |
| Monona Grove Liberal Arts Monona, WI | 7.3 |
| South Shore Jr/Sr High Port Wing, WI | 7.2 |
| Pembine High Pembine, WI | 7.4 |
| Athens High Athens, WI | 7.1 |
| Bowler High Bowler, WI | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highland Community High
What grades does Highland Community High serve?
Highland Community High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Highland Community High?
Highland Community High has an enrollment of approximately 99 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Community High?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland Community High is 9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highland Community High rank in WI?
Highland Community High is ranked #549 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Highland Community High's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Community High has a composite rating of 7.3 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 High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Community High has 49.5% math proficiency and 39.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highland Community High a charter school?
No, Highland Community High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highland Community High a Title I school?
No, Highland Community High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Community High?
35.4% of students at Highland Community High 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 99
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 35.4%
- 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
- #1 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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