Skip to main content

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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+4.88 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics8.7Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.5%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected+9.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
College Readiness3.6Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation8.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,006

Highland Community High — Students at Highland Community High score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 49.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 39.8%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 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
49.5%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.3/10
74th percentile in WI
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
8.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (155/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Highland School District
District Enrollment
268
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,712
District Rank
#1 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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.