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Average

#1283 of 2,105 schools in WI

Highland Community Middle

Middle School · Highland School District

1030 Cardinal Dr, Highland, WI 53543

Enrollment

55

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

5.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#1,283 of 2,105

In Highland

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

Highland School District

School environment

7.7 / 10

Very Good

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Highland Community Middle

5.9/10

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

Highland Community Elementary

6.1/10

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

Highland Community High

5.8/10

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

About Highland Community Middle

Highland Community Middle is a public middle school in Highland, WI, part of Highland School District. Highland Community Middle serves approximately 55 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland Community Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,283 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Highland Community Middle show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts below WI schools
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • WI avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

At 55 students, Highland Community Middle is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Highland Community Middle sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.08 pts/yr
Data Period2010–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30.9% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency50.3% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg-21.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.5 pts
Overall Proficiency41% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected-7.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,712

Highland Community Middle — Students at Highland Community Middle score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 44.5% (multi-year average, 2010-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 42.6% (multi-year average, 2010-2025)
School
State
52.9% (2025 FORWARD)

Based on 32 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2010
Math
84.5%
ELA
95%
2011
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
32%
2014
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
42.8%
ELA
29%
2025
Math
30.9%
ELA
50.3%

* 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: 5.4/10.

How Highland Community Middle Compares

See how Highland Community Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
39th percentile in WI
Academic
5.2/10
Average
Growth
5.4/10
Average
Environment
7.7/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

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

1030 Cardinal Dr, Highland, WI 53543

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland Community Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Fennimore Middle (rated 8.8/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Fennimore), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mineral Point Middle (rated 8.0/10, 15.9 miles away, in nearby Mineral Point), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Riverdale Junior High (rated 6.8/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Muscoda), which scores slightly higher. 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 6.1
Highland Community High Highland 0.0 mi 5.8
Iowa-Grant Elementary/Middle Livingston 8.4 mi 8.3
Iowa-Grant High Livingston 8.5 mi 4.7
Riverdale Elementary Muscoda 10.2 mi 8.6
Riverdale Academy Muscoda 10.2 mi
Riverdale Junior High Muscoda 10.2 mi 6.8
Riverdale High Muscoda 10.2 mi 4.7
MUSCODA CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Muscoda 9.9 mi 4.4
Dodgeville Middle Dodgeville 13.0 mi 6.6
Dodgeville High Dodgeville 13.3 mi 5.8
Dodgeville Elementary Dodgeville 13.3 mi 8.4
EAGLE SCHOOLS Richland Center 18.0 mi 8.0
Mineral Point High Mineral Point 15.9 mi 7.4
Mineral Point Middle Mineral Point 15.9 mi 8.0
Richland Center Intermediate School Richland Center 18.3 mi 5.6
Richland Center Primary School Richland Center 18.3 mi 3.6
Mineral Point Elementary Mineral Point 16.6 mi 8.8
Fennimore High Fennimore 14.5 mi 5.7
Fennimore Middle Fennimore 14.5 mi 8.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Drummond Junior High Drummond, WI 5.9
School of Technology and Arts II La Crosse, WI 5.8
Shullsburg Junior High Shullsburg, WI 5.8
Athens Middle Athens, WI 6.1
One City Preparatory Academy Madison, WI 5.7
Ithaca Middle Richland Center, WI 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland Community Middle

What grades does Highland Community Middle serve?

Highland Community Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Highland Community Middle?

Highland Community Middle has an enrollment of approximately 55 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Community Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Highland Community Middle is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highland Community Middle rank in WI?

Highland Community Middle ranks #1,283 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Highland Community Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Community Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 Highland Community Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Community Middle has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).

Is Highland Community Middle a charter school?

No, Highland Community Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Highland Community Middle a Title I school?

No, Highland Community Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Community Middle?

40.0% of students at Highland Community Middle 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

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
55
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Iowa County

District

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

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