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#1354 of 2,102 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

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Highland

#3 of 3

public schools

Wisconsin middle schools

#340 of 387

In district

#3 of 3

Highland School District

About Highland Community Middle

Highland Community Middle, located in Highland, Wisconsin, serves students from sixth to eighth grade. With a total enrollment of just 55 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1, the school provides a personalized learning environment with four full-time equivalent teachers. Situated in a remote rural area, Highland Community Middle offers a close-knit community where each student is known personally.

The MySchoolScout rating for the school is 4.3 out of 10, placing it at the 30th percentile among Wisconsin schools. In terms of academic performance, 39% of students are proficient in ELA/reading and 34% are proficient in math. While these scores indicate room for improvement, they highlight areas where focused efforts can yield positive growth.

Highland Community Middle benefits from its rural setting, offering a supportive community atmosphere that encourages individual student development and engagement.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 55 students, Highland Community Middle 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.

Located in a rural area, Highland Community Middle 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 Progress6.7Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.55 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.9Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Math vs. State Avg-20.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-25.8 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected-7.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
Resources & Environment6.2Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,006

Highland Community Middle — Students at Highland Community Middle score 30% 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

40%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 34.3%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 39.0%
School
State
52.9%

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
17%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
27%
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: 6.7/10.

How Highland Community Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
36th percentile in WI
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
6.7/10
Above average
Environment
6.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

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

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. Riverdale Junior High (rated 7.3/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Muscoda), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fennimore Middle (rated 7.3/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Fennimore), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dodgeville Middle (rated 7.0/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Dodgeville), 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 Elementary Highland 0.0 mi 6.3
Highland Community High Highland 0.0 mi 7.3
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 Middle 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
Accelerated Advanced Learning Program Oshkosh, WI 5.9
Wonewoc-Center Junior High Wonewoc, WI 5.9
One City Preparatory Academy Madison, WI 6.0
School of Technology and Arts II La Crosse, WI 5.7
Drummond Junior High Drummond, WI 6.2
Athens Middle Athens, WI 6.3

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 is ranked #1354 out of 2,102 schools in WI.

What is Highland Community Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Community Middle has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Community Middle has 34.3% math proficiency and 39.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

County Safety
Low (155/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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