Very Good
#690 of 2,102 schools in WI
Top 33% in state
Highland Community School
Elementary School · Milwaukee School District
1706 W Highland Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53233
Enrollment
414
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
414
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Milwaukee
#12 of 176
public schools
Wisconsin elementary schools
#419 of 1,099
In district
#7 of 154
Milwaukee School District
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Highland Community School
Highland Community School is a charter school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at 1706 W Highland Ave. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 414 students and employs 23 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 18:1. Highland Community School's academic performance is rated at 5.1 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it 1232nd out of 2112 schools in Wisconsin (42nd percentile).
In reading and ELA, 56% of students are proficient or above, while in math, the proficiency rate is 40%. These scores indicate areas where the school has room for improvement but also highlight its commitment to supporting student development. The school's setting within a large city offers diverse opportunities for community engagement and real-world learning experiences.
What Parents Should Know
Highland Community School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Highland Community School — Students at Highland Community School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)
Based on 16 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: 9.6/10.
How Highland Community School Compares
See how Highland Community School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 22% (2019) to 22% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 32% (2021).
Location
1706 W Highland Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53233
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highland Community School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MESSMER ST ROSE CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Brown Street Academy (rated 5.4/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Milwaukee Academy of Chinese Language (rated 5.0/10, 0.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Milwaukee, see our Milwaukee schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 53233 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$20,306
Median Home Value
$132,900
Median Rent
$846/mo
Population
14,412
College Educated
16.7%
Homeownership
3.3%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
62.1%
Median Age
22.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highland Community School has a median household income of $20,306. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $132,900, with a median rent of $846/month. The area has a poverty rate of 62.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Arcadia Elementary Arcadia, WI | 7.1 |
| Badger Elementary Appleton, WI | 7.1 |
| Baird Elementary Green Bay, WI | 7.1 |
| Chappell Elementary Green Bay, WI | 7.1 |
| Edgerton Elementary Hales Corners, WI | 7.1 |
| Gaylord A Nelson Educational Center Clear Lake, WI | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highland Community School
What grades does Highland Community School serve?
Highland Community School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Highland Community School?
Highland Community School has an enrollment of approximately 414 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Community School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland Community School is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highland Community School rank in WI?
Highland Community School is ranked #690 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Highland Community School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Community School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Community School has 40.1% math proficiency and 56.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highland Community School a charter school?
Yes, Highland Community School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Highland Community School a Title I school?
No, Highland Community School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Community School?
43.5% of students at Highland Community School 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
- Walk Score
- 75 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 59 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 74 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,164/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Milwaukee). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 414
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 43.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Milwaukee County
- Phone
- (414) 342-1412
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Milwaukee School District- District Enrollment
- 66,864
- Schools in District
- 156
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,815
- District Rank
- #7 of 154
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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