Highlands Elementary School

Summary:

Highlands Elementary School is a public elementary school in Huntsville, Alabama, serving 371 students in grades PK-6. The school is part of the Huntsville City School District, which is ranked 83 out of 137 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Highlands Elementary stands out for several key reasons. It has a significantly higher percentage of African American students (78.71%) compared to the surrounding schools, which range from 43.30% to 73.61% African American. Academically, the school consistently ranks in the bottom half of Alabama elementary schools, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger for the past several years. Its proficiency rates in math and English language arts are significantly lower than the Huntsville City and Alabama state averages across all grade levels. Additionally, Highlands Elementary has an exceptionally high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 81.84% to 86.18% over the past three years, much higher than the surrounding schools.

While the nearby schools in the Huntsville City School District also have relatively low academic performance, Highlands Elementary consistently ranks lower than these schools, including Providence Elementary, Lakewood Elementary School, and Rolling Hills Elementary School. This suggests that Highlands Elementary may face unique challenges or require additional support to improve educational outcomes for its students.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

 2500 Barney Terrace NW
       Huntsville, AL  35810


(256) 428-7200

District: Huntsville City

SchoolDigger Rank:
548th of 684 Alabama Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,057 Help


Students who attend Highlands Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Ronald McNair 78
High:    Jemison High School

Student/teacher ratio:  18.7 Help
Number of students:  371

Racial breakdown:

African American:
78.7%
Hispanic:
11.9%
White:
4.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  83.3% Help


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 Compare Highlands Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Highlands Elementary School ranks worse than 80.1% of elementary schools in Alabama. It also ranks 15th among 24 ranked elementary schools in the Huntsville City School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 20.23. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (78.7%), Hispanic (11.9%), White (4.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 83.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary School is 18.7. 18 elementary schools in the Huntsville City School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Highlands Elementary School employs 19.8 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Highlands Elementary School is $10,057, which is the 6th highest among 24 elementary schools in the Huntsville City School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Highlands Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Highlands Elementary School 548th of 684 Alabama public elementary schools. (See Highlands Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:


Huntsville City:

SchoolDigger ranks Huntsville City 83rd of 137 Alabama school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Highlands Elementary School?

Rank History for Highlands Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Highlands Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 44.19 378th 623 39.3%
2005 28.09 565th 688 17.9%
2006 21.19 617th 689 10.4%
2007 11.34 667th 698 4.4%
2008 24.21 612th 698 12.3%
2009 16.26 649th 696 6.8%
2010 16.21 657th 704 6.7%
2011 43.01 491st 709 30.7%
2012 57.74 351st 696 49.6%
2013 50.90 431st 696 38.1%
2014 27.87 534th 695 23.2%
2015 34.36 470th 691 32.0%
2016 21.05 558th 691 19.2%
2017 8.98 652nd 688 5.2%
2018 15.65 583rd 680 14.3%
2019 13.13 612th 681 10.1%
2021 16.04 587th 692 15.2%
2022 17.44 566th 687 17.6%
2023 17.21 554th 680 18.5%
2024 20.23 548th 684 19.9%
See the entire list of Alabama Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Highlands Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 17.76 312th 344 9.3%
2024 9.34 392nd 395 0.8%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Highlands Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 12.76 522nd 567 7.9%
2018 21.06 551st 651 15.4%
2019 20.17 559th 649 13.9%
2021 22.16 524th 653 19.8%
2022 24.89 509th 651 21.8%
2023 28.18 471st 623 24.4%
2024 26.62 513th 670 23.4%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Highlands Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 13.69 578th 639 9.5%
2018 22.95 517th 640 19.2%
2019 18.45 546th 646 15.5%
2021 20.58 523rd 656 20.3%
2022 17.86 545th 656 16.9%
2023 21.46 516th 645 20.0%
2024 18.19 546th 650 16.0%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Highlands Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 8.04 615th 639 3.8%
2018 14.14 580th 650 10.8%
2019 9.61 617th 650 5.1%
2021 12.90 601st 669 10.2%
2022 18.36 545th 669 18.5%
2023 16.27 544th 649 16.2%
2024 23.88 508th 655 22.4%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Highlands Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools AL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 31.60 315th 423 25.5%
2019 31.03 322nd 426 24.4%
2021 26.70 323rd 426 24.2%
2022 30.49 303rd 426 28.9%
2023 35.24 277th 427 35.1%
2024 32.67 297th 420 29.3%
See the entire list of Best Alabama Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Data source: test scores: Alabama State Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Highlands Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Alabama State Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
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Enrollment information for Highlands Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 473 473
1989 198 263 4 5 0 n/a n/a 0 470
1990 220 315 4 6 0 n/a n/a 0 545
1991 206 308 9 6 0 n/a n/a 0 529
1992 204 321 8 3 0 n/a n/a 0 536
1993 195 342 10 9 0 n/a n/a 0 556
1994 178 377 8 11 0 n/a n/a 0 574
1995 156 419 12 10 1 n/a n/a 0 598
1996 156 419 12 10 1 n/a n/a 0 598
1997 145 414 8 8 1 n/a n/a 0 576
1998 124 445 6 12 1 n/a n/a 0 588
1999 99 431 3 5 2 n/a n/a 0 540
2000 93 452 6 7 1 n/a n/a 0 559
2001 71 465 9 7 1 n/a n/a 0 553
2002 41 505 8 7 0 n/a n/a 0 561
2003 41 505 8 7 0 n/a n/a 0 561
2004 26 490 5 4 1 n/a n/a 0 526
2005 25 478 7 5 1 n/a n/a 0 516
2006 12 482 0 10 1 n/a n/a 0 505
2007 14 491 1 14 1 n/a n/a 1 522
2008 23 487 3 14 4 n/a n/a 0 531
2009 13 472 3 11 3 n/a n/a 0 502
2010 10 471 1 12 2 n/a n/a 1 497
2011 10 448 5 12 1 0 0 0 476
2012 9 436 3 6 2 0 5 0 461
2013 7 426 2 13 0 1 16 0 465
2014 12 391 2 13 0 0 22 0 440
2015 18 364 3 22 0 0 26 0 433
2016 32 419 4 28 2 0 24 0 509
2017 28 364 1 31 0 0 23 0 447
2018 30 365 2 34 1 2 28 0 462
2019 20 361 2 50 2 1 26 0 462
2020 20 337 4 58 0 1 30 0 450
2021 29 307 3 48 2 1 23 0 413
2022 28 341 4 48 2 1 3 0 427
2023 16 292 5 44 0 0 14 0 371

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Highlands Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 473 23.0 20.5 0
1989 470 28.0 16.7 n/a
1990 545 31.0 17.5 0
1991 529 30.0 17.6 n/a
1992 536 30.0 17.8 n/a
1993 556 30.5 18.2 n/a
1994 574 34.0 16.9 n/a
1995 598 35.6 16.8 n/a
1996 598 35.6 16.8 n/a
1997 576 35.8 16.1 53.1
1998 588 38.1 15.4 56.8
1999 540 39.0 13.8 65.6
2000 559 39.0 14.3 70.7
2001 553 37.0 14.9 70.2
2002 561 35.6 15.8 80.4
2003 561 35.6 15.8 80.4
2004 526 35.6 14.8 82.3
2005 516 34.0 15.2 83.5
2006 505 31.0 16.3 75
2007 522 30.6 17.1 85
2008 531 34.0 15.6 77.4
2009 502 33.7 14.8 86.7
2010 497 35.2 14.1 82.5
2011 476 30.7 15.5 85.3
2012 461 29.9 15.4 85.2
2013 465 34.6 13.4 84.7
2014 440 29.7 14.8 82.5
2015 433 30.0 14.4 59.8
2016 509 31.0 16.4 56.4
2017 447 28.9 15.4 61.1
2018 462 28.9 15.9 82.9
2019 462 25.8 17.9 80.5
2020 450 28.5 15.7 83.3
2021 413 29.4 14.0 81.8
2022 427 23.6 18.0 86.2
2023 371 19.8 18.7 83.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Highlands Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 473 23.0 20.5 0
1989 470 28.0 16.7 n/a
1990 545 31.0 17.5 0
1991 529 30.0 17.6 n/a
1992 536 30.0 17.8 n/a
1993 556 30.5 18.2 n/a
1994 574 34.0 16.9 n/a
1995 598 35.6 16.8 n/a
1996 598 35.6 16.8 n/a
1997 576 35.8 16.1 53.1
1998 588 38.1 15.4 56.8
1999 540 39.0 13.8 65.6
2000 559 39.0 14.3 70.7
2001 553 37.0 14.9 70.2
2002 561 35.6 15.8 80.4
2003 561 35.6 15.8 80.4
2004 526 35.6 14.8 82.3
2005 516 34.0 15.2 83.5
2006 505 31.0 16.3 75
2007 522 30.6 17.1 85
2008 531 34.0 15.6 77.4
2009 502 33.7 14.8 86.7
2010 497 35.2 14.1 82.5
2011 476 30.7 15.5 85.3
2012 461 29.9 15.4 85.2
2013 465 34.6 13.4 84.7
2014 440 29.7 14.8 82.5
2015 433 30.0 14.4 59.8
2016 509 31.0 16.4 56.4
2017 447 28.9 15.4 61.1
2018 462 28.9 15.9 82.9
2019 462 25.8 17.9 80.5
2020 450 28.5 15.7 83.3
2021 413 29.4 14.0 81.8
2022 427 23.6 18.0 86.2
2023 371 19.8 18.7 83.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Highlands Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $2,041 (20.3%) $8,016 (79.7%) $10,057

Data source: Alabama Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Highlands Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 612th of 681 Elementary schoolsRanks 554th of 680 Elementary schools
 8.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Highlands Elementary School)44.414.9
 29.6%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Huntsville City)53.933.4
 20.5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Alabama)57.543.6
 13.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Highlands Elementary School)22.210.7
 11.5%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Huntsville City)44.729.8
 14.9%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)47.334.9
 12.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Highlands Elementary School)17.74.3
 13.5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Huntsville City)4428.2
 15.8%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)44.933.9
 10.9%
6th Grade Mathematics (Highlands Elementary School)14.96.7
 8.2%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Huntsville City)40.126.7
 13.4%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Alabama)45.330.8
 14.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students462371
 19.7%
African American361292
 19.1%
American Indian20
 100%
Asian25
 150%
Hispanic5044
 12%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White2016
 20%
Two or More Races2614
 46.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients80.5%83.3%
 2.8%


Schools Near Highlands Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Highlands Elementary School

Students at Highlands Elementary School are 79% African American, 12% Hispanic, 4% White, 4% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

Students who attend Highlands Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Ronald McNair 78
High : Jemison High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 371 students attended Highlands Elementary School.

Highlands Elementary School ranks in the bottom 19.9% of Alabama elementary schools.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Alabama State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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