Highlands Elementary

Summary:

Highlands Elementary is a public elementary school in San Mateo, California, serving 385 students in grades K-5. It is part of the San Mateo-Foster City School District, which is ranked 452 out of 1,568 districts in the state.

Highlands Elementary consistently outperforms the district and state in standardized test scores, with 57.71% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts/Literacy and 53.98% in Mathematics, compared to 55.03% and 50.65% for the district, and 47.04% and 35.54% for the state, respectively. However, the school struggles with achievement gaps, particularly for Hispanic and English Language Learner students, who rank in the bottom 40-50% of California elementary schools. Additionally, Highlands has seen a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 3.2% in 2017-2018 to 15.7% in 2022-2023, higher than the district and state averages.

While Highlands Elementary outperforms other schools in the San Mateo-Foster City district, such as Laurel Elementary and San Mateo Park Elementary, it lags behind the high-performing schools in the neighboring Hillsborough City Elementary district, such as South Hillsborough, North Hillsborough, and West Hillsborough, which consistently rank among the top 5% of California elementary schools.


Detail:

Public K-5

 2320 Newport St.
       San Mateo, CA  94402-3838


(650) 312-7544

District: San Mateo-Foster City

SchoolDigger Rank:
1518th of 5,862 California Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $7,061 Help


Students who attend Highlands Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Borel Middle

Student/teacher ratio:  21.3 Help
Number of students:  385

Racial breakdown:

Asian:
28.8%
Hispanic:
28.8%
White:
26.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  19.2% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Highlands Elementary ranks better than 74.1% of elementary schools in California. It also ranks 9th among 17 ranked elementary schools in the San Mateo-Foster City School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 71.56. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Highlands Elementary is diverse. Racial makeup is: Asian (28.8%), Hispanic (28.8%), White (26.5%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 19.2% 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 is 21.3. 10 elementary schools in the San Mateo-Foster City School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Highlands Elementary employs 18 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Highlands Elementary is $7,061. 14 elementary schools in the San Mateo-Foster City School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Highlands Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Highlands Elementary 1518th of 5862 California public elementary schools. (See Highlands Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Asian students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


San Mateo-Foster City:

SchoolDigger ranks San Mateo-Foster City 452nd of 1568 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Highlands Elementary.

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Rank History for Highlands Elementary

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Rank History for all students at Highlands Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 90.40 491st 4809 89.8%
2005 93.47 296th 4822 93.9%
2006 91.46 411th 4818 91.5%
2007 88.16 615th 5113 88.0%
2008 77.93 1065th 5113 79.2%
2009 72.76 1312th 5193 74.7%
2010 70.45 1436th 5314 73.0%
2011 71.06 1447th 5377 73.1%
2012 68.92 1585th 5390 70.6%
2013 66.63 1740th 5530 68.5%
2015 88.13 720th 5611 87.2%
2016 87.14 792nd 5614 85.9%
2017 88.53 727th 5692 87.2%
2018 82.62 999th 5662 82.4%
2019 80.40 1153rd 5789 80.1%
2021 77.91 296th 1417 79.1%
2022 82.01 1098th 5883 81.3%
2023 80.48 1153rd 5874 80.4%
2024 71.56 1518th 5862 74.1%
See the entire list of California Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Highlands Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 54.39 188th 339 44.5%
2019 75.32 97th 445 78.2%
2022 68.77 202nd 610 66.9%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Highlands Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 44.73 1521st 3246 53.1%
2019 51.03 1195th 3275 63.5%
2021 34.29 412th 602 31.6%
2022 46.87 1374th 3311 58.5%
2023 35.40 2126th 3250 34.6%
2024 31.29 2472nd 3160 21.8%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Highlands Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 32.28 3599th 5084 29.2%
2019 28.32 4004th 5173 22.6%
2021 34.89 734th 1110 33.9%
2022 27.50 4040th 5264 23.3%
2023 15.10 5034th 5374 6.3%
2024 39.51 3172nd 5511 42.4%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Highlands Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 77.94 1135th 5413 79.0%
2019 79.24 1117th 5492 79.7%
2021 74.68 293rd 1267 76.9%
2022 81.08 1060th 5635 81.2%
2023 73.25 1358th 5617 75.8%
2024 71.82 1412th 5605 74.8%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Highlands Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 84.20 871st 5431 84.0%
2019 79.02 1128th 5510 79.5%
2021 77.45 273rd 1272 78.5%
2022 79.57 1122nd 5663 80.2%
2023 82.53 991st 5650 82.5%
2024 66.98 1658th 5636 70.6%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Highlands Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 69.88 364th 1071 66.0%
2019 72.19 319th 1149 72.2%
2022 58.55 619th 1154 46.4%
2023 66.74 481st 1190 59.6%
2024 53.69 706th 1203 41.3%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Highlands Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 42.08 2730th 4830 43.5%
2019 40.33 2940th 4963 40.8%
2022 35.84 3232nd 5084 36.4%
2023 30.06 3701st 5098 27.4%
2024 29.26 3787th 5102 25.8%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Highlands Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 76.31 585th 2737 78.6%
2019 67.27 930th 2834 67.2%
2022 84.79 276th 2726 89.9%
2023 85.97 222nd 2662 91.7%
2024 77.36 527th 2647 80.1%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: California 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 Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: California Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 2)
0%

0%

0%

100%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Friday, February 5, 2016

Open Quote Highlands lives off the reputation as historically being one of the better schools in the San Mateo / Foster City district. In my experience; however, I'd say it's a school in decline. Highlands has a basic California-wide standard approach to teaching, one that would work in non-tech cities like Fresno or Modesto. Because of its location, a large number of its kids come from silicon valley families and have higher expectations for learning than just a standard California education. Unfortunately this school does not adequately cater its teaching to meet the needs of this large demographic as the elite schools in the mid peninsula do (Fox, Baywood, etc). The typical classroom at highlands consists of 2 large groups of kids with different skill sets. One group is of advanced learners and the other is of those who perform "below basic standards". There really aren't many kids who have skills in the middle. The school's main principal to teaching is to "ensure all students learn the essential set of skills needed for basic life" and that "no kid is left behind". In each class, all kids are taught the same level of math. Given the class's wide disparity in aptitude levels, this means that math is taught at a lower level and at a slower pace (one thats catered for the slower learners). Advanced kids are not challenged in class and their potential is not realized. Many of the advanced learners, (especially the boys), tend to become distractions in class, tune out of the lessons, or have low self esteem because they 'can't focus'. This is all due to their lack of stimulation to the unchallenging curricula being taught them. I'll also mention that there's a significant bullying issue in the school (especially at the 3rd - 5th grade levels). The teachers and administration have never directly addressed it and, in many times, choose to ignore it. My kid has witnessed this many times first hand and I have friends who pulled their kids out of Highlands and into private institutions to get them away from the relentless bullying that they were experiencing. The school is pretty run down (50-60 yrs old) and is above its initial capacity. The capacity issue isn't from local kids, but from the kids bussed in from a lower-income north of downtown neighborhood. To handle this there are 2 'temp structures' that have been used for years as 'permanent' classrooms. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Highlands Elementary

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 203 8 98 23 1 n/a n/a 0 333
1989 196 6 88 35 0 n/a n/a 0 325
1990 193 9 87 36 0 n/a n/a 0 325
1991 215 12 98 61 0 n/a n/a 0 386
1992 212 11 105 76 1 n/a n/a 0 405
1993 220 20 108 87 1 n/a n/a 0 436
1994 227 15 119 86 1 n/a n/a 0 448
1995 267 16 141 60 0 n/a n/a 0 484
1996 267 16 141 60 0 n/a n/a 0 484
1997 269 12 130 61 0 n/a n/a 0 472
1998 284 9 117 58 2 n/a n/a 0 470
1999 304 6 111 50 1 n/a n/a 0 472
2000 274 4 121 61 0 n/a n/a 0 460
2001 242 12 107 75 0 n/a n/a 8 444
2002 215 16 109 60 0 n/a n/a 22 422
2003 215 16 109 60 0 n/a n/a 22 422
2004 210 15 105 56 0 n/a n/a 15 401
2005 206 11 113 61 0 n/a n/a 17 408
2006 185 9 115 76 0 n/a n/a 24 409
2007 184 7 115 71 0 n/a n/a 23 400
2008 177 8 108 70 n/a n/a n/a 0 363
2009 185 8 116 91 0 6 45 0 451
2010 205 8 135 130 0 3 34 0 515
2011 226 11 130 131 0 4 47 0 549
2012 230 5 134 141 0 9 58 0 577
2013 247 7 124 145 0 8 62 0 593
2014 240 10 125 167 1 6 57 0 606
2015 234 10 124 165 0 1 72 0 606
2016 223 8 118 176 0 0 69 0 594
2017 221 9 124 158 0 0 73 0 585
2018 216 5 115 146 0 0 72 0 554
2019 186 6 116 151 0 0 68 0 527
2020 179 0 126 148 0 1 71 0 525
2021 152 0 126 140 0 1 68 1 488
2022 127 0 114 121 0 1 67 0 430
2023 102 0 111 111 0 1 60 0 385

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

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 333 13.5 24.6 n/a
1989 325 12.5 26.0 n/a
1990 325 13.5 24.0 n/a
1991 386 15.5 24.9 n/a
1992 405 15.8 25.6 22.7
1993 436 18.4 23.7 21.1
1994 448 19.4 23.1 18.8
1995 484 20.5 23.6 14.7
1996 484 20.5 23.6 14.7
1997 472 22.5 21.0 13.1
1998 470 23.5 20.0 13.6
1999 472 24.0 19.7 13.6
2000 460 23.3 19.7 12.8
2001 444 22.3 19.9 14.2
2002 422 22.5 18.8 19
2003 422 22.5 18.8 19
2004 401 20.5 19.6 17.1
2005 408 20.5 19.9 13.6
2006 409 21.5 19.0 17.1
2007 400 20.0 20.0 15.9
2008 363 22.0 16.5 16.3
2009 451 22.5 18.4 21.3
2010 515 25.5 20.2 20.2
2011 549 n/a n/a 19.7
2012 577 23.1 24.9 n/a
2013 593 25.0 23.7 20.1
2014 606 24.9 24.3 20.6
2015 606 24.0 25.2 18
2016 594 24.0 24.7 18.2
2017 585 24.0 24.3 18.8
2018 554 22.0 25.1 19
2019 527 20.8 25.3 20.7
2020 525 n/a n/a 16.4
2021 488 20.0 24.4 18
2022 430 20.0 21.5 18.6
2023 385 18.0 21.3 19.2

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

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 333 13.5 24.6 n/a
1989 325 12.5 26.0 n/a
1990 325 13.5 24.0 n/a
1991 386 15.5 24.9 n/a
1992 405 15.8 25.6 22.7
1993 436 18.4 23.7 21.1
1994 448 19.4 23.1 18.8
1995 484 20.5 23.6 14.7
1996 484 20.5 23.6 14.7
1997 472 22.5 21.0 13.1
1998 470 23.5 20.0 13.6
1999 472 24.0 19.7 13.6
2000 460 23.3 19.7 12.8
2001 444 22.3 19.9 14.2
2002 422 22.5 18.8 19
2003 422 22.5 18.8 19
2004 401 20.5 19.6 17.1
2005 408 20.5 19.9 13.6
2006 409 21.5 19.0 17.1
2007 400 20.0 20.0 15.9
2008 363 22.0 16.5 16.3
2009 451 22.5 18.4 21.3
2010 515 25.5 20.2 20.2
2011 549 n/a n/a 19.7
2012 577 23.1 24.9 n/a
2013 593 25.0 23.7 20.1
2014 606 24.9 24.3 20.6
2015 606 24.0 25.2 18
2016 594 24.0 24.7 18.2
2017 585 24.0 24.3 18.8
2018 554 22.0 25.1 19
2019 527 20.8 25.3 20.7
2020 525 n/a n/a 16.4
2021 488 20.0 24.4 18
2022 430 20.0 21.5 18.6
2023 385 18.0 21.3 19.2

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.

Kindergarten Immunization Rates

Highlands Elementary

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Compare
YearCompletely ImmunizedReligious ExemptionMedical ExemptionConditionalPolioHepatitis BVaricellaDTPMMR
201295.0%2.0%0.0%3.0%97.0%97.0%98.0%95.0%97.0%
201395.0%5.0%0.0%0.0%95.0%95.0%95.0%95.0%95.0%
201497.0%3.0%0.0%0.0%97.0%97.0%97.0%97.0%97.0%
201595.0%3.0%0.0%2.0%97.0%95.0%97.0%97.0%97.0%
201699.0%0.0%0.0%1.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%99.0%100.0%
201798.0%0.0%0.0%2.0%≥99.0%98.0%≥99.0%≥99.0%≥99.0%
2018≥98.0%≤2.0%≤2.0%≤2.0%≥98.0%≥98.0%≥98.0%≥98.0%≥98.0%
201996.0%0.0%4.0%≥98.0%≥98.0%≥98.0%96.0%≥98.0%
202096.9%1.0%2.0%
202297.3%0.0%2.7%

Data source: California Department of Public Health
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Highlands Elementary

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2018 $7,061

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Highlands Elementary

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 1153rd of 5789 Elementary schoolsRanks 1153rd of 5874 Elementary schools
 0.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Highlands Elementary)69.260.8
 8.4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (San Mateo-Foster City)57.550.9
 6.6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)48.543
 5.6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Highlands Elementary)72.674.4
 1.7%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (San Mateo-Foster City)63.757.5
 6.2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (California)50.245.1
 5.1%
4th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Highlands Elementary)66.356.1
 10.2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (San Mateo-Foster City)61.853.7
 8.2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)49.543.7
 5.7%
4th Grade Mathematics (Highlands Elementary)56.857.9
 1%
   4th Grade Mathematics (San Mateo-Foster City)6055.3
 4.7%
   4th Grade Mathematics (California)44.940.8
 4.1%
5th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Highlands Elementary)66.358.2
 8%
   5th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (San Mateo-Foster City)62.357
 5.3%
   5th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)51.746.7
 5%
5th Grade Mathematics (Highlands Elementary)49.449.3
 0.1%
   5th Grade Mathematics (San Mateo-Foster City)50.849.3
 1.5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (California)3833.4
 4.6%
5th Grade Science (Highlands Elementary)49.449.3
 0.1%
   5th Grade Science (San Mateo-Foster City)47.145.9
 1.2%
   5th Grade Science (California)31.731.9
 0.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students527385
 26.9%
African American60
 100%
American Indian00
Asian116111
 4.3%
Hispanic151111
 26.5%
Pacific Islander01
White186102
 45.2%
Two or More Races6860
 11.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients20.7%19.2%
 1.5%


Schools Near Highlands Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Highlands Elementary

Students at Highlands Elementary are 29% Asian, 29% Hispanic, 26% White, 16% Two or more races.

Highlands Elementary ranks 1518th of 5862 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 385 students attended Highlands Elementary.

Students who attend Highlands Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Borel Middle


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