Highland City Elementary School

Q: Is Highland City Elementary School a good school?

Highland City Elementary School ranks 886 th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Highland City Elementary School is a public elementary school serving 425 students in grades PK-5 in Highland City, Florida, which is part of the Polk School District. This school consistently outperforms the district and state averages in standardized test scores, with 70% of 3rd graders proficient or better in ELA and 73% proficient in math, compared to 49% and 52% in the Polk district, respectively.

While Highland City Elementary has a higher chronic absenteeism rate compared to the state average, it stands out as a relatively diverse school, with a higher percentage of Hispanic and Asian students than nearby schools. However, the school also has a relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 48.24% to 56.95% over the past few years, indicating a higher proportion of economically disadvantaged students. Nearby public charter schools like Magnolia Montessori Academy and South McKeel Academy have significantly higher test scores, but they also serve a more affluent student population.

Highland City Elementary spends more per student ($12,217 in 2022-2023) compared to the state average, which may contribute to its relatively strong academic performance. However, the school's high chronic absenteeism rate suggests that additional resources may be needed to address non-academic barriers to student success. The school's diverse student population is a positive aspect, but it should ensure that all students, regardless of their background, have equal access to educational opportunities and support, especially for the high percentage of economically disadvantaged students.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

5355 9th Street SE
Highland City, FL 33846

(863) 648-3540

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
886^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $12,217

Students who attend Highland City Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Bartow Middle School
High:	Bartow Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio: 14.8

Number of students: 415

Racial breakdown:

White:

50.1%

Hispanic:

30.4%

African American:

11.3%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 62.7%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Highland City Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Highland City Elementary School ranks better than 60.7% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 21^st among 85 ranked elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 58.84. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a 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

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (50.1%), Hispanic (30.4%), African American (11.3%). (See more...)

Compare Details 62.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Highland City Elementary School is 14.8, which is the 21^st best among 85 elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Highland City Elementary School employs 28 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Highland City Elementary School is $12,217, which is the 7^th highest among 85 elementary schools in the Polk School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Highland City Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Polk:

SchoolDigger ranks Polk 57^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Highland City Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	46.79	926^th	1688	45.1%
2007	42.61	1086^th	1786	39.2%
2008	47.05	1000^th	1789	44.1%
2009	53.93	902^nd	1847	51.2%
2010	46.47	1107^th	1919	42.3%
2011	46.90	1124^th	1985	43.4%
2012	42.09	1178^th	1984	40.6%
2013	35.86	1334^th	2029	34.3%
2014	24.43	1638^th	2064	20.6%
2016	56.22	910^th	2087	56.4%
2017	47.23	1120^th	2112	47.0%
2018	51.45	1016^th	2118	52.0%
2019	53.52	1000^th	2182	54.2%
2021	46.37	1173^rd	2247	47.8%
2022	52.29	1011^th	2219	54.4%
2023	42.08	1285^th	2240	42.6%
2024	58.84	886^th	2256	60.7%

See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

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

Data source: Florida Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Highland City Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	431	28	9	6	5	n/a	n/a	0	479
1989	501	25	9	13	6	n/a	n/a	0	554
1990	534	34	9	15	9	n/a	n/a	0	601
1991	586	32	6	16	7	n/a	n/a	0	647
1992	494	48	4	18	7	n/a	n/a	0	571
1993	439	50	12	25	5	n/a	n/a	0	531
1994	336	85	9	22	1	n/a	n/a	0	453
1995	370	75	7	24	4	n/a	n/a	0	480
1996	370	75	7	24	4	n/a	n/a	0	480
1997	356	59	7	30	5	n/a	n/a	0	457
1998	344	67	6	36	4	n/a	n/a	0	457
1999	345	73	3	34	2	n/a	n/a	0	457
2000	355	60	2	37	2	n/a	n/a	0	456
2001	359	74	2	47	2	n/a	n/a	0	484
2002	336	62	5	24	0	n/a	n/a	0	427
2003	336	62	5	24	0	n/a	n/a	0	427
2004	348	66	6	41	2	n/a	n/a	0	463
2005	352	57	5	40	1	n/a	n/a	0	455
2006	367	76	9	59	1	n/a	n/a	0	512
2007	403	96	11	98	1	n/a	n/a	19	628
2008	410	90	10	99	0	n/a	n/a	19	628
2009	408	83	10	100	0	n/a	n/a	15	616
2010	330	39	9	92	0	n/a	n/a	17	487
2011	313	38	7	108	2	1	11	0	480
2012	296	33	10	95	2	1	10	0	447
2013	281	38	11	84	0	1	12	0	427
2014	263	43	11	89	0	0	14	0	420
2015	258	51	10	91	0	0	18	0	428
2016	260	54	11	96	0	0	19	0	440
2017	260	53	9	98	0	0	18	0	438
2018	258	57	11	88	1	0	15	0	430
2019	260	51	9	90	1	0	15	0	426
2020	238	52	13	117	2	0	18	0	440
2021	204	54	11	124	2	0	22	0	417
2022	222	48	10	133	2	0	31	0	446
2023	213	42	11	127	2	0	30	0	425
2024	208	47	5	126	2	0	27	0	415

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 Highland City Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	479	25.0	19.1	26.3
1989	554	29.0	19.1	24.5
1990	601	31.0	19.3	0
1991	647	32.0	20.2	26.7
1992	571	28.0	20.3	30.1
1993	531	25.0	21.2	31.3
1994	453	24.0	18.9	38
1995	480	21.0	22.9	42.3
1996	480	21.0	22.9	42.3
1997	457	23.0	19.9	39.6
1998	457	23.0	19.9	42
1999	457	25.0	18.3	53.6
2000	456	27.0	16.9	55.3
2001	484	28.0	17.3	57.9
2002	427	29.0	14.7	61.1
2003	427	29.0	14.7	61.1
2004	463	33.0	14.0	61.6
2005	455	36.0	12.6	52.1
2006	512	36.0	14.2	58.4
2007	628	43.0	14.6	56
2008	628	45.0	14.0	51.6
2009	616	54.0	13.4	50.1
2010	487	38.0	12.8	58.7
2011	480	36.0	13.3	58.5
2012	447	34.0	13.1	62
2013	427	33.0	12.9	58.3
2014	420	31.0	13.5	63.8
2015	428	31.0	13.8	59.6
2016	440	30.0	14.6	49.8
2017	438	30.0	14.6	52.3
2018	430	32.0	13.4	50.9
2019	426	32.0	13.3	48.6
2020	440	31.0	14.1	45.5
2021	417	33.0	12.6	50.1
2022	446	33.0	13.5	57
2023	425	31.0	13.7	48.2
2024	415	28.0	14.8	62.7

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 Highland City Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	479	25.0	19.1	26.3
1989	554	29.0	19.1	24.5
1990	601	31.0	19.3	0
1991	647	32.0	20.2	26.7
1992	571	28.0	20.3	30.1
1993	531	25.0	21.2	31.3
1994	453	24.0	18.9	38
1995	480	21.0	22.9	42.3
1996	480	21.0	22.9	42.3
1997	457	23.0	19.9	39.6
1998	457	23.0	19.9	42
1999	457	25.0	18.3	53.6
2000	456	27.0	16.9	55.3
2001	484	28.0	17.3	57.9
2002	427	29.0	14.7	61.1
2003	427	29.0	14.7	61.1
2004	463	33.0	14.0	61.6
2005	455	36.0	12.6	52.1
2006	512	36.0	14.2	58.4
2007	628	43.0	14.6	56
2008	628	45.0	14.0	51.6
2009	616	54.0	13.4	50.1
2010	487	38.0	12.8	58.7
2011	480	36.0	13.3	58.5
2012	447	34.0	13.1	62
2013	427	33.0	12.9	58.3
2014	420	31.0	13.5	63.8
2015	428	31.0	13.8	59.6
2016	440	30.0	14.6	49.8
2017	438	30.0	14.6	52.3
2018	430	32.0	13.4	50.9
2019	426	32.0	13.3	48.6
2020	440	31.0	14.1	45.5
2021	417	33.0	12.6	50.1
2022	446	33.0	13.5	57
2023	425	31.0	13.7	48.2
2024	415	28.0	14.8	62.7

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 Highland City Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$654 (6.6%)	$9,223 (93.4%)	$9,877
2019	$1,023 (10.1%)	$9,077 (89.9%)	$10,099
2020	$996 (9.8%)	$9,186 (90.2%)	$10,182
2021	$1,171 (10.5%)	$9,972 (89.5%)	$11,144
2022	$2,657 (22.0%)	$9,445 (78.0%)	$12,103
2023	$1,734 (14.2%)	$10,483 (85.8%)	$12,217

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Highland City 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 1000^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1285^th of 2240 Elementary schools	11.5%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Highland City Elementary School)	61	54	7%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	52	48	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Highland City Elementary School)	69	66	3%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	51	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Highland City Elementary School)	54	34	20%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	46	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Highland City Elementary School)	61	40	21%
4th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	50	6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Highland City Elementary School)	44	53	9%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	47	44	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Highland City Elementary School)	57	68	11%
5th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	51	40	11%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Highland City Elementary School)	62	40	22%
5th Grade Science (Polk)	45	39	6%
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	51	2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	426	425	0.2%
African American	51	42	17.6%
American Indian	1	2	100%
Asian	9	11	22.2%
Hispanic	90	127	41.1%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	260	213	18.1%
Two or More Races	15	30	100%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	48.6%	48.2%	0.4%

Schools Near Highland City Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)				FAST Math (2024)				Statewide Science Science (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Highland City Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5355 9th Street SE	Highland City	33846	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3540	415	28	14.8	62.7%	208 (50.1%)	47 (11.3%)	126 (30.4%)	5 (1.2%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (6.5%)	58.8	886^th of 2256 public elementary schools	60.7%		42.1	1285^th of 2240 public elementary schools	42.6%	399	70.0	54.0	48.0		73.0	44.0	63.0		60.0	$12,217	$1,734	$10,483
Spessard L Holland Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2342 Ef Griffin Rd	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3031	769	48	16.0	61.9%	311 (40.4%)	191 (24.8%)	222 (28.9%)	17 (2.2%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	26 (3.4%)	40.6	1328^th of 2256 public elementary schools	41.1%		36.4	1432^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	36.1%	104	54.0	46.0	50.0		42.0	47.0	59.0		49.0	$10,173	$1,627	$8,547
Valleyview Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2900 State Rd 540a E	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 648-3535	817	52	15.7	38.9%	446 (54.6%)	115 (14.1%)	177 (21.7%)	58 (7.1%)	4 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (2.1%)	84.4	313^th of 2256 public elementary schools	86.1%		83.2	334^th of 2240 public elementary schools	85.1%	21	70.0	71.0	73.0		76.0	76.0	74.0		66.0	$9,589	$1,090	$8,499
Highlands Grove Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4510 Lakeland Highlands Rd	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3002	712	45	15.8	46.9%	376 (52.8%)	90 (12.6%)	192 (27.0%)	26 (3.7%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (3.7%)	72.9	576^th of 2256 public elementary schools	74.5%		82.2	361^st of 2240 public elementary schools	83.9%	215	67.0	53.0	59.0		73.0	57.0	82.0		74.0	$10,707	$1,431	$9,277
Oscar J. Pope Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2730 Maine Ave	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2992	378	25	15.1	80.4%	93 (24.6%)	62 (16.4%)	211 (55.8%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	10 (2.6%)	54.2	988^th of 2256 public elementary schools	56.2%		31.5	1565^th of 2240 public elementary schools	30.1%	577	47.0	48.0	64.0		64.0	55.0	64.0		56.0	$15,455	$3,339	$12,117
South McKeel Academy	Public, Charter	PK, KG-6	2222 Edgewood Dr S	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 510-0044	1,199	65	18.4	48.8%	718 (59.9%)	107 (8.9%)	245 (20.4%)	70 (5.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	58 (4.8%)	89.6	190^th of 2256 public elementary schools	91.6%		89.5	179^th of 2240 public elementary schools	92.0%	11	86.0	73.0	73.0	80.0	83.0	84.0	72.0	88.0	72.0	$10,515	$1,785	$8,731
Scott Lake Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1140 County Road 540a E	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3520	777	49	15.8	51.1%	429 (55.2%)	91 (11.7%)	200 (25.7%)	26 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (4.0%)	68.5	676^th of 2256 public elementary schools	70.0%		62.6	782^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	65.1%	106	65.0	59.0	58.0		76.0	66.0	59.0		55.0	$10,771	$1,706	$9,066
Mi Escuela Montessori	Public, Charter	PK, KG-6	2130 E. Edgewood Drive	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 934-2780	239	20	11.7	48.1%	89 (37.2%)	8 (3.3%)	127 (53.1%)	7 (2.9%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.9%)	32.8	1540^th of 2256 public elementary schools	31.7%		31.1	1582^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	29.4%	42	34.0	61.0	47.0	71.0	15.0	30.0	37.0	64.0	53.0	$10,756	$2,208	$8,549
James E. Stephens Academy	Public	PK, KG-5	1350 Maple Ave N	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 534-7455	328	27	12.1	81.4%	59 (18.0%)	145 (44.2%)	106 (32.3%)	4 (1.2%)	2 (0.6%)	1 (0.3%)	11 (3.4%)	41.2	1309^th of 2256 public elementary schools	42.0%		12.3	2099^th of 2240 public elementary schools	6.3%	790	54.0	22.0	36.0		69.0	59.0	32.0		50.0	$15,850	$3,745	$12,106
Carlton Palmore Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3725 Clevelnd Hts Blvd	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3510	413	30	13.7	66.1%	187 (45.3%)	90 (21.8%)	111 (26.9%)	4 (1.0%)	4 (1.0%)	1 (0.2%)	16 (3.9%)	26.7	1720^th of 2256 public elementary schools	23.8%		36.7	1423^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	36.5%	297	35.0	40.0	45.0		18.0	33.0	61.0		53.0	$12,393	$1,706	$10,687

Frequently Asked Questions about Highland City Elementary School

How many students attend Highland City Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 415 students attended Highland City Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Highland City Elementary School?

Students at Highland City Elementary School are 50% White, 30% Hispanic, 11% African American, 7% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

What district is Highland City Elementary School in?

Polk

What schools do graduates of Highland City Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Highland City Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Bartow Middle School
High : Bartow Senior High School

Is Highland City Elementary School a good school?

Highland City Elementary School ranks 886^th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

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