Highlands Elementary School

Summary:

Highlands Elementary School is a public elementary school in Boise, Idaho, serving 294 students in grades PK-6. The school consistently ranks among the top elementary schools in the state, with exceptional academic performance and test scores that significantly outpace the Boise Independent District and the state of Idaho.

Highlands Elementary School has maintained a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger, indicating its academic excellence. In the 2023-2024 school year, 77.5% of students were proficient or better in ISAT/Math, compared to 44.8% for the district and 42.2% for the state. Similarly, 79.1% of students were proficient or better in ISAT/English Language Arts, compared to 53.5% for the district and 53.3% for the state. However, the school has a predominantly white student population, with 89.12% of students identifying as white, which is higher than the racial diversity of nearby schools like Roosevelt Elementary School and Cynthia Mann Elementary School.

Highlands Elementary School also has a very low percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, at only 3.06% in the 2022-2023 school year, which is significantly lower than the nearby schools. This, combined with the school's low student-teacher ratio of 17.2, suggests that Highlands serves a relatively affluent community, which may contribute to its high academic performance. While Highlands Elementary School is an exceptional academic institution, the significant differences in academic performance and student demographics between it and the nearby schools raise concerns about educational equity and access to high-quality education for all students in the Boise Independent District.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

 3434 Bogus Basin Road
       Boise, ID  83702-1507


(208) 854-5050

District: Boise Independent District

SchoolDigger Rank:
6th of 301 Idaho Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $8,870 Help


Students who attend Highlands Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    North Junior High School
High:    Boise Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio:  17.2 Help
Number of students:  294

Racial breakdown:

White:
89.1%
Two or more races:
5.4%
Hispanic:
4.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  3.1% Help


 See top rated Idaho elementary schools

 Compare Highlands Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Highlands Elementary School ranks better than 98% of elementary schools in Idaho. It also ranks first among 32 ranked elementary schools in the Boise Independent District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 94.79. (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
Help
Compare Details Highlands Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Boise Independent District.  (See more...)
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Highlands Elementary School is $8,870. 26 elementary schools in the Boise Independent District spend more per student.
Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Boise Independent District:

SchoolDigger ranks Boise Independent District 37th of 77 Idaho school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Highlands Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools ID State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2008 86.65 7th 335 97.9%
2009 92.11 3rd 349 99.1%
2010 89.13 2nd 356 99.4%
2011 86.90 5th 359 98.6%
2012 85.32 12th 354 96.6%
2013 86.12 9th 357 97.5%
2015 91.67 9th 226 96.0%
2016 94.63 4th 240 98.3%
2017 95.04 4th 292 98.6%
2018 95.47 3rd 254 98.8%
2019 96.46 3rd 171 98.2%
2021 97.42 2nd 166 98.8%
2022 95.81 4th 188 97.9%
2023 94.55 9th 252 96.4%
2024 94.79 6th 301 98.0%
See the entire list of Idaho Elementary School Rankings!

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

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







Data source: Idaho Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!


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
1991 0 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 232 232
1992 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 251 251
1993 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 251 251
1994 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 282 282
1995 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 281 281
1996 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 281 281
1997 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 268 268
1998 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 247 247
1999 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 265 265
2000 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 252 252
2001 216 1 4 1 0 n/a n/a 0 222
2002 231 3 4 3 0 n/a n/a 0 241
2003 231 3 4 3 0 n/a n/a 0 241
2004 255 1 5 3 0 n/a n/a 0 264
2005 241 0 4 5 1 n/a n/a 0 251
2006 276 0 8 5 0 n/a n/a 0 289
2007 300 6 3 0 0 n/a n/a 0 309
2008 305 1 6 5 0 n/a n/a 0 317
2009 302 2 8 8 0 n/a n/a 0 320
2010 308 0 11 8 0 n/a n/a 0 327
2011 286 0 9 12 1 0 8 0 316
2012 280 0 7 15 1 0 12 0 315
2013 277 0 5 11 1 0 12 0 306
2014 292 0 5 10 0 0 16 0 323
2015 324 1 5 9 1 0 16 0 356
2016 318 2 8 9 1 0 5 0 343
2017 290 3 1 6 1 0 11 0 312
2018 295 2 2 3 1 0 9 0 312
2019 280 2 1 5 1 0 8 0 297
2020 262 0 1 6 1 0 7 0 277
2021 255 0 1 12 0 0 7 0 275
2022 260 0 1 10 0 0 9 0 280
2023 262 0 3 13 0 0 16 0 294

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
1991 232 10.0 23.2 0.4
1992 251 16.3 15.3 0.8
1993 251 16.1 15.6 2
1994 282 13.7 20.6 1.1
1995 281 14.4 19.5 0
1996 281 14.4 19.5 0
1997 268 15.7 17.1 1.5
1998 247 12.4 19.9 2
1999 265 13.3 19.9 0.8
2000 252 15.0 16.8 1.6
2001 222 14.0 15.9 3.6
2002 241 14.1 17.1 4.1
2003 241 14.1 17.1 4.1
2004 264 14.0 18.9 5.3
2005 251 13.0 19.3 4.4
2006 289 14.5 19.9 5.5
2007 309 16.9 18.3 5.2
2008 317 16.6 19.1 3.2
2009 320 17.2 18.5 2.5
2010 327 17.5 18.5 4.9
2011 316 19.6 16.1 6.3
2012 315 18.6 16.9 8.3
2013 306 17.5 17.4 7.2
2014 323 16.3 19.7 6.2
2015 356 18.0 19.7 7.6
2016 343 18.0 19.0 5.2
2017 312 17.2 18.1 3.2
2018 312 16.9 18.4 2.2
2019 297 16.4 18.1 1
2020 277 16.3 16.9 1.8
2021 275 17.3 15.8 3.3
2022 280 16.8 16.6 1.8
2023 294 17.0 17.2 3.1

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
1991 232 10.0 23.2 0.4
1992 251 16.3 15.3 0.8
1993 251 16.1 15.6 2
1994 282 13.7 20.6 1.1
1995 281 14.4 19.5 0
1996 281 14.4 19.5 0
1997 268 15.7 17.1 1.5
1998 247 12.4 19.9 2
1999 265 13.3 19.9 0.8
2000 252 15.0 16.8 1.6
2001 222 14.0 15.9 3.6
2002 241 14.1 17.1 4.1
2003 241 14.1 17.1 4.1
2004 264 14.0 18.9 5.3
2005 251 13.0 19.3 4.4
2006 289 14.5 19.9 5.5
2007 309 16.9 18.3 5.2
2008 317 16.6 19.1 3.2
2009 320 17.2 18.5 2.5
2010 327 17.5 18.5 4.9
2011 316 19.6 16.1 6.3
2012 315 18.6 16.9 8.3
2013 306 17.5 17.4 7.2
2014 323 16.3 19.7 6.2
2015 356 18.0 19.7 7.6
2016 343 18.0 19.0 5.2
2017 312 17.2 18.1 3.2
2018 312 16.9 18.4 2.2
2019 297 16.4 18.1 1
2020 277 16.3 16.9 1.8
2021 275 17.3 15.8 3.3
2022 280 16.8 16.6 1.8
2023 294 17.0 17.2 3.1

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

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $369 (4.2%) $8,501 (95.8%) $8,870

Data source: Idaho 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 3rd of 171 Elementary schoolsRanks 9th of 252 Elementary schools
 1.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Math (Highlands Elementary School)80.584.1
 3.6%
   3rd Grade Math (Boise Independent District)54.653.3
 1.3%
   3rd Grade Math (Idaho)5351.1
 1.9%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Highlands Elementary School)80.571
 9.5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Boise Independent District)55.650.2
 5.4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Idaho)50.545.2
 5.3%
4th Grade Math (Highlands Elementary School)77.487
 9.6%
   4th Grade Math (Boise Independent District)50.848.8
 2%
   4th Grade Math (Idaho)49.947.2
 2.7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Highlands Elementary School)86.887
 0.2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Boise Independent District)55.651.7
 3.9%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Idaho)5248.4
 3.6%
5th Grade Math (Highlands Elementary School)76.380
 3.7%
   5th Grade Math (Boise Independent District)4341.5
 1.5%
   5th Grade Math (Idaho)44.941.5
 3.4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Highlands Elementary School)81.672.5
 9.1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Boise Independent District)57.553.4
 4.1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Idaho)56.951.7
 5.2%
6th Grade Math (Highlands Elementary School)69.777.8
 8.1%
   6th Grade Math (Boise Independent District)44.249.3
 5.1%
   6th Grade Math (Idaho)4340.7
 2.3%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Highlands Elementary School)83.468.4
 15%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Boise Independent District)59.755.1
 4.6%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Idaho)55.350
 5.3%
All Grades Math (Highlands Elementary School)75.377.3
 2%
   All Grades Math (Boise Independent District)46.545.5
 1%
   All Grades Math (Idaho)44.441.5
 2.9%
All Grades English Language Arts (Highlands Elementary School)83.374.5
 8.8%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Boise Independent District)57.355.5
 1.8%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Idaho)5552.2
 2.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students297294
 1%
African American20
 100%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian13
 200%
Hispanic513
 160%
Pacific Islander00
White280262
 6.4%
Two or More Races816
 100%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients1%3.1%
 2.1%


Schools Near Highlands Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Highlands Elementary School

Yes! Highlands Elementary School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 6th of 301 Idaho elementary schools.

Students at Highlands Elementary School are 89% White, 5% Two or more races, 4% Hispanic, 1% Asian.

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

Middle : North Junior High School
High : Boise Senior High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 294 students attended Highlands Elementary School.


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