Highlands High School

Summary:

Highlands High School is a public high school located in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 1,015 students. The school is part of the Fort Thomas Independent School District, which is ranked 3rd out of 159 districts in Kentucky and has a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Highlands High School has consistently been one of the top-performing high schools in Kentucky, ranking within the top 5 schools in the state for the past several years. In the 2023-2024 school year, the school ranked 4th out of 290 Kentucky high schools and received a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school outperforms the state and district averages in standardized test scores, including the ACT and Kentucky State Assessments (KSA), with 80% of 11th-grade students proficient or better in ACT English, 70% in ACT Mathematics, and 68% in ACT Reading, compared to the state averages of 44%, 30%, and 42%, respectively. Additionally, the school has an exceptional four-year graduation rate of 98.4%, significantly higher than the state average.

Compared to nearby schools, Scott High School, Ludlow High School, Beechwood High School, and Newport High School, Highlands High School significantly outperforms them in academic performance, graduation rates, and student subgroup performance. This may be attributed to the school's relatively low percentage of free and reduced-price lunch recipients, at 9.26%, compared to the higher percentages in nearby schools, as well as its smaller student-teacher ratio of 18.1, which is lower than some nearby schools.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 2400 Memorial Pkwy
       Fort Thomas, KY  41075


(859) 781-5900

District: Fort Thomas Independent

SchoolDigger Rank:
4th of 290 Kentucky High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,027 Help


Feeder schools for Highlands High School:

Elementary:    Johnson Elementary School
    Moyer Elementary School
    Woodfill Elementary School
Middle:    Highlands Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  17.5 Help
Number of students:  1,022

Racial breakdown:

White:
89.2%
Two or more races:
4.7%
Hispanic:
3.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  9.3% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Highlands High School ranks better than 98.6% of high schools in Kentucky. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 96.61. (See more...)
Help
The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Highlands High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
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
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (89.2%), two or more races (4.7%), Hispanic (3.2%). (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Highlands High School is 17.5. (See more...)
Help
Compare Highlands High School employs 58.4 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Highlands High School is $14,027.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Highlands High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Highlands High School 4th of 290 Kentucky public high schools. (See Highlands High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Fort Thomas Independent:

SchoolDigger ranks Fort Thomas Independent 3rd of 159 Kentucky school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Highlands High School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Highlands High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2007 98.98 4th 217 98.2%
2008 98.37 5th 217 97.7%
2009 99.29 2nd 217 99.1%
2010 99.28 3rd 223 98.7%
2011 95.16 6th 226 97.3%
2012 99.12 2nd 229 99.1%
2013 96.01 4th 291 98.6%
2014 96.54 3rd 290 99.0%
2015 97.57 2nd 295 99.3%
2016 97.19 3rd 288 99.0%
2017 96.31 3rd 287 99.0%
2018 99.15 2nd 271 99.3%
2019 97.00 4th 285 98.6%
2021 97.71 3rd 267 98.9%
2022 98.98 2nd 271 99.3%
2023 96.02 4th 276 98.6%
2024 96.61 4th 290 98.6%
See the entire list of Kentucky High School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Highlands High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 88.93 3rd 77 96.1%
2023 88.93 3rd 76 96.1%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky High Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Highlands High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 95.58 4th 226 98.2%
2024 95.35 3rd 168 98.2%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky High Schools for Special Education Students!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 98.17 3rd 232 98.7%
2019 93.66 4th 254 98.4%
2021 75.57 25th 234 89.3%
2022 92.94 7th 266 97.4%
2023 77.31 25th 272 90.8%
2024 85.93 12th 274 95.6%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Highlands High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 97.36 2nd 234 99.1%
2019 95.88 4th 249 98.4%
2021 95.73 6th 236 97.5%
2022 98.47 2nd 252 99.2%
2023 94.17 7th 253 97.2%
2024 97.24 5th 261 98.1%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Highlands High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 61.67 46th 166 72.3%
2022 86.80 7th 153 95.4%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Highlands High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 67.32 35th 115 69.6%
2019 85.28 2nd 102 98.0%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky High Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at Highlands High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 99.59 2nd 237 99.2%
2019 91.18 9th 251 96.4%
2021 97.52 4th 238 98.3%
2022 99.20 3rd 257 98.8%
2023 97.99 4th 259 98.5%
2024 93.59 7th 262 97.3%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Highlands High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 96.83 3rd 124 97.6%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Highlands High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 98.67 2nd 198 99.0%
2019 92.52 7th 219 96.8%
2021 95.20 5th 203 97.5%
2022 98.39 3rd 260 98.8%
2023 94.19 5th 264 98.1%
2024 94.86 7th 273 97.4%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Kentucky 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 High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 




Data source: Kentucky Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Highlands High School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 982 0 5 7 2 n/a n/a 0 996
1989 957 0 4 1 0 n/a n/a 0 962
1990 973 1 4 1 0 n/a n/a 0 979
1991 1005 0 6 2 1 n/a n/a 0 1014
1992 987 0 5 1 0 n/a n/a 0 993
1993 1014 0 4 1 0 n/a n/a 0 1019
1994 1089 0 4 2 0 n/a n/a 0 1095
1995 1133 0 3 4 0 n/a n/a 0 1140
1996 1133 0 3 4 0 n/a n/a 0 1140
1997 1157 2 1 1 1 n/a n/a 0 1162
1998 808 1 3 0 1 n/a n/a 0 813
1999 821 2 1 0 1 n/a n/a 1 826
2000 797 1 2 0 3 n/a n/a 0 803
2001 811 2 2 0 2 n/a n/a 1 818
2002 786 5 1 1 2 n/a n/a 0 795
2003 786 5 1 1 2 n/a n/a 0 795
2004 806 7 0 3 2 n/a n/a 0 818
2005 801 8 0 4 1 n/a n/a 0 814
2006 787 7 2 10 1 n/a n/a 0 807
2007 796 4 3 6 0 n/a n/a 7 816
2008 800 2 6 6 0 n/a n/a 7 821
2009 769 6 6 7 0 n/a n/a 6 794
2010 748 8 6 4 0 n/a n/a 14 780
2011 742 11 10 11 0 0 11 0 785
2012 775 9 10 13 0 0 13 0 820
2013 831 14 10 18 0 1 14 0 888
2014 879 11 9 15 0 0 21 0 935
2015 921 11 9 16 0 0 15 0 972
2016 940 12 9 17 0 0 15 0 993
2017 952 9 10 13 0 0 16 0 1000
2018 959 9 17 17 0 1 13 0 1016
2019 962 10 20 17 0 1 19 0 1029
2020 955 9 18 21 0 1 24 0 1028
2021 949 9 15 26 0 1 36 0 1036
2022 899 11 14 28 0 0 43 0 995
2023 914 12 15 32 0 0 42 0 1015
2024 912 11 15 33 3 0 48 0 1022

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 High School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 996 65.6 15.1 n/a
1989 962 66.3 14.5 n/a
1990 979 64.4 15.2 n/a
1991 1014 64.8 15.6 n/a
1992 993 66.8 14.8 n/a
1993 1019 66.0 15.4 n/a
1994 1095 67.3 16.3 n/a
1995 1140 69.6 16.4 n/a
1996 1140 69.6 16.4 n/a
1997 1162 75.0 15.5 2.3
1998 813 46.9 17.3 2.2
1999 826 47.9 17.2 2.3
2000 803 50.3 16.0 1.4
2001 818 49.2 16.6 2.2
2002 795 45.7 17.4 2.6
2003 795 45.7 17.4 2.6
2004 818 46.7 17.5 n/a
2005 814 46.8 17.4 n/a
2006 807 47.3 17.1 5.3
2007 816 50.0 16.3 5.2
2008 821 47.0 17.5 9.3
2009 794 47.2 16.8 9.8
2010 780 42.2 18.4 12.8
2011 785 46.9 16.7 15
2012 820 48.1 17.0 15.1
2013 888 52.1 17.0 16.3
2014 935 56.6 16.5 17.8
2015 972 57.0 17.0 12.8
2016 993 55.0 18.0 11.6
2017 1000 55.4 18.0 9.2
2018 1016 55.9 18.1 9.4
2019 1029 57.5 17.8 6.6
2020 1028 57.5 17.8 5.8
2021 1036 57.2 18.0 5.2
2022 995 58.2 17.0 7.6
2023 1015 56.0 18.1 9.3
2024 1022 58.4 17.5 n/a

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 High School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 996 65.6 15.1 n/a
1989 962 66.3 14.5 n/a
1990 979 64.4 15.2 n/a
1991 1014 64.8 15.6 n/a
1992 993 66.8 14.8 n/a
1993 1019 66.0 15.4 n/a
1994 1095 67.3 16.3 n/a
1995 1140 69.6 16.4 n/a
1996 1140 69.6 16.4 n/a
1997 1162 75.0 15.5 2.3
1998 813 46.9 17.3 2.2
1999 826 47.9 17.2 2.3
2000 803 50.3 16.0 1.4
2001 818 49.2 16.6 2.2
2002 795 45.7 17.4 2.6
2003 795 45.7 17.4 2.6
2004 818 46.7 17.5 n/a
2005 814 46.8 17.4 n/a
2006 807 47.3 17.1 5.3
2007 816 50.0 16.3 5.2
2008 821 47.0 17.5 9.3
2009 794 47.2 16.8 9.8
2010 780 42.2 18.4 12.8
2011 785 46.9 16.7 15
2012 820 48.1 17.0 15.1
2013 888 52.1 17.0 16.3
2014 935 56.6 16.5 17.8
2015 972 57.0 17.0 12.8
2016 993 55.0 18.0 11.6
2017 1000 55.4 18.0 9.2
2018 1016 55.9 18.1 9.4
2019 1029 57.5 17.8 6.6
2020 1028 57.5 17.8 5.8
2021 1036 57.2 18.0 5.2
2022 995 58.2 17.0 7.6
2023 1015 56.0 18.1 9.3
2024 1022 58.4 17.5 n/a

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 High School

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YearPersonnel Expenditures from Federal FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from Federal FundsTotal Expenditures from Federal FundsPersonnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $222 (1.7%) $70 (0.5%) $292 (2.2%) $9,178 (68.5%) $2,207 (16.5%) $11,385 (84.9%) $13,408
2019 $163 (1.1%) $63 (0.4%) $226 (1.6%) $9,496 (66.6%) $2,513 (17.6%) $12,009 (84.2%) $14,259
2020 $167 (1.2%) $34 (0.2%) $201 (1.4%) $9,582 (67.9%) $2,099 (14.9%) $11,681 (82.7%) $14,121
2021 $307 (2.1%) $296 (2.0%) $603 (4.2%) $9,573 (66.0%) $1,854 (12.8%) $11,427 (78.8%) $14,497
2022 $255 (1.8%) $123 (0.9%) $378 (2.7%) $10,241 (73.0%) $3,397 (24.2%) $13,638 (97.2%) $14,027

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Highlands High 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 4th of 285 High schoolsRanks 4th of 276 High schools
 0%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
11th Grade English (Highlands High School)80.379
 1.3%
   11th Grade English (Fort Thomas Independent)80.379
 1.3%
   11th Grade English (Kentucky)49.147
 2.1%
11th Grade Mathematics (Highlands High School)71.474
 2.6%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Fort Thomas Independent)71.474
 2.6%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Kentucky)36.433
 3.4%
11th Grade Reading (Highlands High School)76.174
 2.1%
   11th Grade Reading (Fort Thomas Independent)76.174
 2.1%
   11th Grade Reading (Kentucky)4644
 2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students10291015
 1.4%
African American1012
 20%
American Indian00
Asian2015
 25%
Hispanic1732
 88.2%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White962914
 5%
Two or More Races1942
 121.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients6.6%9.3%
 2.7%


Schools Near Highlands High School









Frequently Asked Questions about Highlands High School

Students at Highlands High School are 89% White, 5% Two or more races, 3% Hispanic, 1% Asian, 1% African American.

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,022 students attended Highlands High School.

Yes! Highlands High School is one of the best high schools in the state. It ranks 4th of 290 Kentucky high schools.

Highlands High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Johnson Elementary School
Elementary : Moyer Elementary School
Elementary : Woodfill Elementary School
Middle : Highlands Middle 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 Kentucky 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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