Highlands Middle School

Summary:

Highlands Middle School is a highly-rated public middle school located in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, serving 732 students in grades 6-8. It is part of the Fort Thomas Independent School District, which is ranked 3rd out of 159 districts in the state and has a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Highlands Middle School consistently ranks among the top middle schools in Kentucky, with a statewide ranking between 3rd and 16th over the past 10 years. The school's students perform significantly better than the state averages across all subject areas, including mathematics, reading, science, writing, social studies, and editing/mechanics. Highlands Middle School also excels in serving various student subgroups, ranking highly for female, male, and white students, as well as multi-racial students. While the school's performance for low socioeconomic status and disabled students is not as strong, it still outperforms the state averages for these groups. The school spends significantly more per student ($12,681 in 2018-2019) compared to the state average, which likely contributes to its strong academic outcomes, and it has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 16.4 to 18.1 over the past three years.

Highlands Middle School significantly outperforms the nearby middle schools in the Boone County, Kenton County, Erlanger-Elsmere, and Covington Independent school districts. The academic performance gap is particularly wide between Highlands and the lower-performing schools in the Erlanger-Elsmere and Covington Independent districts. While Highlands Middle School excels overall, its performance for low socioeconomic status students is not as strong, ranking 151st out of 311 Kentucky middle schools in 2023-2024, suggesting the school may need to focus additional resources and support to ensure these students are achieving at the same high levels as their peers. However, the school's gifted and talented program has performed well, ranking 6th out of 63 Kentucky middle schools in 2017-2018, indicating it is effectively meeting the needs of its high-achieving students.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 2350 Memorial Pkwy
       Fort Thomas, KY  41075


(859) 441-5222

District: Fort Thomas Independent

SchoolDigger Rank:
13th of 324 Kentucky Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,061 Help


Students who attend Highlands Middle School usually attend:

High:    Highlands High School

Feeder schools for Highlands Middle School:

Elementary:    Johnson Elementary School
    Moyer Elementary School
    Woodfill Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  15.9 Help
Number of students:  733

Racial breakdown:

White:
89.8%
Two or more races:
4.4%
Hispanic:
3.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  10.7% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Highlands Middle School ranks better than 96% of middle schools in Kentucky. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 91.13. (See more...)
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 (89.8%), two or more races (4.4%), Hispanic (3.3%). (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Highlands Middle School is 15.9. (See more...)
Help
Compare Highlands Middle School employs 46 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Highlands Middle School is $11,061.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Highlands Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Highlands Middle School 13th of 324 Kentucky public middle schools. (See Highlands Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male 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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Your rating for Highlands Middle School?

Rank History for Highlands Middle School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Highlands Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2007 95.44 8th 284 97.2%
2008 88.88 16th 287 94.4%
2009 90.37 12th 289 95.8%
2010 83.89 28th 299 90.6%
2011 84.57 26th 304 91.4%
2012 95.37 3rd 319 99.1%
2013 91.15 8th 335 97.6%
2014 93.37 3rd 335 99.1%
2015 93.23 7th 337 97.9%
2016 94.11 4th 331 98.8%
2017 94.68 5th 330 98.5%
2018 93.51 6th 322 98.1%
2019 87.98 10th 335 97.0%
2021 96.78 5th 282 98.2%
2022 96.49 4th 320 98.8%
2023 91.52 16th 327 95.1%
2024 91.13 13th 324 96.0%
See the entire list of Kentucky Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Highlands Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 96.06 1st 85 98.8%
2019 85.54 7th 87 92.0%
2023 84.28 6th 95 93.7%
2024 92.44 2nd 99 98.0%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Highlands Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 81.12 33rd 294 88.8%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 72.04 48th 285 83.2%
2019 55.60 115th 303 62.0%
2022 80.85 24th 310 92.3%
2023 58.88 109th 309 64.7%
2024 46.64 151st 311 51.4%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Highlands Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 93.35 5th 290 98.3%
2019 86.49 13th 299 95.7%
2021 96.49 4th 233 98.3%
2022 95.48 4th 299 98.7%
2023 90.80 14th 295 95.3%
2024 92.14 5th 300 98.3%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Highlands Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 51.27 72nd 219 67.1%
2022 53.82 28th 111 74.8%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Middle Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Highlands Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 70.92 6th 63 90.5%
2019 62.03 21st 62 66.1%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Middle Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at Highlands Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 92.26 8th 293 97.3%
2019 88.17 9th 303 97.0%
2021 95.24 2nd 222 99.1%
2022 95.60 5th 304 98.4%
2023 89.12 15th 307 95.1%
2024 89.06 13th 304 95.7%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Highlands Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 91.79 11th 253 95.7%
2019 85.17 19th 266 92.9%
2021 93.93 6th 213 97.2%
2022 94.18 11th 314 96.5%
2023 88.91 22nd 320 93.1%
2024 89.70 18th 316 94.3%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Middle 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 Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Kentucky Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
50%

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0%

50%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Saturday, October 8, 2011

Open Quote Excellent school. Teachers and staff are awesome. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Highlands Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1998 371 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 372
1999 365 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 365
2000 373 0 0 0 3 n/a n/a 0 376
2001 375 1 0 0 2 n/a n/a 3 381
2002 572 4 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 578
2003 572 4 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 578
2004 571 4 2 2 0 n/a n/a 0 579
2005 545 2 4 2 0 n/a n/a 0 553
2006 525 2 4 0 0 n/a n/a 0 531
2007 494 2 7 1 0 n/a n/a 3 507
2008 490 2 4 5 0 n/a n/a 5 506
2009 527 2 4 7 0 n/a n/a 8 548
2010 552 3 6 6 0 n/a n/a 13 580
2011 596 6 7 6 0 0 10 0 625
2012 608 9 7 6 0 1 5 0 636
2013 627 9 5 9 1 0 9 0 660
2014 648 10 7 8 0 0 11 0 684
2015 684 9 14 10 0 0 13 0 730
2016 689 5 15 11 0 0 17 0 737
2017 682 6 11 16 0 2 25 0 742
2018 679 5 7 16 0 1 38 0 746
2019 663 9 10 21 0 0 36 0 739
2020 709 8 12 20 0 1 36 0 786
2021 690 5 13 22 3 0 34 0 767
2022 703 5 10 20 3 0 33 0 774
2023 656 9 6 23 3 0 35 0 732
2024 658 13 6 24 0 0 32 0 733

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 Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1998 372 26.3 14.1 n/a
1999 365 27.5 13.3 2.2
2000 376 26.5 14.2 3.2
2001 381 26.7 14.3 0
2002 578 34.4 16.8 7.4
2003 578 34.4 16.8 7.4
2004 579 37.1 15.6 n/a
2005 553 37.1 14.9 n/a
2006 531 34.6 15.3 11.9
2007 507 34.0 14.9 12.3
2008 506 33.2 15.2 13.8
2009 548 31.3 17.5 15.6
2010 580 31.4 18.4 19
2011 625 32.5 19.2 17
2012 636 34.5 18.4 17.5
2013 660 35.5 18.5 16.2
2014 684 36.7 18.6 16.1
2015 730 38.0 19.2 11
2016 737 40.0 18.4 11.5
2017 742 38.5 19.2 9.4
2018 746 40.5 18.4 11.3
2019 739 41.5 17.8 10
2020 786 42.0 18.7 9.3
2021 767 42.2 18.1 6.9
2022 774 43.2 17.8 6.8
2023 732 44.5 16.4 10.7
2024 733 46.0 15.9 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 Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1998 372 26.3 14.1 n/a
1999 365 27.5 13.3 2.2
2000 376 26.5 14.2 3.2
2001 381 26.7 14.3 0
2002 578 34.4 16.8 7.4
2003 578 34.4 16.8 7.4
2004 579 37.1 15.6 n/a
2005 553 37.1 14.9 n/a
2006 531 34.6 15.3 11.9
2007 507 34.0 14.9 12.3
2008 506 33.2 15.2 13.8
2009 548 31.3 17.5 15.6
2010 580 31.4 18.4 19
2011 625 32.5 19.2 17
2012 636 34.5 18.4 17.5
2013 660 35.5 18.5 16.2
2014 684 36.7 18.6 16.1
2015 730 38.0 19.2 11
2016 737 40.0 18.4 11.5
2017 742 38.5 19.2 9.4
2018 746 40.5 18.4 11.3
2019 739 41.5 17.8 10
2020 786 42.0 18.7 9.3
2021 767 42.2 18.1 6.9
2022 774 43.2 17.8 6.8
2023 732 44.5 16.4 10.7
2024 733 46.0 15.9 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 Middle 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 $96 (0.8%) $47 (0.4%) $143 (1.2%) $8,363 (68.9%) $1,760 (14.5%) $10,123 (83.4%) $12,143
2019 $60 (0.5%) $45 (0.4%) $105 (0.8%) $8,796 (69.4%) $1,779 (14.0%) $10,575 (83.4%) $12,681
2020 $19 (0.2%) $21 (0.2%) $40 (0.3%) $8,333 (69.1%) $1,440 (11.9%) $9,773 (81.1%) $12,052
2021 $151 (1.1%) $280 (2.1%) $431 (3.2%) $8,872 (66.9%) $1,494 (11.3%) $10,366 (78.1%) $13,265
2022 $119 (1.1%) $105 (0.9%) $224 (2.0%) $9,045 (81.8%) $1,779 (16.1%) $10,825 (97.9%) $11,061

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Highlands Middle 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 10th of 335 Middle schoolsRanks 16th of 327 Middle schools
 1.9%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students739732
 0.9%
African American99
American Indian03
Asian106
 40%
Hispanic2123
 9.5%
Pacific Islander00
White663656
 1.1%
Two or More Races3635
 2.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients10%10.7%
 0.6%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Highlands Middle School

Yes! Highlands Middle School is one of the best middle schools in the state. It ranks 13th of 324 Kentucky middle schools.

In the 2023-24 school year, 733 students attended Highlands Middle School.

Students at Highlands Middle School are 90% White, 4% Two or more races, 3% Hispanic, 2% African American.

Students who attend Highlands Middle School usually go on to attend Highlands High 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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