Hightstown High School

Summary:

Hightstown High School is a public high school serving grades 9-12 in Hightstown, New Jersey, which is part of the East Windsor Regional School District. The school has a diverse student population, with over 1,200 students from various racial and ethnic backgrounds.

While Hightstown High School has maintained a high four-year graduation rate, its academic performance has been declining in recent years. The school's statewide ranking has dropped from 154 out of 405 high schools in 2020-2021 to 285 out of 422 high schools in 2022-2023, placing it in the bottom half of high schools in New Jersey. This decline is particularly concerning, as the school's test scores, especially in mathematics, are generally below the state and district averages. Additionally, the school's performance varies significantly across different student subgroups, with Hispanic and female students performing poorly compared to their African American and White peers.

When compared to nearby high-performing schools, such as Monroe Township High School, Robbinsville High School, and the West Windsor-Plainsboro high schools, Hightstown High School's academic performance is generally lower. These neighboring schools have higher statewide rankings, better test scores, and lower chronic absenteeism rates. The socioeconomic factors at Hightstown High School, with a relatively high percentage of students from low-income backgrounds, may contribute to the school's academic challenges and the observed racial disparities in student outcomes.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 25 Leshin Lane
       Hightstown, NJ  08520-4006


(609) 443-7738

District: East Windsor Regional School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
285th of 422 New Jersey High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $13,837 Help


Feeder schools for Hightstown High School:

Elementary:    Ethel McKnight Elementary School
    Grace N. Rogers Elementary School
    Perry L. Drew Elementary School
    Walter C. Black Elementary School
Middle:    Melvin H. Kreps Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  12.8 Help
Number of students:  1,644

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
48.8%
White:
26.5%
Asian:
14.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  36.4% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Hightstown High School ranks worse than 67.5% of high schools in New Jersey. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 28.44. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Hightstown High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
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 Student population at Hightstown High School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (48.8%), White (26.5%), Asian (14.9%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 36.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Hightstown High School is 12.8. (See more...)
Help
Compare Hightstown High School employs 128 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Hightstown High School is $13,837.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Hightstown High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Hightstown High School 285th of 422 New Jersey public high schools. (See Hightstown High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


East Windsor Regional School District:

SchoolDigger ranks East Windsor Regional School District 420th of 615 New Jersey school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Hightstown High School?

Rank History for Hightstown High School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Hightstown High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 48.17 223rd 343 35.0%
2004 46.97 235th 348 32.5%
2005 46.07 236th 351 32.8%
2006 52.78 228th 357 36.1%
2007 47.18 240th 361 33.5%
2008 62.84 165th 359 54.0%
2009 52.70 229th 370 38.1%
2010 54.28 227th 371 38.8%
2011 48.28 255th 378 32.5%
2012 65.36 170th 388 56.2%
2013 59.42 211th 396 46.7%
2014 60.07 217th 411 47.2%
2015 49.39 146th 406 64.0%
2016 42.77 201st 409 50.9%
2017 44.57 190th 411 53.8%
2018 45.65 182nd 415 56.1%
2019 40.51 218th 416 47.6%
2021 50.37 154th 405 62.0%
2022 29.40 277th 415 33.3%
2023 28.44 285th 422 32.5%
See the entire list of New Jersey High School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Hightstown High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 41.16 70th 146 52.1%
2019 50.73 49th 138 64.5%
2021 40.54 46th 101 54.5%
2022 28.07 103rd 137 24.8%
2023 33.01 101st 161 37.3%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Hightstown High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 39.72 187th 355 47.3%
2019 49.90 137th 349 60.7%
2022 56.03 95th 344 72.4%
2023 43.19 152nd 339 55.2%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Special Education Students!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 45.96 155th 345 55.1%
2019 42.90 164th 347 52.7%
2021 37.75 201st 326 38.3%
2022 29.52 227th 324 29.9%
2023 30.77 240th 344 30.2%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Hightstown High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 49.45 176th 403 56.3%
2019 45.20 198th 408 51.5%
2021 12.14 372nd 402 7.5%
2022 33.29 249th 414 39.9%
2023 24.14 300th 416 27.9%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Hightstown High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 48.16 162nd 405 60.0%
2019 44.38 181st 407 55.5%
2021 51.22 144th 402 64.2%
2022 34.08 223rd 410 45.6%
2023 35.06 222nd 414 46.4%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Hightstown High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 35.68 137th 198 30.8%
2019 26.99 155th 191 18.8%
2021 32.25 122nd 165 26.1%
2022 32.69 123rd 175 29.7%
2023 35.06 107th 172 37.8%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Hightstown High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 59.08 71st 266 73.3%
2019 56.14 86th 254 66.1%
2021 53.87 83rd 247 66.4%
2022 44.11 111th 256 56.6%
2023 49.40 81st 250 67.6%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Hightstown High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 38.03 214th 368 41.8%
2019 32.54 239th 364 34.3%
2021 37.18 220th 374 41.2%
2022 26.10 282nd 382 26.2%
2023 26.00 288th 385 25.2%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Hightstown High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 55.19 108th 340 68.2%
2019 53.82 117th 339 65.5%
2021 46.64 126th 336 62.5%
2022 41.94 160th 335 52.2%
2023 32.46 199th 335 40.6%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: New Jersey 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.

Hightstown High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: New Jersey Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Open Quote i have had 3 children go there. they have an excellent music and AP program. Plenty of electives. Foreign exchange trips. Dual enrollment college programs. Excellent sports and a robust guidance office for college admission. They have Votech training and advanced honors placement. Each year many students receive scholarships and all major colleges stop by and tour the school. One of my children performed at Disney world, another went to Europe as a Student ambassador. My youngest is going to Spain this Summer while her sister is graduating Rutgers on the Dean's list and less than 6500 in debt even though we did not qualify for Pell. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Hightstown High School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 1325 113 36 52 5 n/a n/a 0 1531
1989 1234 95 39 55 4 n/a n/a 0 1427
1990 1103 97 56 15 27 n/a n/a 0 1298
1991 1009 109 53 58 2 n/a n/a 0 1231
1992 981 122 57 79 1 n/a n/a 0 1240
1993 918 132 77 90 1 n/a n/a 0 1218
1994 872 135 79 100 0 n/a n/a 0 1186
1995 813 166 82 99 0 n/a n/a 0 1160
1996 813 166 82 99 0 n/a n/a 0 1160
1998 762 149 110 141 0 n/a n/a 0 1162
1999 772 147 120 148 0 n/a n/a 0 1187
2000 744 146 117 181 0 n/a n/a 0 1188
2001 757 143 143 198 1 n/a n/a 0 1242
2002 784 149 153 235 1 n/a n/a 0 1322
2003 784 149 153 235 1 n/a n/a 0 1322
2004 800 154 162 252 2 n/a n/a 0 1370
2005 779 163 174 260 0 n/a n/a 0 1376
2006 785 189 182 271 0 n/a n/a 0 1427
2007 774 185 192 290 0 n/a n/a 0 1441
2008 722 195 183 324 0 n/a n/a 0 1424
2009 721 203 179 334 0 0 0 0 1437
2010 706 202 195 353 0 0 1 0 1457
2011 653 171 195 325 0 0 2 0 1346
2012 667 159 215 362 0 0 0 0 1403
2013 673 159 216 385 0 0 6 0 1439
2014 643 175 222 430 1 0 4 0 1475
2015 603 179 233 479 1 0 8 0 1503
2016 589 193 257 484 1 1 7 0 1532
2017 571 194 271 501 1 1 11 0 1550
2018 596 177 290 532 1 1 19 0 1616
2019 591 174 292 592 1 3 23 0 1676
2020 560 167 288 657 2 3 22 0 1699
2021 519 143 283 691 2 3 16 1 1658
2022 460 138 244 752 1 2 20 4 1621
2023 436 132 245 802 1 3 20 5 1644

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 Hightstown High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1531 118.0 12.9 n/a
1989 1427 119.0 11.9 n/a
1990 1298 119.0 10.9 n/a
1991 1231 114.0 10.7 3.1
1992 1240 110.0 11.2 5.6
1993 1218 109.3 11.1 7.1
1994 1186 107.1 11.1 8
1995 1160 99.2 11.7 9.2
1996 1160 99.2 11.7 9.2
1998 1162 98.3 11.8 9.4
1999 1187 99.0 12.0 9.9
2000 1188 98.9 12.0 11
2001 1242 100.6 12.3 11.7
2002 1322 103.4 12.8 11
2003 1322 103.4 12.8 11
2004 1370 103.4 13.2 13.3
2005 1376 105.2 13.1 n/a
2006 1427 105.5 13.5 13.5
2007 1441 110.5 13.0 15.1
2008 1424 99.0 14.4 17.9
2009 1437 106.8 12.4 17.9
2010 1457 111.0 13.1 23.4
2011 1346 105.5 12.7 25
2012 1403 116.0 12.0 25.6
2013 1439 113.2 12.7 27
2014 1475 117.8 12.5 32.8
2015 1503 122.0 12.3 35.7
2016 1532 123.0 12.4 34.3
2017 1550 125.0 12.4 33.7
2018 1616 126.0 12.8 34.5
2019 1676 128.1 13.0 35.1
2020 1699 136.0 12.4 37.1
2021 1658 132.5 12.5 36.2
2022 1621 131.3 12.3 29.2
2023 1644 128.0 12.8 36.4

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 Hightstown High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1531 118.0 12.9 n/a
1989 1427 119.0 11.9 n/a
1990 1298 119.0 10.9 n/a
1991 1231 114.0 10.7 3.1
1992 1240 110.0 11.2 5.6
1993 1218 109.3 11.1 7.1
1994 1186 107.1 11.1 8
1995 1160 99.2 11.7 9.2
1996 1160 99.2 11.7 9.2
1998 1162 98.3 11.8 9.4
1999 1187 99.0 12.0 9.9
2000 1188 98.9 12.0 11
2001 1242 100.6 12.3 11.7
2002 1322 103.4 12.8 11
2003 1322 103.4 12.8 11
2004 1370 103.4 13.2 13.3
2005 1376 105.2 13.1 n/a
2006 1427 105.5 13.5 13.5
2007 1441 110.5 13.0 15.1
2008 1424 99.0 14.4 17.9
2009 1437 106.8 12.4 17.9
2010 1457 111.0 13.1 23.4
2011 1346 105.5 12.7 25
2012 1403 116.0 12.0 25.6
2013 1439 113.2 12.7 27
2014 1475 117.8 12.5 32.8
2015 1503 122.0 12.3 35.7
2016 1532 123.0 12.4 34.3
2017 1550 125.0 12.4 33.7
2018 1616 126.0 12.8 34.5
2019 1676 128.1 13.0 35.1
2020 1699 136.0 12.4 37.1
2021 1658 132.5 12.5 36.2
2022 1621 131.3 12.3 29.2
2023 1644 128.0 12.8 36.4

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 Hightstown High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $184 (1.3%) $13,653 (98.7%) $13,837

Data source: New Jersey Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Hightstown 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 218th of 416 High schoolsRanks 285th of 422 High schools
 15.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
9th Grade English Language Arts (Hightstown High School)60.148.4
 11.7%
   9th Grade English Language Arts (East Windsor Regional School District)6048.4
 11.6%
   9th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)55.952.1
 3.8%
9th Grade Algebra I (Hightstown High School)15.18.4
 6.7%
   9th Grade Algebra I (East Windsor Regional School District)15.18.4
 6.7%
   9th Grade Algebra I (New Jersey)27.219.2
 8%
9th Grade Geometry (Hightstown High School)43.917.6
 26.3%
   9th Grade Geometry (East Windsor Regional School District)43.917.6
 26.3%
   9th Grade Geometry (New Jersey)59.150
 9.1%
9th Grade Algebra II (Hightstown High School)81.448.2
 33.2%
   9th Grade Algebra II (East Windsor Regional School District)81.448.2
 33.2%
   9th Grade Algebra II (New Jersey)77.665.8
 11.8%
10th Grade Algebra I (Hightstown High School)2.76.7
 4%
   10th Grade Algebra I (East Windsor Regional School District)2.66.7
 4.1%
   10th Grade Algebra I (New Jersey)7.813.2
 5.4%
End of Course Algebra I (Hightstown High School)13.48.3
 5.1%
   End of Course Algebra I (East Windsor Regional School District)40.327.9
 12.4%
   End of Course Algebra I (New Jersey)43.335.1
 8.2%
End of Course Geometry (Hightstown High School)19.117.3
 1.8%
   End of Course Geometry (East Windsor Regional School District)34.741.5
 6.8%
   End of Course Geometry (New Jersey)32.251.2
 19%
End of Course Algebra II (Hightstown High School)56.948.2
 8.7%
   End of Course Algebra II (East Windsor Regional School District)56.948.2
 8.7%
   End of Course Algebra II (New Jersey)56.361.7
 5.4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students16761644
 1.9%
African American174132
 24.1%
American Indian11
Asian292245
 16.1%
Hispanic592802
 35.5%
Pacific Islander33
White591436
 26.2%
Two or More Races2320
 13%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients35.1%36.4%
 1.3%


Schools Near Hightstown High School









Frequently Asked Questions about Hightstown High School

Hightstown High School ranks 285th of 422 New Jersey high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students at Hightstown High School are 49% Hispanic, 27% White, 15% Asian, 8% African American, 1% Two or more races.

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,644 students attended Hightstown 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 New Jersey 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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