Highlands Middle School

Summary:

Highlands Middle School is a public middle school located in Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania, serving grades 5-8 with a total enrollment of 652 students. The school is part of the Highlands School District, which is ranked 425 out of 606 school districts in Pennsylvania and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Highlands Middle School faces several challenges, including below-average academic performance, high dropout rates, and a student population that is not representative of the state's diversity. The school consistently ranks in the bottom half of Pennsylvania middle schools, with only 27.6% of students proficient or better in PSSA Math, compared to the state average of 39.3%. Additionally, the school has a very high percentage of students (100%) receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population. When compared to nearby schools, such as Holiday Park Intermediate School in the Plum Borough School District, which has significantly higher proficiency rates in both Math (61.2%) and English Language Arts (59.7%), Highlands Middle School is clearly underperforming.

The racial makeup of Highlands Middle School is also a concern, with a much higher percentage of white students (73.31%) compared to the state average. The school also has a higher percentage of students identifying as two or more races (13.8%) compared to the state. This lack of diversity is not representative of the broader student population in Pennsylvania. Additionally, the school has experienced a relatively high dropout rate, ranging from 0.8% to 1.4% over the past few years, which is higher than the state average. Addressing these issues will require a comprehensive approach that considers the school's socioeconomic and demographic factors, as well as targeted interventions to improve student outcomes.


Detail:

Public 5-8

 1350 Broadview Boulevard
       Natrona Heights, PA  15065-1198


(724) 226-0600

District: Highlands School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
520th of 893 Pennsylvania Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $17,152 Help


Students who attend Highlands Middle School usually attend:

High:    Highlands Senior High School

Feeder schools for Highlands Middle School:

Elementary:    Highlands Early Childhood Center
    Highlands Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  11.6 Help
Number of students:  652

Racial breakdown:

White:
73.3%
Two or more races:
13.8%
African American:
7.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  100% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Highlands Middle School ranks worse than 58.2% of middle schools in Pennsylvania. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 44.02. (See more...)
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The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (73.3%), two or more races (13.8%), African American (7.7%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Highlands Middle School is 11.6. (See more...)
Help
Compare Highlands Middle School employs 56 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Highlands Middle School is $17,152.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Highlands Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Highlands Middle School 520th of 893 Pennsylvania 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:
Disabled students:
White students:


Highlands School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Highlands School District 425th of 606 Pennsylvania 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 PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 68.51 230th 643 64.2%
2004 53.69 384th 663 42.1%
2005 65.89 267th 687 61.1%
2006 63.33 301st 736 59.1%
2007 61.87 327th 749 56.3%
2008 60.42 348th 753 53.8%
2009 45.41 525th 770 31.8%
2010 52.09 490th 805 39.1%
2011 48.97 529th 825 35.9%
2012 56.72 450th 834 46.0%
2013 51.92 455th 758 40.0%
2014 44.87 466th 728 36.0%
2015 45.48 496th 835 40.6%
2016 42.82 540th 870 37.9%
2017 40.11 553rd 877 36.9%
2018 43.91 524th 861 39.1%
2019 44.18 539th 891 39.5%
2021 50.95 402nd 797 49.6%
2022 39.82 556th 883 37.0%
2023 44.02 520th 893 41.8%
See the entire list of Pennsylvania Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Highlands Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 25.23 144th 187 23.0%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 42.22 518th 874 40.7%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Highlands Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 35.40 409th 660 38.0%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Middle Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for White students at Highlands Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools PA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 28.01 528th 681 22.5%
See the entire list of Best Pennsylvania Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Pennsylvania Dept 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: Pennsylvania Dept of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)
0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Thursday, March 31, 2022

Open Quote The worst!!!
Where do I start?
Incompetent staff, not existent communication with parents unless things already got out of hand. I feel for my kids having to deal with this everyday. Bad reviews everywhere now I understand why. 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
1990 681 21 2 1 1 n/a n/a 0 706
1991 700 23 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 725
1992 715 24 1 0 2 n/a n/a 0 742
1993 783 27 2 1 0 n/a n/a 0 813
1994 804 40 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 845
1995 743 33 5 2 1 n/a n/a 0 784
1996 743 33 5 2 1 n/a n/a 0 784
1997 724 42 4 4 0 n/a n/a 0 774
1998 703 40 3 5 2 n/a n/a 0 753
1999 696 50 3 4 1 n/a n/a 0 754
2000 690 36 4 3 0 n/a n/a 0 733
2001 673 55 4 5 0 n/a n/a 0 737
2002 620 56 3 4 1 n/a n/a 0 684
2003 620 56 3 4 1 n/a n/a 0 684
2004 577 54 4 0 0 n/a n/a 0 635
2005 614 62 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 678
2006 639 72 1 3 1 n/a n/a 0 716
2007 628 62 2 4 3 n/a n/a 0 699
2008 600 58 3 4 2 n/a n/a 2 669
2009 543 56 8 4 1 n/a n/a 5 617
2010 549 61 9 4 2 n/a n/a 5 630
2011 534 55 5 5 4 0 6 0 609
2012 509 55 4 7 4 0 9 0 588
2013 498 57 4 5 3 1 13 0 581
2014 476 51 3 6 0 0 15 0 551
2015 497 52 4 8 0 1 33 0 595
2016 515 52 5 7 0 1 39 0 619
2017 498 49 4 7 3 1 33 0 595
2018 457 56 6 7 1 0 37 0 564
2019 625 81 4 16 3 0 56 0 785
2020 589 70 3 16 2 0 81 0 761
2021 567 62 5 16 4 0 63 0 717
2022 512 59 4 17 4 0 78 0 674
2023 478 50 8 22 4 0 90 0 652

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
1990 706 50.0 14.1 0
1991 725 56.0 12.9 n/a
1992 742 56.0 13.2 n/a
1993 813 48.5 16.8 n/a
1994 845 48.5 17.4 n/a
1995 784 46.5 16.9 n/a
1996 784 46.5 16.9 n/a
1997 774 51.0 15.2 n/a
1998 753 51.0 14.8 n/a
1999 754 50.0 15.1 n/a
2000 733 49.0 15.0 39.2
2001 737 49.5 14.9 39.8
2002 684 54.0 12.7 40.2
2003 684 54.0 12.7 40.2
2004 635 54.0 11.8 43.3
2005 678 52.0 13.0 40.6
2006 716 51.0 14.0 47.9
2007 699 55.0 12.7 48.1
2008 669 64.0 10.5 49.5
2009 617 54.6 11.3 47.7
2010 630 52.6 11.9 60.2
2011 609 52.3 11.6 61.6
2012 588 50.8 11.5 45.1
2013 581 48.3 12.0 52.3
2014 551 47.3 11.6 61.7
2015 595 49.0 12.1 99.5
2016 619 43.0 14.3 100
2017 595 39.0 15.2 100
2018 564 45.0 12.5 92.2
2019 785 55.8 14.0 100
2020 761 56.3 13.5 100
2021 717 56.4 12.6 99.6
2022 674 53.6 12.5 99.6
2023 652 56.0 11.6 100

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
1990 706 50.0 14.1 0
1991 725 56.0 12.9 n/a
1992 742 56.0 13.2 n/a
1993 813 48.5 16.8 n/a
1994 845 48.5 17.4 n/a
1995 784 46.5 16.9 n/a
1996 784 46.5 16.9 n/a
1997 774 51.0 15.2 n/a
1998 753 51.0 14.8 n/a
1999 754 50.0 15.1 n/a
2000 733 49.0 15.0 39.2
2001 737 49.5 14.9 39.8
2002 684 54.0 12.7 40.2
2003 684 54.0 12.7 40.2
2004 635 54.0 11.8 43.3
2005 678 52.0 13.0 40.6
2006 716 51.0 14.0 47.9
2007 699 55.0 12.7 48.1
2008 669 64.0 10.5 49.5
2009 617 54.6 11.3 47.7
2010 630 52.6 11.9 60.2
2011 609 52.3 11.6 61.6
2012 588 50.8 11.5 45.1
2013 581 48.3 12.0 52.3
2014 551 47.3 11.6 61.7
2015 595 49.0 12.1 99.5
2016 619 43.0 14.3 100
2017 595 39.0 15.2 100
2018 564 45.0 12.5 92.2
2019 785 55.8 14.0 100
2020 761 56.3 13.5 100
2021 717 56.4 12.6 99.6
2022 674 53.6 12.5 99.6
2023 652 56.0 11.6 100

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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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $355 (2.4%) $14,422 (97.6%) $14,776
2020 $106 (0.7%) $15,111 (99.3%) $15,218
2021 $392 (2.6%) $14,920 (97.4%) $15,312
2022 $1,204 (7.0%) $15,947 (93.0%) $17,152

Data source: Pennsylvania 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 539th of 891 Middle schoolsRanks 520th of 893 Middle schools
 2.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
5th Grade Math (Highlands Middle School)41.737.2
 4.5%
   5th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)4342.7
 0.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Highlands Middle School)51.148.9
 2.2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)58.553.6
 4.9%
6th Grade Math (Highlands Middle School)31.329.9
 1.4%
   6th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)3936.4
 2.6%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Highlands Middle School)58.544.2
 14.3%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)6355.6
 7.4%
7th Grade Math (Highlands Middle School)25.522.9
 2.6%
   7th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)38.233.2
 5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Highlands Middle School)57.146.4
 10.7%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)60.554.5
 6%
8th Grade Math (Highlands Middle School)24.521
 3.5%
   8th Grade Math (Pennsylvania)32.226
 6.2%
8th Grade Science (Highlands Middle School)48.450.7
 2.3%
   8th Grade Science (Pennsylvania)58.257
 1.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Highlands Middle School)50.348.3
 2%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)57.952.8
 5.1%
All Grades Math (Highlands Middle School)31.227.6
 3.6%
   All Grades Math (Pennsylvania)42.439.3
 3.1%
All Grades Science (Highlands Middle School)48.450.7
 2.3%
   All Grades Science (Pennsylvania)6865.6
 2.4%
All Grades English Language Arts (Highlands Middle School)54.347.1
 7.2%
   All Grades English Language Arts (Pennsylvania)60.953.8
 7.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students785652
 16.9%
African American8150
 38.3%
American Indian34
 33.3%
Asian48
 100%
Hispanic1622
 37.5%
Pacific Islander00
White625478
 23.5%
Two or More Races5690
 60.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients100%100%


Schools Near Highlands Middle School









Frequently Asked Questions about Highlands Middle School

In the 2022-23 school year, 652 students attended Highlands Middle School.

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

Students at Highlands Middle School are 73% White, 14% Two or more races, 8% African American, 3% Hispanic, 1% Asian.

Highlands Middle School ranks 520th of 893 Pennsylvania middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 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 Pennsylvania 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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