Highland Park Elementary

Summary:

Highland Park Elementary is a public elementary school in Austin, Texas, serving 638 students from kindergarten to 5th grade. The school is part of the Austin Independent School District (AISD), which is ranked 554 out of 968 districts in Texas.

Highland Park Elementary consistently ranks among the top elementary schools in Texas, with a statewide ranking between 58 and 152 over the past 10 years. The school has maintained a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger, indicating exceptional academic performance. In the 2023-2024 school year, Highland Park outperformed the AISD and Texas state averages in STAAR testing across all grade levels and subjects. For example, in 5th-grade STAAR Reading, 81.58% of Highland Park students were proficient or better, compared to 62.05% for AISD and 53.96% for the state. The school also performs exceptionally well across various student subgroups, including female students, male students, Asian students, White students, multi-racial students, and special education students.

Compared to nearby schools in the AISD district, such as Wooten Elementary, Ridgetop Elementary, and Gullett Elementary, Highland Park outperforms them in academic performance and statewide rankings. However, one exception is Bryker Woods Elementary, which also performs exceptionally well and is ranked among the top elementary schools in Texas. In contrast, a nearby charter school, Helping Hand, performs significantly lower than Highland Park and the state averages in STAAR testing.


Detail:

Public K-5

 4900 Fairview Dr
       Austin, TX  78731-5422


(512) 414-2090

District: Austin Independent School District (Isd)

SchoolDigger Rank:
152nd of 4,675 Texas Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,132 Help


Students who attend Highland Park Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Lamar Middle
High:    McCallum High School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.1 Help
Number of students:  638

Racial breakdown:

White:
71.3%
Hispanic:
16.8%
Two or more races:
6.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  6.1% Help


 See top rated Texas elementary schools

 Compare Highland Park Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Highland Park Elementary ranks better than 96.7% of elementary schools in Texas. It also ranks 3rd among 77 ranked elementary schools in the Austin Independent School District (Isd). (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 95.78. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (71.3%), Hispanic (16.8%), two or more races (6.4%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 6.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Highland Park Elementary is 16.1. 43 elementary schools in the Austin Independent School District (Isd) have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Highland Park Elementary employs 39.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Highland Park Elementary is $10,132. 71 elementary schools in the Austin Independent School District (Isd) spend more per student.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Highland Park Elementary was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Austin Independent School District (Isd):

SchoolDigger ranks Austin Independent School District (Isd) 554th of 968 Texas school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Highland Park Elementary?

Rank History for Highland Park Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Highland Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 86.33 127th 3465 96.3%
2005 87.41 94th 3475 97.3%
2006 83.12 257th 3476 92.6%
2007 82.97 263rd 3724 92.9%
2008 87.10 109th 3768 97.1%
2009 86.30 130th 3884 96.7%
2010 83.40 251st 3937 93.6%
2011 84.94 185th 4095 95.5%
2012 93.35 64th 4206 98.5%
2013 94.75 28th 4221 99.3%
2014 92.50 85th 4260 98.0%
2015 93.01 58th 4320 98.7%
2016 91.19 146th 4286 96.6%
2017 98.03 81st 4329 98.1%
2018 97.30 87th 4359 98.0%
2019 91.74 290th 4479 93.5%
2021 92.22 308th 4578 93.3%
2022 96.66 105th 4581 97.7%
2023 97.57 70th 4647 98.5%
2024 95.78 152nd 4675 96.7%
See the entire list of Texas Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Highland Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 93.40 25th 1046 97.6%
2019 69.42 276th 1112 75.2%
2021 92.11 37th 961 96.1%
2022 85.26 88th 1004 91.2%
2023 84.64 110th 1099 90.0%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Highland Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 94.99 51st 3558 98.6%
2019 68.82 616th 3684 83.3%
2021 80.06 321st 3799 91.6%
2022 91.91 126th 3952 96.8%
2023 93.98 104th 4086 97.5%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Highland Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 46.92 2234th 4264 47.6%
2019 54.63 1726th 4309 59.9%
2021 71.09 797th 4451 82.1%
2022 80.84 429th 4477 90.4%
2023 48.78 2258th 4521 50.1%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Highland Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 96.66 84th 4306 98.0%
2019 91.70 244th 4348 94.4%
2021 89.57 357th 4499 92.1%
2022 95.25 122nd 4561 97.3%
2023 95.43 126th 4588 97.3%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Highland Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 74.47 516th 3106 83.4%
2019 72.91 605th 3184 81.0%
2021 72.95 774th 3006 74.3%
2022 73.74 507th 2958 82.9%
2023 75.66 259th 2980 91.3%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for At Risk students at Highland Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 66.73 940th 4240 77.8%
2019 37.66 2843rd 4295 33.8%
2021 46.69 2076th 4331 52.1%
2022 87.72 240th 4461 94.6%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for At Risk Students!

Rank History for Male students at Highland Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 96.26 106th 4319 97.5%
2019 88.52 364th 4357 91.6%
2021 90.83 331st 4498 92.6%
2022 96.11 98th 4563 97.9%
2023 97.81 47th 4585 99.0%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Highland Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 88.78 19th 1005 98.1%
2019 54.35 501st 1009 50.3%
2021 89.04 44th 967 95.4%
2022 84.98 38th 957 96.0%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Highland Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 73.72 711th 4168 82.9%
2019 53.01 1791st 4188 57.2%
2021 72.58 783rd 4329 81.9%
2022 87.35 278th 4376 93.6%
2023 93.01 132nd 4401 97.0%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Highland Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools TX State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 91.98 89th 3127 97.2%
2019 84.14 282nd 3142 91.0%
2021 80.17 370th 3082 88.0%
2022 90.63 83rd 3082 97.3%
2023 91.67 82nd 3106 97.4%
See the entire list of Best Texas Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Texas Education Agency, 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.

Highland Park Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
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Data source: Texas Education Agency

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
33%

0%

33%

0%

33%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Open Quote My daughter went here. High parental involvement makes this school so successful. Close Quote


by a parent
Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Open Quote Heaven of the bullies.
Teachers and caretakers protect them punishing the abused kids.

We're much happier now once we moved our child out of there. Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, May 1, 2015

Open Quote There are some things about Highland Park that are great. The community of parents are super involved and friendly, the PE program blew my mind, the kids are fantastic, the PTA provides great resources, etc. However, after a year and half at Highland Park, we have decided to buy a house in another district, mostly because we want a different school. In talking with other parents, we know we are not the only ones. Here is why:

* I feel like the school does not want free thinkers. "Hands behind your back, bubble in your mouth" is strictly enforced, and kids walk around like they are in a prison yard. I know that this is common practice (we have experience at another school as well), but nothing like I've seen here.

* The test scores are great - for a reason. Excessive test preparation and stress leading up to the test is not how I want my little one to learn in the very young years.

* I believe homework assigned is excessive. First grade averages close to ONE HOUR a day. This is not just our experience with our teacher. The amount seems to be about double what we experienced in another city and what we hear is routine for our new school in the district (also top rated). Research says 10 min. or so a day in first grade http://tiny.cc/ssvmxx. We routinely get 40 math problems along with 20 minutes of reading and some work sheets.

* The teachers and administration are very much of the "old school" (see above). Taking away recess is routinely given as punishment to kids for things like taking home the wrong papers (in our instance). Everyday you will see kids sitting on the side watching other kids play as punishment. If they say a word, they are given 5 minutes extra time to sit out. Again, research shows that this is a TERRIBLE way to punish kids (see the Atlantic -http://tiny.cc/90vmxx). Recess is like a class for social development and exercise. I actually think it is the most important thing they do all day.

All in all, I don't recommend Highland Park for students or parents if you have other alternatives. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Highland Park Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 417 6 2 23 0 n/a n/a 0 448
1990 446 11 5 29 1 n/a n/a 0 492
1991 468 11 8 31 0 n/a n/a 0 518
1992 496 10 11 41 0 n/a n/a 0 558
1993 496 8 8 39 0 n/a n/a 0 551
1994 539 13 12 42 0 n/a n/a 0 606
1995 549 13 9 41 1 n/a n/a 0 613
1996 549 13 9 41 1 n/a n/a 0 613
1997 548 14 10 39 0 n/a n/a 0 611
1998 519 14 8 34 0 n/a n/a 0 575
1999 535 13 5 29 0 n/a n/a 0 582
2000 491 8 7 28 1 n/a n/a 0 535
2001 486 9 11 27 0 n/a n/a 0 533
2002 443 6 20 36 0 n/a n/a 0 505
2003 443 6 20 36 0 n/a n/a 0 505
2004 434 10 18 39 0 n/a n/a 0 501
2005 422 7 23 41 0 n/a n/a 0 493
2006 411 8 38 55 0 n/a n/a 0 512
2007 436 11 31 54 0 n/a n/a 0 532
2008 456 13 28 62 0 n/a n/a 0 559
2009 486 11 29 73 2 n/a n/a 0 601
2010 502 14 29 89 3 n/a n/a 0 637
2011 502 11 25 98 1 0 25 0 662
2012 493 12 23 97 0 0 25 0 650
2013 521 8 19 102 2 0 26 0 678
2014 519 7 21 93 1 0 31 0 672
2015 493 5 27 83 1 0 31 0 640
2016 477 5 29 78 1 1 31 0 622
2017 494 2 32 90 0 1 33 0 652
2018 490 4 29 90 0 1 27 0 641
2019 484 4 35 92 0 1 35 0 651
2020 494 4 33 90 0 2 32 0 655
2021 478 6 39 95 1 1 40 0 660
2022 488 6 32 90 1 0 38 0 655
2023 455 4 30 107 1 0 41 0 638

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 Highland Park Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 448 n/a n/a n/a
1990 492 28.0 17.5 n/a
1991 518 28.2 18.3 n/a
1992 558 32.0 17.4 3
1993 551 32.0 17.2 2.7
1994 606 38.8 15.6 4
1995 613 39.4 15.6 1.8
1996 613 39.4 15.6 1.8
1997 611 38.0 16.1 1.5
1998 575 34.0 16.9 1.6
1999 582 35.9 16.2 3.1
2000 535 37.5 14.3 3.2
2001 533 37.6 14.2 3.2
2002 505 37.7 13.4 3
2003 505 37.7 13.4 3
2004 501 32.6 15.4 2
2005 493 31.7 15.6 2.6
2006 512 33.6 15.2 4.3
2007 532 34.8 15.3 5.5
2008 559 36.8 15.2 5.2
2009 601 40.7 14.7 7.3
2010 637 42.0 15.1 7.7
2011 662 43.0 15.3 6.3
2012 650 42.6 15.2 5.5
2013 678 43.0 15.7 5.3
2014 672 44.7 15.0 5.1
2015 640 40.0 16.0 5.8
2016 622 42.0 14.8 4.8
2017 652 39.4 16.5 4.4
2018 641 39.5 16.1 5.6
2019 651 39.6 16.4 6.9
2020 655 40.3 16.2 6.6
2021 660 41.9 15.7 10.9
2022 655 40.8 16.0 6.4
2023 638 39.5 16.1 6.1

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 Highland Park Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 448 n/a n/a n/a
1990 492 28.0 17.5 n/a
1991 518 28.2 18.3 n/a
1992 558 32.0 17.4 3
1993 551 32.0 17.2 2.7
1994 606 38.8 15.6 4
1995 613 39.4 15.6 1.8
1996 613 39.4 15.6 1.8
1997 611 38.0 16.1 1.5
1998 575 34.0 16.9 1.6
1999 582 35.9 16.2 3.1
2000 535 37.5 14.3 3.2
2001 533 37.6 14.2 3.2
2002 505 37.7 13.4 3
2003 505 37.7 13.4 3
2004 501 32.6 15.4 2
2005 493 31.7 15.6 2.6
2006 512 33.6 15.2 4.3
2007 532 34.8 15.3 5.5
2008 559 36.8 15.2 5.2
2009 601 40.7 14.7 7.3
2010 637 42.0 15.1 7.7
2011 662 43.0 15.3 6.3
2012 650 42.6 15.2 5.5
2013 678 43.0 15.7 5.3
2014 672 44.7 15.0 5.1
2015 640 40.0 16.0 5.8
2016 622 42.0 14.8 4.8
2017 652 39.4 16.5 4.4
2018 641 39.5 16.1 5.6
2019 651 39.6 16.4 6.9
2020 655 40.3 16.2 6.6
2021 660 41.9 15.7 10.9
2022 655 40.8 16.0 6.4
2023 638 39.5 16.1 6.1

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 Highland Park Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $741 (8.3%) $8,220 (91.7%) $8,961
2020 $759 (8.5%) $8,178 (91.5%) $8,938
2021 $475 (4.7%) $9,658 (95.3%) $10,132

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Highland Park Elementary

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 290th of 4479 Elementary schoolsRanks 70th of 4647 Elementary schools
 5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Reading (Highland Park Elementary)6880
 12%
   3rd Grade Reading (Austin Independent School District (Isd))5157
 6%
   3rd Grade Reading (Texas)4450
 6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Highland Park Elementary)6679
 13%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Austin Independent School District (Isd))5246
 6%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Texas)4843
 5%
4th Grade Reading (Highland Park Elementary)6685
 19%
   4th Grade Reading (Austin Independent School District (Isd))5058
 8%
   4th Grade Reading (Texas)4347
 4%
4th Grade Mathematics (Highland Park Elementary)6278
 16%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Austin Independent School District (Isd))4951
 2%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Texas)4647
 1%
5th Grade Reading (Highland Park Elementary)7986
 7%
   5th Grade Reading (Austin Independent School District (Isd))5664
 8%
   5th Grade Reading (Texas)5156
 5%
5th Grade Mathematics (Highland Park Elementary)8188
 7%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Austin Independent School District (Isd))5853
 5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Texas)5650
 6%
5th Grade Science (Highland Park Elementary)7176
 5%
   5th Grade Science (Austin Independent School District (Isd))4840
 8%
   5th Grade Science (Texas)4834
 14%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students651638
 2%
African American44
American Indian01
Asian3530
 14.3%
Hispanic92107
 16.3%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White484455
 6%
Two or More Races3541
 17.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients6.9%6.1%
 0.8%


Schools Near Highland Park Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Highland Park Elementary

Students at Highland Park Elementary are 71% White, 17% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 5% Asian.

In the 2022-23 school year, 638 students attended Highland Park Elementary.

Students who attend Highland Park Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Lamar Middle
High : McCallum High School

Yes! Highland Park Elementary is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 152nd of 4675 Texas elementary schools.


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

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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