Highland Middle School

Highland Middle School is a public middle school located in Riverside, Iowa, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 112 students. The school is part of the Highland Community School District, which is ranked 213 out of 313 districts in Iowa and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Highland Middle School has consistently performed above the state average in ISASP (Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress) test scores across various subjects and grade levels. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, the school had 84.4% of 6th graders proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 72.8%. In mathematics, 75.6% of 6th graders were proficient or better, compared to the state average of 71.8%. The school has also maintained a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 14.1 to 14.6 over the past few years, suggesting that students may have more individualized attention and support from their teachers.

When compared to the nearby schools, such as Northwest Junior High School and Southeast Junior High School, both part of the Iowa City Community School District, Highland Middle School generally outperforms them in terms of test scores and state rankings. Additionally, the school has a relatively low percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 12.04% to 14.29% over the past few years, suggesting that it serves a population with a higher socioeconomic status compared to some of the nearby schools.