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Highlands Elementary School

Public Grades K-5

1065^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,160 Washington Elementary Schools

Better than 8% of Washington elementary schools

Summary

Highlands Elementary School is a K-5 public school serving 386 students in the Renton School District, located in a neighborhood with significant economic need where approximately 70% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

Academically, the school faces considerable challenges, with only about a quarter of students proficient in English and Math, placing it in the bottom 10% of elementary schools in Washington. This performance is significantly lower than other schools in the area, such as the highly-ranked Sartori Elementary School and Maplewood Heights Elementary School, and even below Honey Dew Elementary, which serves a similarly economically disadvantaged student population. The school's performance has declined notably since before the pandemic.

An interesting finding is that despite receiving the highest per-student funding in the district at over $24,000 per pupil—more than many higher-performing nearby schools—student outcomes remain poor. This suggests factors beyond funding, such as instructional quality or specific programs, are critical. There are signs of effective strategies, however, as the school has shown recent improvement in supporting its English Language Learner students. The data indicates that addressing grade-level challenges, particularly a steep drop in 4th-grade scores, and learning from other successful schools within the Renton School District could be key pathways for improvement.

386

Students ?

14.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$24,279

Per pupil spending ?

70.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2720 NE 7th St
Renton, WA 98056-3714

(425) 204-4600

District: Renton School District

Students who attend Highlands Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	McKnight Middle School
High:	Renton Senior High School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

58.3%

Asian:

11.4%

African American:

10.6%

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Compare Highlands Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 15th percentile in 2015 → 8th in 2025

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Washington average (25% vs 48% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (8th percentile)

!Ranking has slipped — down 7 percentile points since 2015

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school25%

District avg44%

Washington avg48%

1,065^th of 1,160

Washington public elementary schools ?

Bottom 8%▼ down 7 pts since 2015

From bottom 15% (2015) to bottom 8% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Washington Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

16^th of 16Elementary Schools in the Renton School District

133^rd of 247Renton School District among Washington districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	12.0	1065 of 1160	8.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	12.7	1073 of 1168	8.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	9.4	1113 of 1169	4.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	13.9	1046 of 1169	10.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	12.5	1011 of 1107	8.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	20.5	926 of 1130	18.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	15.1	937 of 1054	11.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	16.8	921 of 1056	12.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	22.8	861 of 1053	18.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	19.7	905 of 1067	15.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	36.6	748 of 1106	32.4%	★★☆☆☆
2012	24.0	918 of 1097	16.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	21.3	939 of 1092	14.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	13.1	1012 of 1088	7.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2009	14.1	980 of 1072	8.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2008	9.6	1011 of 1067	5.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2007	11.7	999 of 1069	6.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2006	12.7	980 of 1051	6.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2005	18.8	883 of 1031	14.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	16.5	906 of 1026	11.7%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2022	45.0	53 of 108	50.9%	★★★☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2024	24.9	123 of 163	24.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	47.9	108 of 187	42.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	56.5	88 of 201	56.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	19.8	150 of 169	11.2%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	39.8	171 of 303	43.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	19.2	283 of 320	11.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	15.2	237 of 254	6.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	47.1	106 of 248	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	36.0	226 of 333	32.1%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	11.7	1021 of 1092	6.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	16.5	957 of 1093	12.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	9.2	1048 of 1094	4.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	16.7	964 of 1100	12.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	14.2	920 of 1008	8.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	17.7	927 of 1068	13.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	19.2	849 of 1004	15.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	13.2	621 of 659	5.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	13.3	609 of 651	6.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	8.2	622 of 633	1.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	15.4	663 of 694	4.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	19.0	446 of 501	11.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	23.9	582 of 697	16.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	13.3	519 of 540	3.9%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	14.1	944 of 1013	6.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	16.2	936 of 1024	8.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	11.7	968 of 1013	4.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	17.7	925 of 1019	9.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	8.7	841 of 854	1.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	22.9	840 of 979	14.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	18.8	760 of 835	9.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2025	12.9	1008 of 1098	8.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	11.2	1028 of 1099	6.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	10.2	1044 of 1099	5.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	16.1	978 of 1113	12.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	10.0	975 of 1025	4.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	26.4	835 of 1075	22.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	14.8	905 of 999	9.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2022	27.9	368 of 478	23.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	20.8	500 of 566	11.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	43.1	342 of 637	46.3%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Washington percentile	Rating
2022	25.5	821 of 1031	20.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	44.9	609 of 1027	40.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	52.3	413 of 833	50.4%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

African American (2022)51st percentile+40 vs school

English Language Learner (2025)44th percentile+35 vs school

Asian (2024)25th percentile+16 vs school

Special Education (2022)23rd percentile+12 vs school

White (2022)20th percentile+10 vs school

Male (2025)8th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)7th percentile~ school

Female (2025)7th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2025)6th percentile~ school

By subject vs Washington (2024-2025) ?

Math27%-15 vs state

English Language Arts25%-28 vs state

Science21%-28 vs state

★

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Schools Near Highlands Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Immunizations Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				WCAS Science (2025)		SBAC English Language Arts (2025)				SBAC Math (2025)				% Completely Immunized (2024)	% Polio (2024)	% Measles (2024)	% Mumps (2024)	% Rubella (2024)	% Diphtheria (2024)	% Hepatitis B (2024)	% Varicella (2024)	% Pertussis (2024)	% Tetanus (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	WCAS Science 5th Grade	WCAS Science All Grades	SBAC English Language Arts 3rd Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 4th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts 5th Grade	SBAC English Language Arts All Grades	SBAC Math 3rd Grade	SBAC Math 4th Grade	SBAC Math 5th Grade	SBAC Math All Grades	% Completely Immunized KG	% Polio KG	% Measles KG	% Mumps KG	% Rubella KG	% Diphtheria KG	% Hepatitis B KG	% Varicella KG	% Pertussis KG	% Tetanus KG	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Highlands Elementary School	Public	K-5	2720 NE 7th St	Renton	98056	King County	Renton School District	No	No	No	Yes	(425) 204-4600	386	27	14.5	70.2%	33 (8.5%)	41 (10.6%)	225 (58.3%)	44 (11.4%)	1 (0.3%)	3 (0.8%)	39 (10.1%)	12	1065^th of 1160 public elementary schools	8.2%		12.7	1073^rd of 1168 public elementary schools	8.1%	8	21.1	21.1	36.6	16.7	21.1	25.3	39.4	22.7	17.5	27.3	86.7	86.7	90.0	90.0	90.0	90.0	91.7	90.0	90.0	90.0	$24,279	$2,823	$21,456
Honey Dew Elementary	Public	K-5	800 Union Ave NE	Renton	98058	King County	Renton School District	No	No	No	Yes	(425) 204-4800	276	18	15.4	71.0%	31 (11.2%)	26 (9.4%)	156 (56.5%)	30 (10.9%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.4%)	26 (9.4%)	14.6	1031^st of 1160 public elementary schools	11.1%		13.2	1063^rd of 1168 public elementary schools	9.0%	32	34.0	34.0	11.1	28.6	40.4	27.0	20.5	26.5	31.9	26.4	97.7	97.7	100.0	100.0	100.0	97.7	97.7	100.0	97.7	97.7	$26,031	$3,095	$22,936
Sartori Elementary School	Public, Magnet	K-5	332 Park Ave N	Renton	98057	King County	Renton School District	No	Yes	No	No	(425) 204-4500	510	29	17.3	28.4%	130 (25.5%)	58 (11.4%)	83 (16.3%)	151 (29.6%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	86 (16.9%)	87.8	132^nd of 1160 public elementary schools	88.6%		83.2	186^th of 1168 public elementary schools	84.1%	54	69.1	69.1	61.9	75.6	74.1	70.5	76.2	81.7	66.7	74.9	96.3	97.5	97.5	97.5	97.5	98.8	96.3	97.5	98.8	98.8	$19,836	$946	$18,890
Hilltop Heritage Elementary School	Public	K-5	1075 Duvall Ave NE	Renton	98059	King County	Renton School District	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(425) 204-3000	576	33	17.6	48.4%	118 (20.5%)	35 (6.1%)	204 (35.4%)	149 (25.9%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (0.9%)	65 (11.3%)	59.3	441^st of 1160 public elementary schools	62.0%		46.5	603^rd of 1168 public elementary schools	48.4%	162	54.5	54.5	44.6	50.6	58.0	51.7	63.5	54.1	52.5	56.2	88.8	89.9	91.0	91.0	91.0	89.9	94.4	91.0	89.9	89.9	$19,789	$959	$18,831
Kennydale Elementary School	Public	K-5	1700 NE 28th St	Renton	98056	King County	Renton School District	No	No	No	No	(425) 204-4700	511	31	16.5	39.3%	117 (22.9%)	36 (7.0%)	173 (33.9%)	110 (21.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	74 (14.5%)	58.9	448^th of 1160 public elementary schools	61.4%		65.1	383^rd of 1168 public elementary schools	67.2%	65	57.6	57.6	45.8	51.2	57.1	51.8	49.4	58.8	57.6	55.5	91.5	91.5	93.2	93.2	93.2	93.2	94.9	93.2	93.2	93.2	$19,922	$1,478	$18,444
Sierra Heights Elementary School	Public	K-5	9901 132nd Ave SE	Renton	98059	King County	Renton School District	No	No	No	No	(425) 204-4650	323	22	14.9	53.9%	70 (21.7%)	24 (7.4%)	140 (43.3%)	55 (17.0%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	32 (9.9%)	21.6	954^th of 1160 public elementary schools	17.8%		25.2	896^th of 1168 public elementary schools	23.3%	58	41.4	41.4	20.3	37.5	33.9	30.5	40.7	39.3	23.7	34.5	90.4	96.2	94.2	94.2	94.2	94.2	96.2	92.3	94.2	94.2	$23,710	$1,506	$22,205
Maplewood Heights Elementary School	Public	K-5	130 Jericho Ave SE	Renton	98059	King County	Renton School District	No	No	No	No	(425) 204-4750	395	25	16.0	19.5%	147 (37.2%)	17 (4.3%)	58 (14.7%)	118 (29.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	55 (13.9%)	85.2	167^th of 1160 public elementary schools	85.6%		85.2	161^st of 1168 public elementary schools	86.2%	6	73.0	73.0	60.9	72.9	74.6	69.4	60.9	73.8	77.8	70.7	97.2	97.2	97.2	97.2	97.2	97.2	97.2	97.2	97.2	97.2	$21,010	$1,442	$19,569
Apollo Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	15025 SE 117th St	Renton	98059	King County	Issaquah School District	No	No	No	Yes	(425) 837-7500	496	34	14.5	16.9%	163 (32.9%)	8 (1.6%)	74 (14.9%)	191 (38.5%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	58 (11.7%)	92.4	82^nd of 1160 public elementary schools	92.9%		90.4	108^th of 1168 public elementary schools	90.8%	26	79.3	79.3	75.3	77.4	80.5	77.7	74.1	73.1	75.6	74.2	98.4	98.4	98.4	98.4	98.4	98.4	98.4	98.4	98.4	98.4	$21,449	$541	$20,908
Tiffany Park Elementary School	Public	K-5	1601 Lake Youngs Way SE	Renton	98058	King County	Renton School District	No	No	No	Yes	(425) 204-4850	379	27	14.1	62.0%	96 (25.3%)	41 (10.8%)	97 (25.6%)	107 (28.2%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (9.8%)	36.5	722^nd of 1160 public elementary schools	37.8%		36.5	732^nd of 1168 public elementary schools	37.3%	10	32.0	32.0	40.4	48.0	39.2	42.0	57.9	49.0	29.3	43.7	90.6	92.5	94.3	94.3	94.3	92.5	96.2	94.3	92.5	92.5	$23,640	$2,193	$21,448
Bryn Mawr Elementary School	Public	K-5	8212 S 118th St	Seattle	98178	King County	Renton School District	No	No	No	Yes	(425) 204-4150	415	25	16.8	62.2%	51 (12.3%)	77 (18.6%)	142 (34.2%)	79 (19.0%)	4 (1.0%)	15 (3.6%)	47 (11.3%)	19.5	973^rd of 1160 public elementary schools	16.1%		24.3	906^th of 1168 public elementary schools	22.4%	67	27.8	27.8	35.2	31.5	33.3	33.5	46.5	31.5	22.2	34.6	89.4	93.9	93.9	93.9	93.9	92.4	97.0	95.5	92.4	92.4	$22,408	$1,608	$20,800

Frequently Asked Questions about Highlands Elementary School

Is Highlands Elementary School a good school?

Highlands Elementary School ranks in the bottom 8.2% of Washington elementary schools.

What is the racial makeup of Highlands Elementary School?

Students at Highlands Elementary School are 58% Hispanic, 11% Asian, 11% African American, 10% Two or more races, 9% White.

How many students attend Highlands Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 386 students attended Highlands Elementary School.

What district is Highlands Elementary School in?

Renton School District

What schools do graduates of Highlands Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Highlands Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : McKnight Middle School
High : Renton Senior High School

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Washington State Department of Health and the Washington Office of Superindentent of Public Instruction.

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.