Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Highland Elementary School

Q: Is Highland Elementary School a good school?

Highland Elementary School ranks 506 th of 686 Alabama elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-6

506^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 686 Alabama Elementary Schools

Better than 26% of Alabama elementary schools

Summary

Highland Elementary School is a small PK-6 school in Gadsden, AL, serving 216 students within the Etowah County district, where about 54% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Highland has seen a significant decline in its statewide ranking over the past few years, dropping from the 55th percentile in 2022-2023 to the 26th percentile for 2025-2026. This places it behind several nearby schools serving similar communities, including Mitchell Elementary (72nd percentile) and Donehoo Elementary (65th percentile) in the Gadsden City district, as well as Gaston Elementary (53rd percentile) in its own district. The most striking pattern is a dramatic gap between subjects: while English proficiency is close to district averages (e.g., 61% in 3rd grade vs. 74% district-wide), math proficiency is severely lagging. In 2025-2026, 4th-grade math proficiency was 0%, and 5th and 6th grades were at 16% and 15%, respectively—far below district and state averages. There is also a consistent "4th-grade cliff" where math scores plummet between 3rd and 4th grade, suggesting a possible curriculum or transition issue.

Another concern is chronic absenteeism, which sits at 18.3%—more than double the rate at Gaston (7.2%) and Duck Springs Elementary (5.6%), and well above the state average of 12%. The school also shows a significant gender gap, with female students ranking in the 31st percentile and male students in the 11th percentile. Notably, per-student spending at Highland ($10,660) is higher than at Gaston ($7,023), suggesting that funding alone isn't the issue. For parents, the key takeaway is that Highland has strengths in reading but needs urgent attention in math instruction, student attendance, and support for male students to reverse its downward trend.

216

Students ?

18.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,660

Per pupil spending ?

53.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

3156 Tabor Rd
Gadsden, AL 35904

(256) 546-7409

District: Etowah County

Students who attend Highland Elementary School usually attend:

High:

Gaston High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

85.6%

Two or more races:

7.9%

African American:

3.2%

See top rated Alabama elementary schools

Compare Highland Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 49th percentile in 2016 → 26th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Alabama average (35% vs 51% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 23 percentile points since 2016

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school35%

District avg57%

Alabama avg51%

506^th of 686

Alabama public elementary schools ?

Bottom 26%▼ down 23 pts since 2016

From bottom 49% (2016) to bottom 26% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Alabama Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

10^th of 11Elementary Schools in the Etowah County

60^th of 140Etowah County among Alabama 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	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	27.3	506 of 686	26.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	40.7	419 of 680	38.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	45.3	390 of 684	43.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	55.1	308 of 680	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	53.8	325 of 687	52.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	47.3	365 of 692	47.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	52.7	332 of 681	51.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	59.3	286 of 680	57.9%	★★★☆☆
2017	56.0	302 of 688	56.1%	★★★☆☆
2016	49.2	352 of 691	49.1%	★★☆☆☆
2015	30.6	508 of 691	26.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	31.8	509 of 695	26.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	48.0	461 of 696	33.8%	★★☆☆☆
2012	40.1	510 of 696	26.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	48.5	441 of 709	37.8%	★★☆☆☆
2010	27.7	586 of 704	16.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	41.9	468 of 696	32.8%	★★☆☆☆
2008	58.6	292 of 698	58.2%	★★★☆☆
2007	60.4	296 of 698	57.6%	★★★☆☆
2006	53.8	331 of 689	52.0%	★★★☆☆
2005	43.4	438 of 688	36.3%	★★☆☆☆
2004	50.0	334 of 623	46.4%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	33.9	450 of 651	30.9%	★★☆☆☆
2025	46.4	361 of 649	44.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	55.0	285 of 650	56.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	58.7	257 of 645	60.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	49.3	333 of 656	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	41.6	414 of 646	35.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	49.7	347 of 640	45.8%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	22.3	545 of 667	18.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	45.0	380 of 660	42.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	40.6	420 of 670	37.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	52.9	295 of 623	52.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	60.5	240 of 651	63.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	52.1	317 of 653	51.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	68.1	158 of 649	75.7%	★★★★☆
2018	65.5	191 of 651	70.7%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	13.9	586 of 659	11.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	39.0	410 of 651	37.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	44.4	379 of 655	42.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	46.5	358 of 649	44.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	37.2	419 of 669	37.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	30.3	463 of 669	30.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	74.9	130 of 650	80.0%	★★★★☆
2018	60.2	261 of 650	59.8%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Alabama percentile	Rating
2026	10.4	481 of 501	4.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	22.2	461 of 532	13.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	29.2	418 of 535	21.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	39.3	336 of 528	36.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	38.1	338 of 540	37.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	36.3	349 of 539	35.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	31.4	391 of 529	26.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	34.2	362 of 508	28.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	26.0	305 of 369	17.3%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

Female (2026)31st percentile+5 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)18th percentile-8 vs school

Male (2026)11th percentile-15 vs school

White (2026)4th percentile-22 vs school

By subject vs Alabama (2025-2026) ?

English53%-10 vs state

Science45%-5 vs state

Mathematics15%-25 vs state

5.0

1 rating

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Rate Highland Elementary School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Highland Elementary School

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				Summative Assessment Mathematics (2026)				Summative Assessment Science (2026)	Summative Assessment English (2026)				Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
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 (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Summative Assessment Mathematics 3rd Grade	Summative Assessment Mathematics 4th Grade	Summative Assessment Mathematics 5th Grade	Summative Assessment Mathematics 6th Grade	Summative Assessment Science 4th Grade	Summative Assessment English 3rd Grade	Summative Assessment English 4th Grade	Summative Assessment English 5th Grade	Summative Assessment English 6th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Highland Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	3156 Tabor Rd	Gadsden	35904	Etowah County	Etowah County	No	No	No	Yes	(256) 546-7409	216	12	18.0	53.7%	185 (85.6%)	7 (3.2%)	6 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (7.9%)	27.3	506^th of 686 public elementary schools	26.2%		40.7	419^th of 680 public elementary schools	38.4%	87	27.8	0.0	16.1	15.4	45.5	61.1	40.9	54.8	53.9	$10,660	$1,779	$8,880
Thompson Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	236 Goldenrod Ave	Gadsden	35901	Etowah County	Gadsden City	No	No	No	Yes	(256) 546-7011	288	14	20.2	81.3%	50 (17.4%)	179 (62.2%)	40 (13.9%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.7%)	15 (5.2%)	11.8	626^th of 686 public elementary schools	8.7%		16.5	572^nd of 680 public elementary schools	15.9%	54	14.0	4.9	20.0		22.0	34.9	31.7	53.3		$11,365	$3,097	$8,253
Mitchell Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1501 Noccalula Rd	Gadsden	35901	Etowah County	Gadsden City	No	No	No	No	(256) 546-2711	262	18	14.8	59.2%	163 (62.2%)	50 (19.1%)	26 (9.9%)	3 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (7.6%)	70.9	190^th of 686 public elementary schools	72.3%		71.4	184^th of 680 public elementary schools	72.9%	6	47.7	58.5	37.5		58.5	75.0	70.7	84.4		$8,237	$807	$7,413
Gaston Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	4550 US Highway 411	Gadsden	35901	Etowah County	Etowah County	No	No	No	Yes	(256) 622-1073	290	18	15.9	67.6%	246 (84.8%)	14 (4.8%)	7 (2.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.0%)	20 (6.9%)	54.4	324^th of 686 public elementary schools	52.8%		54.5	320^th of 680 public elementary schools	52.9%	4	74.2	29.4	20.9	31.3	55.9	77.4	44.1	72.1	62.5	$7,023	$864	$6,158
Duck Springs Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	10180 Duck Springs Rd	Attalla	35954	Etowah County	Etowah County	No	No	No	Yes	(256) 538-6301	207	13	15.9	65.2%	161 (77.8%)	6 (2.9%)	19 (9.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	5 (2.4%)	15 (7.2%)	41.5	421^st of 686 public elementary schools	38.6%		50.9	347^th of 680 public elementary schools	49.0%	74	24.1	33.3	20.0	25.0	52.4	62.1	61.9	56.7	62.5	$10,593	$2,046	$8,547
Floyd Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	601 Black Creek Rd	Gadsden	35904	Etowah County	Gadsden City	No	No	No	Yes	(256) 546-0836	384	16	23.8	82.0%	71 (18.5%)	164 (42.7%)	129 (33.6%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.1%)	1 (0.3%)	11 (2.9%)	9.5	644^th of 686 public elementary schools	6.1%		10.7	631^st of 680 public elementary schools	7.2%	13	20.3	9.8	7.8		21.6	44.9	23.5	40.6		$9,258	$2,678	$6,563
Therapeutic Academic Program	Public	1-5	201 College St	Gadsden	35901	Etowah County	Gadsden City	No	No	No	No	(256) 549-2961																			(n/a)
W E Striplin Elementary School	Public	K-5	600 Cleveland Ave	Gadsden	35901	Etowah County	Gadsden City	No	No	No	Yes	(256) 546-8616	400	20	19.7	84.8%	37 (9.3%)	222 (55.5%)	122 (30.5%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (3.8%)	32.5	475^th of 686 public elementary schools	30.8%		21.4	532^nd of 680 public elementary schools	21.8%	57	41.5	41.5	15.5		40.0	45.1	40.0	63.2		$9,349	$2,460	$6,872
Donehoo Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1109 E Broad St	Gadsden	35903	Etowah County	Gadsden City	No	No	No	Yes	(256) 546-3604	225	12	18.3	73.3%	20 (8.9%)	158 (70.2%)	40 (17.8%)	2 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (2.2%)	65.1	237^th of 686 public elementary schools	65.5%		50.7	349^th of 680 public elementary schools	48.7%	112	60.0	50.0	48.5		39.3	85.7	60.7	69.7		$11,244	$2,746	$8,483
Adams Elementary School	Public	K-5	919 Raley St	Gadsden	35903	Etowah County	Gadsden City	No	No	No	Yes	(256) 492-4952	433	23	18.6	90.8%	61 (14.1%)	196 (45.3%)	160 (37.0%)	2 (0.5%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (2.8%)	11.7	627^th of 686 public elementary schools	8.6%		9.7	641^st of 680 public elementary schools	5.7%	14	11.0	14.9	21.4		28.4	33.7	34.3	39.3		$9,435	$2,672	$6,747

Frequently Asked Questions about Highland Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Highland Elementary School?

Students at Highland Elementary School are 86% White, 8% Two or more races, 3% African American, 3% Hispanic.

What district is Highland Elementary School in?

Etowah County

How many students attend Highland Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 216 students attended Highland Elementary School.

What schools do graduates of Highland Elementary School attend?

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

High : Gaston High School

Is Highland Elementary School a good school?

Highland Elementary School ranks 506^th of 686 Alabama elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Rate Highland Elementary School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

ALAlabama Elementary School Rankings

ALAlabama District Rankings

Schools in Gadsden, AL

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Highland Elementary School!

Latest Alabama data All new data »

2025–26 Summative Assessment scoresAug 14, 2026

2024–25 attendance data & graduation ratesDec 27, 2025

2024–25 Summative Assessment scoresAug 14, 2025

2021–22 through 2023–24 attendance data & graduation ratesDec 2, 2024

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