Highlands High

Highlands High is a public high school serving about 780 students in grades 9-12 within the Twin Rivers Unified district in North Highlands, a community where the vast majority of students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Academically, the school shows a mixed picture: it has improved its statewide ranking in recent years and achieves a remarkably strong 90.4% graduation rate, which is higher than the state average. However, proficiency in core subjects like math and English is below state averages, and a major challenge is chronic absenteeism, with over 40% of students missing significant school time. Compared to other high schools in its own district, like Foothill High or Pacific Career and Technology High, Highlands generally performs similarly or better in core subjects, and its graduation success is a notable strength within the district.

The most striking comparisons emerge when looking at nearby schools in different districts. For instance, Antelope High, located just a couple of miles away in the Roseville Joint Union High district, has significantly higher test scores, a higher graduation rate, and much lower chronic absenteeism. This pattern suggests that broader district policies and resources can create very different educational environments even for neighboring communities. For parents, Highlands High demonstrates a clear commitment to helping students graduate despite significant obstacles, but its overall academic performance and attendance issues highlight areas where the school and district face ongoing challenges.