Highlands Elementary

Public K-6

 3131 S. Barcelona St.
       Spring Valley, CA  91977-3003


(619) 668-5780

District: La Mesa-Spring Valley

SchoolDigger Rank:
3616th of 5,868 California Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $5,951 Help


Students who attend Highlands Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Spring Valley Academy
High:    Monte Vista High

Student/teacher ratio:  26.1 Help
Number of students:  496

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
60.3%
White:
17.7%
African American:
11.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  78.2% Help


 See top rated California elementary schools

 Compare Highlands Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Highlands Elementary ranks worse than 61.6% of elementary schools in California. It also ranks 13th among 17 ranked elementary schools in the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 33.27. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (60.3%), White (17.7%), African American (11.1%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 78.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary is 26.1. 9 elementary schools in the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Highlands Elementary employs 19 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Highlands Elementary is $5,951. 9 elementary schools in the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Highlands Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Highlands Elementary 3616th of 5868 California public elementary schools. (See Highlands Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:


La Mesa-Spring Valley:

SchoolDigger ranks La Mesa-Spring Valley 738th of 1560 California school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Highlands Elementary?

Rank History for Highlands Elementary

Help
Compare

Rank History for all students at Highlands Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 77.97 983rd 4809 79.6%
2005 68.40 1404th 4822 70.9%
2006 60.77 1710th 4818 64.5%
2007 60.14 1821st 5113 64.4%
2008 70.45 1379th 5113 73.0%
2009 58.25 2018th 5193 61.1%
2010 48.18 2678th 5314 49.6%
2011 50.72 2557th 5377 52.4%
2012 42.13 3128th 5390 42.0%
2013 52.50 2539th 5530 54.1%
2015 36.43 3238th 5611 42.3%
2016 39.14 3131st 5614 44.2%
2017 30.31 3806th 5692 33.1%
2018 27.95 4002nd 5662 29.3%
2019 34.16 3597th 5789 37.9%
2022 28.75 3972nd 5883 32.5%
2023 33.27 3606th 5848 38.3%
See the entire list of California Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Highlands Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 50.69 1222nd 3246 62.4%
2019 62.56 749th 3275 77.1%
2022 48.21 1303rd 3311 60.6%
2023 44.53 1507th 3240 53.5%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Highlands Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 39.24 1243rd 2416 48.6%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Highlands Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 35.59 3348th 5084 34.1%
2019 43.69 2847th 5173 45.0%
2022 37.43 3222nd 5264 38.8%
2023 38.42 3179th 5355 40.6%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Highlands Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 28.78 3849th 5413 28.9%
2019 35.13 3406th 5492 38.0%
2022 32.97 3492nd 5635 38.0%
2023 32.96 3493rd 5595 37.6%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Highlands Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 19.35 1995th 2128 6.3%
2019 43.63 1172nd 2585 54.7%
2022 20.19 2011th 2227 9.7%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Highlands Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 26.98 3942nd 5431 27.4%
2019 33.58 3499th 5510 36.5%
2022 27.45 4005th 5663 29.3%
2023 35.10 3391st 5627 39.7%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Highlands Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 46.04 2480th 4830 48.7%
2019 41.39 2859th 4963 42.4%
2022 32.92 3449th 5084 32.2%
2023 45.31 2532nd 5079 50.1%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Highlands Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools CA State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 21.20 2360th 2834 16.7%
2022 26.69 2105th 2726 22.8%
See the entire list of Best California Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: California Department of Education, 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.

Highlands Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 







Data source: California Department of Education

We're sorry, but no reviews have been submitted for Highlands Elementary.

If you have first-hand knowledge about Highlands Elementary, submit a rating!



No reviews have been submitted!


Enrollment information for Highlands Elementary

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 395 34 18 44 1 n/a n/a 0 492
1989 428 29 16 42 0 n/a n/a 0 515
1990 428 24 17 56 2 n/a n/a 0 527
1991 418 25 14 70 3 n/a n/a 0 530
1992 396 32 12 80 3 n/a n/a 0 523
1993 379 27 16 91 2 n/a n/a 0 515
1994 327 39 14 88 5 n/a n/a 0 473
1995 311 53 19 107 4 n/a n/a 0 494
1996 311 53 19 107 4 n/a n/a 0 494
1997 317 83 23 88 3 n/a n/a 0 514
1998 317 92 20 93 8 n/a n/a 0 530
1999 287 87 19 98 9 n/a n/a 12 512
2000 271 90 21 108 7 n/a n/a 31 528
2001 269 85 18 120 6 n/a n/a 47 545
2002 254 62 17 133 7 n/a n/a 44 517
2003 254 62 17 133 7 n/a n/a 44 517
2004 243 65 15 132 6 n/a n/a 37 498
2005 204 52 14 130 3 n/a n/a 46 449
2006 184 43 16 133 2 n/a n/a 60 438
2007 163 43 13 132 2 n/a n/a 47 400
2008 156 36 12 119 n/a n/a n/a 0 323
2009 150 66 9 198 1 6 95 0 525
2010 157 70 10 222 1 7 50 0 517
2011 139 59 10 241 4 4 41 0 498
2012 140 60 5 276 3 4 45 0 533
2013 127 55 6 264 1 6 38 0 497
2014 133 74 5 261 1 5 41 0 520
2015 122 74 9 263 2 2 40 0 512
2016 128 70 19 283 1 8 27 0 536
2017 106 74 16 301 1 7 30 0 535
2018 98 93 12 290 1 6 44 0 544
2019 97 79 17 280 1 8 48 0 530
2020 105 73 13 308 1 7 48 0 555
2021 89 74 12 292 1 8 47 0 523
2022 82 72 16 297 3 4 47 0 521
2023 88 55 9 299 1 5 39 0 496

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 Highlands Elementary

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 492 19.5 25.2 n/a
1989 515 20.3 25.3 n/a
1990 527 22.3 23.6 n/a
1991 530 23.3 22.7 n/a
1992 523 23.7 22.0 25.8
1993 515 22.8 22.6 0
1994 473 21.4 22.1 35.3
1995 494 22.6 21.9 38.3
1996 494 22.6 21.9 38.3
1997 514 22.6 22.7 44.4
1998 530 26.0 20.4 48.9
1999 512 27.2 18.8 47.6
2000 528 24.0 22.0 46.9
2001 545 26.0 21.0 48.2
2002 517 26.8 19.3 40.4
2003 517 26.8 19.3 40.4
2004 498 24.3 20.5 42.3
2005 449 23.3 19.3 49.4
2006 438 20.8 21.1 53.4
2007 400 19.6 20.4 51.3
2008 323 25.2 12.8 58.2
2009 525 27.0 17.9 65.7
2010 517 25.0 20.6 65.8
2011 498 n/a n/a 63.7
2012 533 18.0 29.6 n/a
2013 497 18.0 27.6 61.8
2014 520 18.1 28.6 72.1
2015 512 20.0 25.6 74.8
2016 536 20.0 26.8 75.7
2017 535 20.5 26.0 76.1
2018 544 19.0 28.6 78.9
2019 530 19.0 27.8 76.6
2020 555 n/a n/a 78.4
2021 523 20.0 26.1 72.8
2022 521 18.0 28.9 81.2
2023 496 19.0 26.1 78.2

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 Highlands Elementary

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 492 19.5 25.2 n/a
1989 515 20.3 25.3 n/a
1990 527 22.3 23.6 n/a
1991 530 23.3 22.7 n/a
1992 523 23.7 22.0 25.8
1993 515 22.8 22.6 0
1994 473 21.4 22.1 35.3
1995 494 22.6 21.9 38.3
1996 494 22.6 21.9 38.3
1997 514 22.6 22.7 44.4
1998 530 26.0 20.4 48.9
1999 512 27.2 18.8 47.6
2000 528 24.0 22.0 46.9
2001 545 26.0 21.0 48.2
2002 517 26.8 19.3 40.4
2003 517 26.8 19.3 40.4
2004 498 24.3 20.5 42.3
2005 449 23.3 19.3 49.4
2006 438 20.8 21.1 53.4
2007 400 19.6 20.4 51.3
2008 323 25.2 12.8 58.2
2009 525 27.0 17.9 65.7
2010 517 25.0 20.6 65.8
2011 498 n/a n/a 63.7
2012 533 18.0 29.6 n/a
2013 497 18.0 27.6 61.8
2014 520 18.1 28.6 72.1
2015 512 20.0 25.6 74.8
2016 536 20.0 26.8 75.7
2017 535 20.5 26.0 76.1
2018 544 19.0 28.6 78.9
2019 530 19.0 27.8 76.6
2020 555 n/a n/a 78.4
2021 523 20.0 26.1 72.8
2022 521 18.0 28.9 81.2
2023 496 19.0 26.1 78.2

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.

Kindergarten Immunization Rates

Highlands Elementary

Help
Compare
YearCompletely ImmunizedReligious ExemptionMedical ExemptionConditionalPolioHepatitis BVaricellaDTPMMR
201297.0%1.0%0.0%1.0%99.0%99.0%99.0%97.0%99.0%
201398.0%0.0%0.0%2.0%100.0%100.0%100.0%98.0%98.0%
201496.0%1.0%0.0%3.0%98.0%98.0%99.0%98.0%97.0%
201598.0%1.0%0.0%1.0%99.0%99.0%99.0%98.0%99.0%
201696.0%1.0%0.0%3.0%96.0%97.0%99.0%96.0%97.0%
2017≥99.0%≤1.0%≤1.0%≤1.0%≥99.0%≥99.0%≥99.0%≥99.0%≥99.0%
201897.0%0.0%0.0%3.0%97.0%98.0%≥99.0%97.0%≥99.0%
2019≥98.0%≤2.0%≤2.0%≥98.0%≥98.0%≥98.0%≥98.0%≥98.0%
202097.1%1.0%1.9%98.1%98.1%

Data source: California Department of Public Health
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Highlands Elementary

Help

YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2018 $5,951

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Highlands 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 3597th of 5789 Elementary schoolsRanks 3606th of 5848 Elementary schools
 0.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Highlands Elementary)45.637.7
 7.9%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (La Mesa-Spring Valley)54.746.6
 8.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)48.543
 5.6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Highlands Elementary)44.431
 13.5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (La Mesa-Spring Valley)51.645.6
 6%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (California)50.245.1
 5.1%
4th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Highlands Elementary)32.938.3
 5.4%
   4th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (La Mesa-Spring Valley)50.248.5
 1.7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)49.543.7
 5.7%
4th Grade Mathematics (Highlands Elementary)3032.8
 2.8%
   4th Grade Mathematics (La Mesa-Spring Valley)42.441.6
 0.8%
   4th Grade Mathematics (California)44.940.8
 4.1%
5th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Highlands Elementary)40.835.6
 5.2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (La Mesa-Spring Valley)51.545.2
 6.3%
   5th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)51.746.7
 5%
5th Grade Mathematics (Highlands Elementary)2221.3
 0.7%
   5th Grade Mathematics (La Mesa-Spring Valley)36.226.7
 9.5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (California)3833.4
 4.6%
5th Grade Science (Highlands Elementary)17.719.7
 2%
   5th Grade Science (La Mesa-Spring Valley)31.626.1
 5.5%
   5th Grade Science (California)31.731.9
 0.1%
6th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (Highlands Elementary)42.232.8
 9.4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (La Mesa-Spring Valley)51.444.9
 6.5%
   6th Grade English Language Arts/Literacy (California)48.544.2
 4.3%
6th Grade Mathematics (Highlands Elementary)4019.4
 20.7%
   6th Grade Mathematics (La Mesa-Spring Valley)39.831.7
 8.2%
   6th Grade Mathematics (California)38.533.2
 5.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students530496
 6.4%
African American7955
 30.4%
American Indian11
Asian179
 47.1%
Hispanic280299
 6.8%
Pacific Islander85
 37.5%
White9788
 9.3%
Two or More Races4839
 18.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients76.6%78.2%
 1.6%


Schools Near Highlands Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Highlands Elementary

Students at Highlands Elementary are 60% Hispanic, 18% White, 11% African American, 8% Two or more races, 2% Asian, 1% Pacific Islander.

Highlands Elementary ranks 3616th of 5868 California elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 496 students attended Highlands Elementary.

Students who attend Highlands Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Spring Valley Academy
High : Monte Vista High


Rate Highlands Elementary!



Sign up for updates!

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




SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the California Department of Education. Attendance Areas provided by ATTOM.

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.





Diagnostics

None retrieved from Database in 85 milliseconds.