Summary:
Zip code 33846 in Highland City, Florida, is home to a single elementary school, Highland City Elementary School, which serves grades PK through 5 with 414 students and is part of the Polk school district.
Highland City Elementary School presents a mixed academic profile. It consistently outperforms its district, which ranks in the 13th percentile statewide, in nearly every subject and grade. However, the school's statewide ranking has declined from the 61st percentile in 2023-2024 to the 47th percentile in 2025-2026. A notable strength is 5th Grade Science, where 66% of students were proficient in the most recent year, exceeding both the district (49%) and state (60%) averages. The school also excels in 3rd and 5th Grade Math. However, a significant weakness appears in 4th grade, where proficiency in Math (48%) and ELA (44%) fell well below state averages (65% and 60%, respectively), suggesting a possible curriculum or transition issue at that grade level. The school's performance is also highly volatile year-over-year, with large swings in scores like a 21-point gain in 5th Grade Science and a 19-point drop in 4th Grade ELA.
With a per-student spending of $13,608 and a student-teacher ratio of 14.7, the school invests significant resources, yet results are inconsistent. A major concern is the 30.8% chronic absenteeism rate, which matches the state average but is high enough to likely impact academic stability and the school's downward ranking trend. While Highland City Elementary is a strong performer within its low-performing district, it remains average or below-average on a statewide scale, making it a school of contrasts for parents to consider.
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