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Highlands High School

Public Grades 9-12

3^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 262 Kentucky High Schools

Better than 99% of Kentucky high schools

Summary

Highlands High School is a public school serving grades 9–12 in Fort Thomas, with 1,019 students. Its 2025–2026 KSA results are strong across all six reported subjects: proficiency ranges from 50% in science to 79% in writing. Most importantly, Highlands is above Kentucky in every subject, by 27 to 32 percentage points.

Highlands is a leader among nearby schools with comparable grade-level results: it has the highest scores in five of six subjects, including grade 10 math and reading and three grade 11 subjects. Writing is its closest comparison: Ludlow High School scores 80%, one point above Highlands’ 79%. Highlands matches the reported scores of its district, Fort Thomas Independent, in all six subjects. Beechwood High School is the closest nearby school in SchoolDigger’s overall ranking, at the 96th percentile, compared with Highlands at the 99th.

Results have improved in five of six KSA subjects since 2022–2023: science rose 27 points, writing 10, math 7, reading 6 and social studies 6; editing and mechanics fell 5 points. SchoolDigger ranks Highlands #3 of 262 Kentucky high schools, awards it five stars, and has placed it at the 99th percentile in every year shown. Its student-teacher ratio was 17.4 in 2024–2025; only Scott High School was higher among nearby schools with reported ratios. In that same year, 8% of Highlands students were free/reduced lunch eligible, compared with 6% at Beechwood. SchoolDigger’s student-group rankings show two notable differences from the overall result: Special Education Students ranked at the 7th percentile in 2025–2026, down from the 98th in 2023–2024, while Low Socio Economic Status Students ranked at the 72nd percentile, 27 points below the school overall.

1,019

Students ?

17.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$30,084

Per pupil spending ?

7.7%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

2400 Memorial Pkwy
Fort Thomas, KY 41075

(859) 781-5900

District: Fort Thomas Independent

Feeder schools for Highlands High School:

Elementary:	Johnson Elementary School
	Moyer Elementary School
	Woodfill Elementary School
Middle:	Highlands Middle School

Racial breakdown:

White:

88.3%

Two or more races:

4.7%

Hispanic:

3.7%

See top rated Kentucky high schools

Compare Highlands High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 99th percentile in 2016 → 99th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Kentucky average (68% vs 39% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 1% of Kentucky high schools

✓97% graduate in 4 years — above the Kentucky average (94%)

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school68%

District avg68%

Kentucky avg39%

3^rd of 262

Kentucky public high schools ?

Top 1%▬ steady since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Kentucky High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 158Fort Thomas Independent among Kentucky 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	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	98.2	3 of 262	98.9%	★★★★★
2025	96.8	3 of 254	98.8%	★★★★★
2024	96.6	4 of 290	98.6%	★★★★★
2023	96.0	4 of 276	98.6%	★★★★★
2022	99.0	2 of 271	99.3%	★★★★★
2021	97.7	3 of 267	98.9%	★★★★★
2019	97.0	4 of 285	98.6%	★★★★★
2018	99.2	2 of 271	99.3%	★★★★★
2017	96.3	3 of 287	99.0%	★★★★★
2016	97.2	3 of 288	99.0%	★★★★★
2015	97.6	2 of 295	99.3%	★★★★★
2014	96.5	3 of 290	99.0%	★★★★★
2013	96.0	4 of 291	98.6%	★★★★★
2012	99.1	2 of 229	99.1%	★★★★★
2011	95.2	6 of 226	97.3%	★★★★★
2010	99.3	3 of 223	98.7%	★★★★★
2009	99.3	2 of 217	99.1%	★★★★★
2008	98.4	5 of 217	97.7%	★★★★★
2007	99.0	4 of 217	98.2%	★★★★★

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2022	86.8	7 of 153	95.4%	★★★★★
2019	61.7	46 of 166	72.3%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	98.0	3 of 244	98.8%	★★★★★
2025	97.0	3 of 239	98.7%	★★★★★
2024	97.2	5 of 261	98.1%	★★★★★
2023	94.2	7 of 253	97.2%	★★★★★
2022	98.5	2 of 252	99.2%	★★★★★
2021	95.7	6 of 236	97.5%	★★★★★
2019	95.9	4 of 249	98.4%	★★★★★
2018	97.4	2 of 234	99.1%	★★★★★

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2019	85.3	2 of 102	98.0%	★★★★★
2018	67.3	35 of 115	69.6%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2024	96.8	3 of 124	97.6%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	62.1	68 of 245	72.2%	★★★★☆
2025	74.1	40 of 242	83.5%	★★★★☆
2024	85.9	12 of 274	95.6%	★★★★★
2023	77.3	25 of 272	90.8%	★★★★★
2022	92.9	7 of 266	97.4%	★★★★★
2021	75.6	25 of 234	89.3%	★★★★☆
2019	93.7	4 of 254	98.4%	★★★★★
2018	98.2	3 of 232	98.7%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	97.2	5 of 243	97.9%	★★★★★
2025	95.6	7 of 239	97.1%	★★★★★
2024	93.6	7 of 262	97.3%	★★★★★
2023	98.0	4 of 259	98.5%	★★★★★
2022	99.2	3 of 257	98.8%	★★★★★
2021	97.5	4 of 238	98.3%	★★★★★
2019	91.2	9 of 251	96.4%	★★★★★
2018	99.6	2 of 237	99.2%	★★★★★

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	88.5	4 of 87	95.4%	★★★★★
2025	74.4	12 of 89	86.5%	★★★★☆
2023	88.9	3 of 76	96.1%	★★★★★
2022	88.9	3 of 77	96.1%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	21.1	78 of 84	7.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	95.4	3 of 168	98.2%	★★★★★
2019	95.6	4 of 226	98.2%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	97.4	3 of 253	98.8%	★★★★★
2025	95.5	4 of 251	98.4%	★★★★★
2024	94.9	7 of 273	97.4%	★★★★★
2023	94.2	5 of 264	98.1%	★★★★★
2022	98.4	3 of 260	98.8%	★★★★★
2021	95.2	5 of 203	97.5%	★★★★★
2019	92.5	7 of 219	96.8%	★★★★★
2018	98.7	2 of 198	99.0%	★★★★★

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)

White (2026)99th percentile~ school

Female (2026)99th percentile~ school

Gifted and Talented (2019)98th percentile~ school

Male (2026)98th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2024)98th percentile~ school

Disabled (2022)95th percentile-4 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)95th percentile-3 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)72nd percentile-27 vs school

Special Education (2026)7th percentile-92 vs school

By subject vs Kentucky (2025-2026) ?

Writing79%+32 vs state

Reading77%+28 vs state

Mathematics71%+31 vs state

Editing and Mechanics70%+30 vs state

Social Studies64%+27 vs state

Science50%+27 vs state

★

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Schools Near Highlands High School

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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)				KSA Mathematics (2026)				KSA Reading (2026)				KSA Science (2026)		KSA Writing (2026)		KSA Social Studies (2026)		KSA Editing and Mechanics (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
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/reduced lunch (2024-25)	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	KSA Mathematics 6th Grade	KSA Mathematics 7th Grade	KSA Mathematics 8th Grade	KSA Mathematics 10th Grade	KSA Reading 6th Grade	KSA Reading 7th Grade	KSA Reading 8th Grade	KSA Reading 10th Grade	KSA Science 7th Grade	KSA Science 11th Grade	KSA Writing 8th Grade	KSA Writing 11th Grade	KSA Social Studies 8th Grade	KSA Social Studies 11th Grade	KSA Editing and Mechanics 8th Grade	KSA Editing and Mechanics 11th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Highlands High School	Public	9-12	2400 Memorial Pkwy	Fort Thomas	41075	Campbell County	Fort Thomas Independent	No	No	No	No	(859) 781-5900	1,019	58	17.4	7.7%	900 (88.3%)	14 (1.4%)	38 (3.7%)	16 (1.6%)	3 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	48 (4.7%)	98.2	3^rd of 262 public high schools	98.9%		96.8	3^rd of 254 public high schools	98.8%					71.0				77.0		50.0		79.0		64.0		70.0	$30,084	$291	$14,617
Newport High School	Public	7-12	900 E 6th St	Newport	41071	Campbell County	Newport Independent	No	No	No	Yes	(859) 292-3023	521	50	10.3	83.3%	205 (39.3%)	117 (22.5%)	120 (23.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	79 (15.2%)	13.9	226^th of 262 public high schools	13.7%		15.9	217^th of 254 public high schools	14.6%	9		12.0	33.0	19.0		18.0	32.0	35.0			31.0	34.0	28.0	18.0	28.0	25.0	$25,589	$2,583	$23,333
Bellevue High School	Public, Virtual	6-12	201 Center St	Bellevue	41073	Campbell County	Bellevue Independent	No	No	Yes	Yes	(859) 261-2980	300	23	13.0	63.7%	225 (75.0%)	18 (6.0%)	19 (6.3%)	3 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (11.7%)	25.6	202^nd of 262 public high schools	22.9%		35.2	178^th of 254 public high schools	29.9%	24	34.0	31.0		30.0	53.0	35.0	32.0	30.0		14.0	36.0	43.0	32.0	25.0		36.0	$30,203	$4,034	$20,073
Dayton High School	Public	7-12	200 Greendevil Ln	Dayton	41074	Campbell County	Dayton Independent	No	No	No	Yes	(859) 292-7486	358	28	12.7	85.8%	297 (83.0%)	13 (3.6%)	27 (7.5%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (5.3%)	19.9	215^th of 262 public high schools	17.9%		45.5	145^th of 254 public high schools	42.9%	70		24.0	25.0	31.0		39.0	28.0	41.0	13.0		31.0	22.0	30.0	24.0	26.0	25.0	$34,852	$2,144	$17,701
Newport Regional School	Public	6-12	590 Columbia Street	Newport	41071	Campbell County	Newport Independent	No	No	No	No	(859) 292-6476	26	3	8.6	96.2%	12 (46.2%)	8 (30.8%)	3 (11.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (11.5%)								(n/a)
Covington Adult High School	Public, Virtual	9-12	212 Levassor Drive	Covington	41014	Kenton County	Covington Independent	No	No	Yes	No	(859) 292-5864	7	2	3.5	—	2 (28.6%)	2 (28.6%)	3 (42.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Holmes High School	Public	9-12	25th and Madison Ave	Covington	41014	Kenton County	Covington Independent	No	No	No	Yes	(859) 655-9545	855	64	13.3	83.6%	297 (34.7%)	184 (21.5%)	271 (31.7%)	10 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.4%)	90 (10.5%)	9.6	234^th of 262 public high schools	10.7%		14	222^nd of 254 public high schools	12.6%	12				16.0				23.0		15.0		29.0		19.0		17.0	$34,631	$2,424	$18,516
Chapman Vocational Education Center	Public	9-12	25th and Madison Streets	Covington	41014	Kenton County	Covington Independent	No	No	No	No	(859) 291-5911	0	0		—	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Ludlow High School	Public	7-12	515 Elm St	Ludlow	41016	Kenton County	Ludlow Independent	No	No	No	No	(859) 261-8211	376	27	13.8	66.0%	302 (80.3%)	11 (2.9%)	30 (8.0%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	29 (7.7%)	77.6	38^th of 262 public high schools	85.5%		66.3	62^nd of 254 public high schools	75.6%	24		30.0	31.0	47.0		46.0	29.0	64.0	20.0	33.0	51.0	80.0	29.0	37.0	31.0	50.0	$17,126	$766	$16,360
Beechwood High School	Public	7-12	54 Beechwood Rd	Fort Mitchell	41017	Kenton County	Beechwood Independent	No	No	No	No	(859) 331-1220	762	40	18.9	6.0%	645 (84.6%)	12 (1.6%)	65 (8.5%)	18 (2.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	21 (2.8%)	88.9	11^th of 262 public high schools	95.8%		91.4	9^th of 254 public high schools	96.5%	2		66.0	80.0	63.0		73.0	74.0	70.0	56.0	35.0	88.0	56.0	75.0	60.0	83.0	63.0	$12,380	$340	$12,040

Frequently Asked Questions about Highlands High School

Is Highlands High School a good school?

Yes! Highlands High School is one of the best high schools in the state. It ranks 3^rd of 262 Kentucky high schools.

How many students attend Highlands High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,019 students attended Highlands High School.

What district is Highlands High School in?

Fort Thomas Independent

What schools feed into Highlands High School?

Highlands High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Johnson Elementary School
Elementary : Moyer Elementary School
Elementary : Woodfill Elementary School
Middle : Highlands Middle School

What is the racial makeup of Highlands High School?

Students at Highlands High School are 88% White, 5% Two or more races, 4% Hispanic, 2% Asian, 1% African American.

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Latest Kentucky data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataNewOct 15, 2026

2025–26 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesNewOct 15, 2026

2025–26 KSA test scoresNewOct 15, 2026

2024–25 KSA test scoresOct 30, 2025

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