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Highlands High School

Public Grades 9-12

3^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 254 Kentucky High Schools

Better than 99% of Kentucky high schools

Summary

Highlands High School is a public high school located in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, serving 1,022 students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the Fort Thomas Independent School District, which is ranked 3rd out of 157 districts in the state and has a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Highlands High School has consistently been one of the top-performing high schools in Kentucky, ranking within the top 5 schools in the state for the past 10 years. The school's academic performance is exceptional, with proficiency rates in subjects like mathematics, reading, and science that are often 20-30 percentage points higher than the state averages. Highlands High School also boasts an exceptional four-year graduation rate, consistently above 92%, and a very low dropout rate, ranging from 0.0% to 1.3% in recent years.

Compared to nearby schools like Scott High School, Ludlow High School, and Beechwood High School, Highlands High School significantly outperforms them in academic achievement, graduation rates, and other key metrics. Despite having a relatively low percentage of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, Highlands High School is able to provide equitable educational opportunities and resources, contributing to its exceptional performance.

1,019

Students ?

17.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,369

Per pupil spending ?

7.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

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 2015 → 99th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Kentucky average (64% vs 39% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 1% of Kentucky high schools

✓99% 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 (2024-2025) ?

This school64%

District avg64%

Kentucky avg39%

3^rd of 254

Kentucky public high schools ?

Top 1%▼ down 1 pts since 2015

See the entire ranking list of Kentucky High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

3^rd of 157Fort 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)

Female (2025)99th percentile~ school

White (2025)98th percentile~ school

Special Education (2024)98th percentile~ school

Gifted and Talented (2019)98th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2024)98th percentile~ school

Male (2025)97th percentile~ school

Disabled (2022)95th percentile-4 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)87th percentile-12 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)83rd percentile-15 vs school

By subject vs Kentucky (2024-2025) ?

Reading73%+26 vs state

Mathematics71%+30 vs state

Writing70%+25 vs state

Editing and Mechanics68%+27 vs state

Social Studies61%+23 vs state

Science42%+20 vs state

★

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Schools Near Highlands High School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				KSA Mathematics (2025)				KSA Reading (2025)				KSA Science (2025)		KSA Writing (2025)		KSA Social Studies (2025)		KSA Editing and Mechanics (2025)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
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	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	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	Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Non-Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Personnel Spending from State and Local Funds	Non-Personnel from State and Local Funds	Sub-total Spending from State and 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%)	96.8	3^rd of 254 public high schools	98.8%		96.6	4^th of 290 public high schools	98.6%	1				71.0				73.0		42.0		70.0		61.0		68.0	$14,369	$229	$199	$427	$10,017	$3,869	$13,886
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%)	15.9	217^th of 254 public high schools	14.6%		24.5	213^th of 290 public high schools	26.6%	4		37.0	25.0	15.0		34.0	25.0	28.0	16.0		13.0	39.0	17.0	24.0	33.0	27.0	$26,801	$2,897	$707	$3,604	$14,410	$4,779	$18,818
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%)	35.2	178^th of 254 public high schools	29.9%		19.6	229^th of 290 public high schools	21.0%	51	27.0	15.0	26.0	38.0	35.0	27.0	30.0	41.0		17.0	26.0	38.0	26.0	30.0	26.0	38.0	$18,657	$1,044	$1,036	$2,078	$13,362	$4,007	$18,498
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%)	45.5	145^th of 254 public high schools	42.9%		41.9	165^th of 290 public high schools	43.1%	20		33.0	26.0	33.0		39.0	30.0	47.0	20.0	15.0	43.0	58.0	15.0	38.0	43.0	35.0	$23,606	$2,038	$1,883	$3,918	$14,151	$4,875	$19,024
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%)	14	222^nd of 254 public high schools	12.6%		9.9	248^th of 290 public high schools	14.5%	26				25.0				33.0		13.0		28.0		25.0		19.0	$28,402	$2,216	$1,300	$3,516	$12,755	$3,589	$16,344
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%)	66.3	62^nd of 254 public high schools	75.6%		73.1	61^st of 290 public high schools	79.0%	1		33.0		47.0		25.0	32.0	53.0	15.0	23.0	28.0		31.0	47.0	42.0	46.0	$31,501	$428	$673	$1,101	$12,258	$3,169	$15,427
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%)	91.4	9^th of 254 public high schools	96.5%		95.4	6^th of 290 public high schools	97.9%	3		83.0	75.0	76.0		76.0	57.0	67.0	64.0	33.0	71.0	58.0	71.0	62.0	75.0	66.0	$22,828	$433	$118	$551	$8,584	$2,840	$11,422

Frequently Asked Questions about Highlands High 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.

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

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 254 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

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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.