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Highlands Middle School

Public Grades 6-8

11^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 326 Kentucky Middle Schools

Better than 97% of Kentucky middle schools

Summary

Highlands Middle School serves 717 students in grades 6–8 in Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Its 2025–26 results are strong across the tested subjects: the school scored above Kentucky in every tested subject and grade, and its scores matched those of Fort Thomas Independent exactly.

Writing is the school’s clearest strength compared with nearby schools: eighth-grade results were 81%, versus a 52% nearby average and 48% statewide. Science is a relative soft spot, though results were still above both comparisons: 45% in grade 7, versus 30% nearby and 28% statewide. In Math and Reading, the school’s three-grade averages were 66% and 70%, compared with nearby averages of 45% and 51%. Grade 7 was the lowest-scoring grade for both subjects at Highlands: Math was 59% and Reading 64%. The school ranked first among the nearby schools in grade 6 Reading, while its grade 7 Reading result was second-highest. Writing results were second to Woodland Middle School; grade 7 Math tied with Conner Middle School for the nearby-group high.

Results have risen since 2022–23 in Math, Reading, Science, Writing, and Social Studies, but fallen 4 points in Editing and Mechanics; the path has not been steady, especially in Writing, which ranged from 46% to 81% in the past four years. SchoolDigger ranks Highlands Middle School 11th of 326 Kentucky middle schools, at the 97th percentile with five stars; the district ranks first of 158. The 2024–25 student-teacher ratio was 15.6, near the nearby average of 16.2. The school reported 11% free/reduced lunch eligible in 2024–25, compared with a nearby average of 54%. SchoolDigger’s statewide effectiveness ranking for Low Socio Economic Status Students was at the 69th percentile in 2025–26, below the school’s 97th-percentile overall standing but up from the 51st percentile in each of the prior two years. Its ranking for Multi-racial Students rose from the 62nd percentile in 2024–25 to the 88th in 2025–26.

717

Students ?

15.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$15,383

Per pupil spending ?

10.9%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

2350 Memorial Pkwy
Fort Thomas, KY 41075

(859) 441-5222

District: Fort Thomas Independent

Students who attend Highlands Middle School usually attend:

High:

Highlands High School

Feeder schools for Highlands Middle School:

Elementary:	Johnson Elementary School
	Moyer Elementary School
	Woodfill Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

White:

89.4%

Two or more races:

4.3%

Hispanic:

3.2%

See top rated Kentucky middle schools

Compare Highlands Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 99th percentile in 2016 → 97th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Kentucky average (68% vs 42% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 3% of Kentucky middle schools

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 avg42%

11^th of 326

Kentucky public middle schools ?

Top 3%▼ down 2 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Kentucky Middle 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	93.9	11 of 326	96.6%	★★★★★
2025	82.7	32 of 320	90.0%	★★★★★
2024	91.1	13 of 324	96.0%	★★★★★
2023	91.5	16 of 327	95.1%	★★★★★
2022	96.5	4 of 320	98.8%	★★★★★
2021	96.8	5 of 282	98.2%	★★★★★
2019	88.0	10 of 335	97.0%	★★★★★
2018	93.5	6 of 322	98.1%	★★★★★
2017	94.7	5 of 330	98.5%	★★★★★
2016	94.1	4 of 331	98.8%	★★★★★
2015	93.2	7 of 337	97.9%	★★★★★
2014	93.4	3 of 335	99.1%	★★★★★
2013	91.1	8 of 335	97.6%	★★★★★
2012	95.4	3 of 319	99.1%	★★★★★
2011	84.6	26 of 304	91.4%	★★★★★
2010	83.9	28 of 299	90.6%	★★★★★
2009	90.4	12 of 289	95.8%	★★★★★
2008	88.9	16 of 287	94.4%	★★★★★
2007	95.4	8 of 284	97.2%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	96.5	1 of 86	98.8%	★★★★★

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2022	53.8	28 of 111	74.8%	★★★★☆
2018	51.3	72 of 219	67.1%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	93.3	8 of 299	97.3%	★★★★★
2025	82.8	29 of 298	90.3%	★★★★★
2024	92.1	5 of 300	98.3%	★★★★★
2023	90.8	14 of 295	95.3%	★★★★★
2022	95.5	4 of 299	98.7%	★★★★★
2021	96.5	4 of 233	98.3%	★★★★★
2019	86.5	13 of 299	95.7%	★★★★★
2018	93.3	5 of 290	98.3%	★★★★★

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2019	62.0	21 of 62	66.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	70.9	6 of 63	90.5%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	77.4	20 of 134	85.1%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	62.1	98 of 313	68.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	45.8	155 of 314	50.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	46.6	151 of 311	51.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	58.9	109 of 309	64.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	80.9	24 of 310	92.3%	★★★★★
2019	55.6	115 of 303	62.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	72.0	48 of 285	83.2%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	93.2	7 of 299	97.7%	★★★★★
2025	81.6	33 of 303	89.1%	★★★★☆
2024	89.1	13 of 304	95.7%	★★★★★
2023	89.1	15 of 307	95.1%	★★★★★
2022	95.6	5 of 304	98.4%	★★★★★
2021	95.2	2 of 222	99.1%	★★★★★
2019	88.2	9 of 303	97.0%	★★★★★
2018	92.3	8 of 293	97.3%	★★★★★

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	79.5	13 of 107	87.9%	★★★★☆
2025	53.8	38 of 101	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	92.4	2 of 99	98.0%	★★★★★
2023	84.3	6 of 95	93.7%	★★★★★
2019	85.5	7 of 87	92.0%	★★★★★
2018	96.1	1 of 85	98.8%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2019	81.1	33 of 294	88.8%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	92.1	12 of 316	96.2%	★★★★★
2025	80.7	41 of 314	86.9%	★★★★☆
2024	89.7	18 of 316	94.3%	★★★★★
2023	88.9	22 of 320	93.1%	★★★★★
2022	94.2	11 of 314	96.5%	★★★★★
2021	93.9	6 of 213	97.2%	★★★★★
2019	85.2	19 of 266	92.9%	★★★★★
2018	91.8	11 of 253	95.7%	★★★★★

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)

African American (2026)99th percentile~ school

Male (2026)98th percentile~ school

Female (2026)97th percentile~ school

White (2026)96th percentile~ school

Special Education (2019)89th percentile-8 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)88th percentile-9 vs school

Hispanic (2026)85th percentile-12 vs school

Disabled (2022)75th percentile-24 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)69th percentile-28 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2019)66th percentile-31 vs school

By subject vs Kentucky (2025-2026) ?

Writing81%+33 vs state

Editing and Mechanics72%+30 vs state

Reading70%+22 vs state

Social Studies69%+30 vs state

Mathematics66%+26 vs state

Science45%+17 vs state

3.0

2 ratings · 1 written review

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Saturday, October 8, 2011

Excellent school. Teachers and staff are awesome. Close Quote

Schools Near Highlands Middle 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 Reading 6th Grade	KSA Reading 7th Grade	KSA Reading 8th Grade	KSA Science 7th Grade	KSA Writing 8th Grade	KSA Social Studies 8th Grade	KSA Editing and Mechanics 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Highlands Middle School	Public	6-8	2350 Memorial Pkwy	Fort Thomas	41075	Campbell County	Fort Thomas Independent	No	No	No	No	(859) 441-5222	717	46	15.6	10.9%	641 (89.4%)	14 (2.0%)	23 (3.2%)	7 (1.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (4.3%)	93.9	11^th of 326 public middle schools	96.6%		82.7	32^nd of 320 public middle schools	90.0%	21	70.0	59.0	70.0	79.0	64.0	67.0	45.0	81.0	69.0	72.0	$15,383	$357	$12,594
Holmes Middle School	Public	6-8	2500 Madison Avenue	Covington	41014	Kenton County	Covington Independent	No	No	No	Yes	(859) 655-9545	631	43	14.6	83.5%	198 (31.4%)	183 (29.0%)	189 (30.0%)	7 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	54 (8.6%)	8.7	312^th of 326 public middle schools	4.3%		11.6	301^st of 320 public middle schools	5.9%	11	20.0	17.0	20.0	36.0	33.0	19.0	15.0	27.0	20.0	25.0	$18,632	$2,145	$15,000
Woodland Middle School	Public	6-8	5399 Pride Parkway	Taylor Mill	41015	Kenton County	Kenton County	No	No	No	No	(859) 356-7300	542	32	16.9	46.9%	445 (82.1%)	14 (2.6%)	33 (6.1%)	4 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	46 (8.5%)	81.2	41^st of 326 public middle schools	87.4%		76.1	55^th of 320 public middle schools	82.8%	14	52.0	51.0	55.0	67.0	62.0	55.0	43.0	83.0	49.0	54.0
Turkey Foot Middle School	Public	6-8	3230 Turkeyfoot Rd	Edgewood	41017	Kenton County	Kenton County	No	No	No	No	(859) 341-0216	1,006	46	21.6	48.7%	693 (68.9%)	57 (5.7%)	108 (10.7%)	45 (4.5%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (0.7%)	96 (9.5%)	71	70^th of 326 public middle schools	78.5%		61.7	111^th of 320 public middle schools	65.3%	41	54.0	53.0	45.0	58.0	57.0	50.0	39.0	59.0	47.0	51.0
Campbell County Middle School	Public	6-8	8000 Alexandria Pk	Alexandria	41001	Campbell County	Campbell County	No	No	No	No	(859) 635-6077	1,099	67	16.4	47.2%	977 (88.9%)	24 (2.2%)	23 (2.1%)	20 (1.8%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	53 (4.8%)	57.9	113^th of 326 public middle schools	65.3%		54.9	133^rd of 320 public middle schools	58.4%	20	55.0	47.0	54.0	55.0	46.0	42.0	26.0	54.0	43.0	44.0	$15,064	$870	$14,194
Tichenor Middle School	Public	6-8	305 Bartlett Ave	Erlanger	41018	Kenton County	Erlanger-Elsmere Independent	No	No	No	No	(859) 727-2255	505	36	14.0	87.7%	301 (59.6%)	54 (10.7%)	71 (14.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (3.6%)	61 (12.1%)	36.9	210^th of 326 public middle schools	35.6%		22.1	257^th of 320 public middle schools	19.7%	47	42.0	31.0	42.0	56.0	53.0	29.0	23.0	35.0	31.0	38.0	$17,448	$365	$14,219
Rector A. Jones Middle School	Public	6-8	8000 Spruce Dr	Florence	41042	Boone County	Boone County	No	No	No	Yes	(859) 282-4610	683	54	12.6	64.3%	258 (37.8%)	133 (19.5%)	228 (33.4%)	6 (0.9%)	3 (0.4%)	11 (1.6%)	44 (6.4%)	17.5	282^nd of 326 public middle schools	13.5%		17.3	280^th of 320 public middle schools	12.5%	2	27.0	31.0	22.0	46.0	42.0	29.0	17.0	20.0	27.0	24.0	$12,388	$2,227	$10,161
Twenhofel Middle School	Public	6-8	11846 Taylor Mill Rd	Independence	41051	Kenton County	Kenton County	No	No	No	No	(859) 356-5559	775	40	19.3	35.9%	676 (87.2%)	30 (3.9%)	32 (4.1%)	3 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	32 (4.1%)	79.7	45^th of 326 public middle schools	86.2%		75.6	56^th of 320 public middle schools	82.5%	11	61.0	55.0	61.0	63.0	61.0	49.0	41.0	61.0	50.0	55.0
Ockerman Middle School	Public	6-8	8300 Us 42	Florence	41042	Boone County	Boone County	No	No	No	No	(859) 282-3240	674	46	14.6	42.0%	436 (64.7%)	68 (10.1%)	94 (13.9%)	33 (4.9%)	1 (0.1%)	6 (0.9%)	36 (5.3%)	57.1	116^th of 326 public middle schools	64.4%		37.5	204^th of 320 public middle schools	36.3%	88	46.0	38.0	36.0	53.0	51.0	52.0	23.0	61.0	46.0	57.0	$11,705	$937	$10,768
Conner Middle School	Public	6-8	3300 Cougar Path	Hebron	41048	Boone County	Boone County	No	No	No	No	(859) 334-4410	865	52	16.6	36.0%	701 (81.0%)	50 (5.8%)	52 (6.0%)	19 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.3%)	40 (4.6%)	89	20^th of 326 public middle schools	93.9%		91.7	13^th of 320 public middle schools	95.9%	7	70.0	59.0	69.0	77.0	69.0	61.0	41.0	70.0	53.0	53.0	$11,463	$874	$10,589

Frequently Asked Questions about Highlands Middle School

Is Highlands Middle School a good school?

Yes! Highlands Middle School is one of the best middle schools in the state. It ranks 11^th of 326 Kentucky middle schools.

What is the racial makeup of Highlands Middle School?

Students at Highlands Middle School are 89% White, 4% Two or more races, 3% Hispanic, 2% African American.

What high school do graduates of Highlands Middle School attend?

Students who attend Highlands Middle School usually go on to attend Highlands High School

How many students attend Highlands Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 717 students attended Highlands Middle School.

What district is Highlands Middle School in?

Fort Thomas Independent

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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.