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Highland Elementary School

Q: Is Highland Elementary School a good school?

Highland Elementary School ranks 249 th of 684 Kentucky elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-6

249^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 684 Kentucky Elementary Schools

Better than 64% of Kentucky elementary schools

Summary

Highland Elementary School in Staffordsville, Kentucky, serves 392 students in pre-K through grade 6 in Johnson County, a district SchoolDigger ranks 41st of 158 statewide. The most important finding is that Highland’s 2025–26 results were above state averages in every reported subject, yet below district averages in all six.

Against the state, Highland’s grade-average scores were about 48% in math versus 43%, and 56% in reading versus 51%; fourth-grade science was 47% compared with 40%. But local comparisons point to reading as a clear weakness: Highland averaged about 56%, while nearby schools with usable results averaged about 62%. In fourth-grade reading, Highland scored 47%, compared with a 63% average at nearby schools. Fourth-grade math was a relative bright spot at 51%, above both the state and district, while fifth-grade math was 40%, below the state, district, and nearby-school average. Sixth-grade reading reached 68%—well above the state—but remained below nearby same-district schools, which scored 70%–75%.

Results over time are mixed: from 2022–23 to 2025–26, math rose from 44% to 48%, while reading fell from 59% to 56%; fifth-grade writing dropped from 55% to 36%. SchoolDigger ranks Highland 249th of 684 statewide, at the 64th percentile with 3 stars, down from the 79th percentile the year before. Its statewide effectiveness ranking for Female Students fell from the 75th to the 47th percentile, and for Low Socio Economic Status Students from the 77th to the 50th. Attendance is another concern: chronic absenteeism was 38% in 2025–26, up 6 points from the prior year and above the state’s 24% and district’s 36%. For context, Highland’s student-teacher ratio was 13.2 in 2024–25, and 63% of students were free/reduced lunch eligible that year.

392

Students ?

13.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,374

Per pupil spending ?

63.3%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

649 US 23 South
Staffordsville, KY 41256

(606) 297-3674

District: Johnson County

Students who attend Highland Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Johnson County Middle School
High:	Johnson Central High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

96.9%

Hispanic:

1.3%

Two or more races:

1.3%

See top rated Kentucky elementary schools

Compare Highland Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 71st percentile in 2016 → 64th in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the Kentucky median (64th percentile)

Worth a look

!High chronic absenteeism (38% vs 24% Kentucky)

!Ranking has slipped — down 7 percentile points since 2016

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school49%

District avg54%

Kentucky avg45%

249^th of 684

Kentucky public elementary schools ?

Top 36%▼ down 8 pts since 2016

From top 29% (2016) to top 36% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Kentucky Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

4^th of 5Elementary Schools in the Johnson County

41^st of 158Johnson County 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	59.4	249 of 684	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	73.8	147 of 685	78.5%	★★★★☆
2024	67.5	189 of 685	72.4%	★★★★☆
2023	70.0	153 of 687	77.7%	★★★★☆
2022	71.9	136 of 684	80.1%	★★★★☆
2021	49.5	238 of 517	54.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	66.9	206 of 700	70.6%	★★★★☆
2018	66.5	194 of 691	71.9%	★★★★☆
2017	62.2	236 of 694	66.0%	★★★☆☆
2016	67.0	197 of 690	71.4%	★★★★☆
2015	64.4	224 of 698	67.9%	★★★☆☆
2014	78.6	86 of 705	87.8%	★★★★☆
2013	76.7	106 of 719	85.3%	★★★★☆
2012	66.1	205 of 713	71.2%	★★★★☆
2011	76.7	130 of 688	81.1%	★★★★☆
2010	60.6	266 of 683	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2009	68.7	196 of 658	70.2%	★★★★☆
2008	75.2	125 of 651	80.8%	★★★★☆
2007	77.5	117 of 638	81.7%	★★★★☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2019	65.4	122 of 474	74.3%	★★★★☆
2018	62.2	112 of 445	74.8%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	47.3	348 of 657	47.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	69.3	159 of 648	75.5%	★★★★☆
2024	59.9	239 of 644	62.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	60.8	216 of 639	66.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	77.6	82 of 641	87.2%	★★★★☆
2021	60.9	99 of 312	68.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	63.9	214 of 671	68.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	66.4	186 of 663	71.9%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	47.9	338 of 674	49.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	68.5	155 of 672	76.9%	★★★★☆
2024	61.1	211 of 665	68.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	61.2	199 of 670	70.3%	★★★★☆
2022	72.5	91 of 667	86.4%	★★★★☆
2021	66.1	76 of 275	72.4%	★★★★☆
2019	66.3	172 of 664	74.1%	★★★★☆
2018	65.6	164 of 631	74.0%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	67.1	175 of 651	73.1%	★★★★☆
2025	71.0	143 of 653	78.1%	★★★★☆
2024	67.7	166 of 652	74.5%	★★★★☆
2023	71.3	121 of 652	81.4%	★★★★☆
2022	67.6	150 of 657	77.2%	★★★★☆
2021	42.0	206 of 325	36.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	66.8	190 of 676	71.9%	★★★★☆
2018	63.1	224 of 665	66.3%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	81.9	37 of 314	88.2%	★★★★☆
2025	82.4	38 of 306	87.6%	★★★★☆
2024	73.3	53 of 279	81.0%	★★★★☆
2023	52.5	89 of 257	65.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	68.5	169 of 661	74.4%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	49.7	318 of 650	51.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	66.1	181 of 659	72.5%	★★★★☆
2024	61.7	221 of 659	66.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	61.5	206 of 658	68.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	66.6	166 of 656	74.7%	★★★★☆
2018	59.0	226 of 593	61.9%	★★★☆☆

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)

Special Education (2026)88th percentile+25 vs school

Disabled (2019)74th percentile+4 vs school

Male (2026)73rd percentile+10 vs school

White (2026)51st percentile-13 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)50th percentile-14 vs school

Female (2026)47th percentile-17 vs school

By subject vs Kentucky (2025-2026) ?

Reading56%+5 vs state

Editing and Mechanics54%+6 vs state

Mathematics48%+5 vs state

Science47%+7 vs state

Social Studies40%~ state avg

Writing36%~ state avg

★

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Schools Near Highland Elementary 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 3rd Grade	KSA Mathematics 4th Grade	KSA Mathematics 5th Grade	KSA Mathematics 6th Grade	KSA Mathematics 7th Grade	KSA Mathematics 8th Grade	KSA Reading 3rd Grade	KSA Reading 4th Grade	KSA Reading 5th Grade	KSA Reading 6th Grade	KSA Reading 7th Grade	KSA Reading 8th Grade	KSA Science 4th Grade	KSA Science 7th Grade	KSA Writing 5th Grade	KSA Writing 8th Grade	KSA Social Studies 5th Grade	KSA Social Studies 8th Grade	KSA Editing and Mechanics 5th Grade	KSA Editing and Mechanics 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Highland Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	649 US 23 South	Staffordsville	41256	Johnson County	Johnson County	No	No	No	Yes	(606) 297-3674	392	30	13.2	63.3%	380 (96.9%)	2 (0.5%)	5 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.3%)	59.4	249^th of 684 public elementary schools	63.6%		73.8	147^th of 685 public elementary schools	78.5%	102	51.0	51.0	40.0	48.0			60.0	47.0	50.0	68.0			47.0		36.0		40.0		54.0		$17,374	$3,051	$12,860
Paintsville Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	325 2nd St	Paintsville	41240	Johnson County	Paintsville Independent	No	No	No	Yes	(606) 789-2651	434	30	14.4	49.5%	400 (92.2%)	6 (1.4%)	15 (3.5%)	11 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.5%)	51.8	322^nd of 684 public elementary schools	52.9%		50.5	332^nd of 685 public elementary schools	51.5%	10	52.0	55.0	25.0	49.0			66.0	57.0	43.0	70.0			49.0		22.0		18.0		39.0		$21,736	$943	$13,782
Central Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	1715 Euclid Ave	Paintsville	41240	Johnson County	Johnson County	No	No	No	Yes	(606) 789-2541	341	29	11.8	77.1%	322 (94.4%)	1 (0.3%)	4 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.6%)	12 (3.5%)	74.4	139^th of 684 public elementary schools	79.7%		70.2	172^nd of 685 public elementary schools	74.9%	33	46.0	47.0	51.0	53.0			71.0	72.0	54.0	75.0			63.0				51.0		54.0		$19,993	$5,137	$13,363
W R Castle Memorial Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	3936 Us 23 N	Wittensville	41274	Johnson County	Johnson County	No	No	No	Yes	(606) 297-3738	390	31	12.7	68.2%	372 (95.4%)	2 (0.5%)	11 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.3%)	67.3	189^th of 684 public elementary schools	72.4%		71	162^nd of 685 public elementary schools	76.4%	27	39.0	37.0	56.0	54.0			59.0	65.0	60.0	70.0			61.0		29.0		46.0		63.0		$16,285	$2,936	$11,851
Porter Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	7210 Us 321 S	Hagerhill	41222	Johnson County	Johnson County	No	No	No	Yes	(606) 789-2545	431	29	15.0	54.3%	418 (97.0%)	7 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.7%)	81.5	96^th of 684 public elementary schools	86.0%		89.2	48^th of 685 public elementary schools	93.0%	48	69.0	63.0	69.0	57.0			66.0	58.0	62.0	71.0			42.0		51.0		52.0		80.0		$17,641	$2,872	$11,508
Flat Gap Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	1450 KY Rt 689	Flatgap	41219	Johnson County	Johnson County	No	No	No	Yes	(606) 265-3110	241	18	13.7	78.4%	227 (94.2%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.9%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.5%)	48.3	353^rd of 684 public elementary schools	48.4%		51	328^th of 685 public elementary schools	52.1%	25	71.0	32.0	35.0				43.0		39.0	74.0							30.0		52.0		$17,092	$3,108	$12,443
Home Instruction Elementary	Public	K-8	106 North Front Avenue	Prestonsburg	41653	Floyd County	Floyd County	No	No	No	No	(606) 886-2354	7	1	7.0	—	7 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Prestonsburg Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	140 S Clark Dr.	Prestonsburg	41653	Floyd County	Floyd County	No	No	No	Yes	(606) 886-3891	574	38	15.1	77.9%	547 (95.3%)	3 (0.5%)	11 (1.9%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (1.9%)	21.2	564^th of 684 public elementary schools	17.5%		26.4	524^th of 685 public elementary schools	23.5%	40	28.0	25.0	24.0				40.0	43.0	44.0				26.0		20.0		18.0		40.0		$13,465	$2,429	$11,036
Salyersville Grade School	Public	PK, KG-6	204 Hornet Drive	Salyersville	41465	Magoffin County	Magoffin County	No	No	No	Yes	(606) 349-3411	479	36	13.3	73.3%	459 (95.8%)	1 (0.2%)	9 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.1%)	51.4	328^th of 684 public elementary schools	52.0%		48.6	344^th of 685 public elementary schools	49.8%	16	52.0	30.0	40.0	45.0			52.0	50.0	56.0	49.0			41.0		21.0		56.0		60.0		$18,128	$3,362	$12,439
Allen Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-8	112 Eagle Ln	Allen	41601	Floyd County	Floyd County	No	No	No	Yes	(606) 874-2165	462	29	15.9	83.1%	448 (97.0%)	3 (0.6%)	6 (1.3%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	33.4	473^rd of 684 public elementary schools	30.8%		32.5	486^th of 685 public elementary schools	29.1%	13	36.0	37.0	27.0	34.0	20.0		41.0	53.0	45.0	42.0	36.0	13.0	33.0		51.0	40.0	24.0	13.0	37.0	15.0	$13,752	$2,000	$11,752

Frequently Asked Questions about Highland Elementary School

What district is Highland Elementary School in?

Johnson County

What schools do graduates of Highland Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Highland Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Johnson County Middle School
High : Johnson Central High School

Is Highland Elementary School a good school?

Highland Elementary School ranks 249^th of 684 Kentucky elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Highland Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 392 students attended Highland Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Highland Elementary School?

Students at Highland Elementary School are 97% White, 1% Hispanic, 1% Two or more races.

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Schools in Staffordsville, KY

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Latest Kentucky data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataOct 15, 2026

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

2025–26 KSA test scoresOct 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.