Summary:
Highland, Wisconsin is a small community served by three public schools — one elementary (PK–5), one middle (6–8), and one high school (9–12) — all part of the Highland School District, which is ranked 339th of 432 Wisconsin districts (about the 22nd percentile) with a 1-star rating. Total enrollment across the three schools is 276 students, and all three share the same address, suggesting a connected campus. Per-student spending is above $17,000 at every school, which reflects a small, resource-intensive setting.
Among the three, Highland Community High has the strongest overall profile: it ranked 293rd of 533 schools (45th percentile, 2 stars) in 2025–2026 after peaking at 196th of 431 (55th percentile, 3 stars) in 2024–2025. Its 10th grade math ACT was 64.29% proficient in 2024–2025 versus 42.73% statewide, graduation is 92.5%, the dropout rate is 0.0%, and its student–teacher ratio is the lowest at 9:1. Highland Community Elementary improved from the 28th to the 40th percentile, with 3rd grade math at 66.67% and 4th grade social studies at 75%, plus the city's lowest chronic absenteeism at 3.1% — though 5th grade math and ELA lag well behind state. Highland Community Middle is the weakest: it slipped from the 34th to the 27th percentile (1 star), with 8th grade math at 13.33% versus 53.06% statewide, and it carries the highest free/reduced lunch rate (44.83%), absenteeism (9.4%), and student–teacher ratio (12.5:1).
Several patterns stand out for families. Chronic absenteeism is a bright spot — all three schools are far below the state's 17.3%, and the district overall sits at 5.5%. Science is a consistent weakness across elementary, middle, and high school ACT results. Math performance is uneven, strong in early elementary and high school but weak in upper elementary and middle school. Finally, with cohorts of 58 to 124 students, year-to-year swings should be read cautiously.
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