Summary:
Highland Community Elementary is the only elementary school in ZIP code 53543, serving grades PK–5 to 124 students in the small rural community of Highland, Wisconsin as part of the Highland School District. One data note matters up front: for every Forward Exam record, the Highland Community Elementary value matches the district value, so the district column does not offer an independent comparison — the state figure is the more useful benchmark.
Its strongest signal is attendance: chronic absenteeism was 3.1% in 2024–2025, about half the district's 5.5% and far below the state's 17.3%. Academically, 3rd grade stands out — math proficiency was 66.67% in both years, above state rates of 54.75% and 55%, and ELA was 60% and 58.33% versus state rates around 52%. Fourth grade social studies rose from 61.11% to 75%, above the state's 65.51%. The school's rank improved from 756 of 1,044 schools (28th percentile, 1 star) in 2024–2025 to 625 of 1,039 (40th percentile, 2 stars) in 2025–2026.
Upper elementary is the clear weak spot. Fifth grade math proficiency was 27.78% in 2025–2026 and 23.08% in 2024–2025, against state rates of 51.81% and 52.58%, and 5th grade ELA was 38.89% and 30.77% versus state rates above 51%. Fourth grade ELA held at 50% both years, slightly below state, and 4th grade science improved from 27.78% to 50% but remains just under the state's 53.46%. Context: 41.13% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch, per-student spending is $18,213, and the student-teacher ratio is 11.1. Because only 124 students attend, a one- or two-student change can shift a percentage by several points, so multi-year trends matter more than single-year swings.
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