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Schools in Highland · Highland Community Unit School District 5

Highland’s public schools outscore 78% of Illinois districts

In Highland, 39% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Illinois average (26%). The grade covers the public school district serving Highland, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Illinois, not nationally.

#180of 768 Illinois townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Illinois state tests taken in spring 2021, when nearly all of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
41%
▲ 11 pts vs IL 30%
2020–21
Math proficiency
39%
▲ 13 pts vs IL 26%
2020–21
Graduate on time
91%
▲ 3 pts vs IL 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.1K
▼ 35% vs IL $21.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.6
IL 13.6
Schools in town
0
2,160 students on the public path
In brief

Highland’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 1419 Illinois towns with household incomes within a quarter of Highland’s, its schools beat 91%, higher than their 78% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 41% and math 39% in spring 2021, against 30% and 26% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,068 per student, against $21,567 across Illinois (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Highland Middle School, then Highland High School. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Highland’s grade

A− Test scoresB Graduation

A−: better than 78% of Illinois school districts, #180 of 768 Illinois towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Illinois average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Illinois school districts we grade (887)Better than 78%
Lower resultsHigher results
Illinois towns with similar household incomes (1419)Better than 91%
B+AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,364 test results and a graduating class of 209 could put Highland anywhere from B+ to A. The tests are from spring 2021, when nearly all of Highland’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,340 in math, 1,387 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Highland, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–32 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressA+
6–8Highland Middle SchoolHighland Community Unit School District 5A−
9–12Highland High SchoolHighland Community Unit School District 5A−

Highland’s public schools are run by Highland Community Unit School District 5, which also serves Alhambra, Alhambra, Burgess and Grantfork and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Highland Community Unit School District 5Grades PK–12 · 6 schools · 2,730 students, down 4% since 2020–21 · 13.6 per teacher (IL 13.6)
$14,068IL $21,567 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2020–21

Well above the state in reading

Reading41%
State average 29.9% · 1387 students tested
Math39%
State average 25.8% · 1340 students tested

Highland vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Illinois towns that share Highland’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
HighlandA−Highland Community Unit School District 5

Every school in Highland

4 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Illinois’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

Also serving Highlandin other towns
Highland Primary School
Elementary · Grades PK–2
544 students11:1Rate it →
Alhambra Primary School
Elementary · Grades PK–3 · Alhambra
A+
156 students14:1Rate it →
Highland Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
A−
616 students14:1Rate it →
Highland High School
High · Grades 9–12
A−
844 students15:1Rate it →

Questions about Highland’s schools

Are Highland’s schools good?

By Illinois’s own tests, yes: the public schools Highland children attend outscore 78% of Illinois’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #180 of 768 Illinois towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 91%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Highland in?

Highland Community Unit School District 5, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,730 students in 6 schools (2024–25).

Where do Highland kids go to high school?

Highland High School, with 844 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Highland’s graduation rate?

91% of the class of 2023 in Highland Community Unit School District 5 graduated in four years, against 88% across Illinois.

How much does Highland spend per student?

$14,068 in Highland Community Unit School District 5 (FY2024), against $21,567 across Illinois. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Highland families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Highland → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2020–21, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Illinois. Stars are from neighbors.