Highland High School
Highland High School serves 2,734 students in grades 9-12.
Highland High School placed in the bottom 50% of all schools in California for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%) for the 2018-19 school year.
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 12% (which is lower than the California state average of 40%) for the 2018-19 school year. The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 36% (which is lower than the California state average of 51%) for the 2018-19 school year.
The student:teacher ratio of 23:1 is equal to the California state level of 23:1.
Minority enrollment is 86% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the California state average of 77% (majority Hispanic).
School Overview
Highland High School's student population of 2,734 students has declined by 5% over five school years.
The teacher population of 121 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
2,734 students

Gender %

Total Classroom Teachers
121 teachers

Students by Grade

School Calendar
School Rankings
Highland High School is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 9,659 schools in California (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2018-19 school year.
The diversity score of Highland High School is 0.59, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.64. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#8085 out of 9659 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)

Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
12%
40%

Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
36%
51%

Student : Teacher Ratio
23:1
23:1

American Indian
1%
1%

Asian
5%
12%

Hispanic
61%
54%

Black
16%
5%

White
14%
23%

Hawaiian
n/a
1%
Two or more races
3%
4%

All Ethnic Groups



Graduation Rate
89%
84%

Eligible for Free Lunch
57%
53%

Eligible for Reduced Lunch
8%
7%

School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: 2017-2018 (latest school year available) NCES, CA Dept. of Education
School Notes
- Highland High School is located in Palmdale, California and is part of the Antelope Valley Union High School District. It received a California Distinguished School award in 2005.
- Highland High School was founded in 1989 in response to Palmdale's rapid population growth. Palmdale High School was not large enough to serve the children of the new families moving into the Antelope Valley. Highland High School is now the largest high school under the Antelope Valley Union High School District.
- The school's website defines its mission as follows:
- "The mission of Highland High School is to provide an opportunity for all students to be empowered with the knowledge and skills derived from a quality core and elective curriculum; to encourage all students to develop their capacity for critical thought and effective communication in order to function in the jobs available today and in the future; and to become well-informed and productive citizens."
- Notable alumni: Will Demps, Marcus Demps, Ryan Millar, Shauna Gambill, and Jason Kubel attended Highland High.
School Reviews
Review Highland High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Nearby Homes for Sale
-
4157 COCINA LN
PALMDALE, CA$585,000- 4 Beds | 2 Baths
- (2.93 miles from school)
-
4324 OLIVERA PL
QUARTZ HILL, CA$695,000- 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths
- (4.94 miles from school)
-
4606 PARTON CT
LANCASTER, CA$820,000- 4 Beds | 3.75 Baths
- (6.34 miles from school)
-
45323 17TH ST W
LANCASTER, CA$469,000- 4 Beds | 3 Baths
- (8.41 miles from school)
Recent Articles

Tutoring & Supplemental Education: The Pros and Cons
We look at the pros and cons of personal tutors, learning centers and other types of supplemental education.

What Public School Students Should Expect After COVID-19
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the financial impact of COVID-19 on public schools and what to expect in the future. We’ll talk about the effects of budget cuts and other challenges affecting the public school system for the remainder of this school year and into the next.

Miami-Dade Teachers to Receive Mental Health Training
In response to the Sandy Hook tragedy, Miami-Dade Schools will now be offering mandatory mental health training to faculty and staff inside the district schools.