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Highlands School District

Item: Highlands School District
Rating: 4
Author: Public School Review

1500 Pacific Avenue
Natrona Heights, PA 15065-0288

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (724) 226-2400

www.goldenrams.com

For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public schools serving 2,004 students in Highlands School District. This district's average is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Pennsylvania.

Public Schools in Highlands School District have an score of 30% (versus the Pennsylvania public school average of 38%), and score of 45% (versus the 56% statewide average).

Minority enrollment is 29% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Pennsylvania public school average of 40% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Overview

This School District

This State (PA)

# Schools

4 Schools

2,932 Schools

# Students

2,004 Students

1,666,699 Students

# Teachers

162 Teachers

124,207 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

12:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Highlands School District	Pennsylvania
Pre-K	64	10
Kind	141	151
1	150	158
2	135	162
3	138	169
4	136	162
5	162	168
6	131	169
7	150	171
8	132	173
9	175	185
10	164	181
11	166	178
12	160	177

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District Rank

Highlands School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 677 school districts in Pennsylvania (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 82% has increased from 75-79% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (PA)

#466 out of 685 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Highlands School District
2023	#466
2022	#474
2021	#410
2019	#471
2018	#452
2017	#494
2016	#483
2015	#468
2014	#455
2013	#399
2012	#340

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30%

38%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Highlands School District	Pennsylvania
2023	30%	38%
2022	29%	36%
2021	29%	38%
2019	38%	45%
2018	38%	45%
2017	35%	46%
2016	35%	46%
2015	34%	43%
2014	68%	72%
2013	74%	73%
2012	75%	74%

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45%

55%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Highlands School District	Pennsylvania
2022	45%	55%
2021	48%	55%
2019	57%	62%
2018	38%	63%
2017	51%	63%
2016	53%	62%
2015	54%	62%
2014	64%	70%
2013	66%	70%
2012	70%	71%
2011	74%	73%

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47%

57%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Highlands School District	Pennsylvania
2022	47%	57%
2021	45%	64%

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82%

87%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Highlands School District	Pennsylvania
2023	82%	87%
2022	77%	87%
2021	87%	87%
2020	82%	87%
2019	82%	86%
2018	77%	86%
2017	82%	86%
2016	87%	86%
2015	77%	86%
2014	82%	86%
2013	80%	85%

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(2022-23)

34%

23.3%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Highlands School District	Pennsylvania
2023	34%	23.3%
2022	36.6%	26.6%
2021	34.7%	18.9%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.47

0.60

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Highlands School District	Pennsylvania
2023	0.41	0.58
2022	0.40	0.57
2021	0.37	0.57
2020	0.35	0.54
2019	0.35	0.54
2018	0.32	0.53
2017	0.32	0.53
2016	0.28	0.51
2015	0.26	0.51
2014	0.25	0.50
2013	0.25	0.48
2012	0.24	0.47
2011	0.23	0.47
2010	0.22	0.46
2009	0.22	0.44
2008	0.21	0.43
2007	0.21	0.42
2006	0.20	0.41
2005	0.16	0.40
2004	0.16	0.40
2003	0.15	0.39
2002	0.15	0.37
2001	0.15	0.37
2000	0.13	0.35
1999	0.13	0.35
1998	0.12	0.35
1997	0.12	0.34
1996	0.12	0.34
1995	0.12	0.33
1994	0.10	0.33
1993	0.09	0.31
1992	0.08	0.31
1991	0.07	0.31

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% American Indian

n/a

% Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1994-2023)
Year	Highlands School District	Pennsylvania
2023	1%	5%
2022	1%	4%
2021	2%	4%
2020	1%	4%
2019	1%	4%
2014	1%	4%
2013	1%	4%
2010	2%	4%
2009	1%	4%
2008	1%	3%
2007	1%	3%
2006	1%	3%
2005	1%	2%
2004	2%	2%
2002	1%	2%
2001	1%	2%
2000	1%	2%
1999	1%	2%
1994	1%	2%

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% Hispanic

16%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2001-2023)
Year	Highlands School District	Pennsylvania
2023	2%	14%
2022	2%	14%
2021	2%	13%
2020	2%	12%
2019	2%	12%
2018	2%	11%
2017	2%	11%
2016	2%	10%
2015	1%	10%
2014	1%	9%
2013	1%	9%
2012	2%	9%
2011	1%	8%
2010	2%	9%
2009	1%	7%
2008	1%	7%
2007	1%	7%
2005	1%	6%
2001	1%	5%

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% Black

10%

14%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Highlands School District	Pennsylvania
2023	9%	14%
2022	9%	14%
2021	8%	15%
2020	9%	15%
2019	9%	15%
2018	9%	15%
2017	9%	15%
2016	8%	15%
2015	8%	15%
2014	8%	15%
2013	8%	15%
2012	8%	15%
2011	8%	15%
2010	8%	15%
2009	9%	16%
2008	9%	16%
2007	10%	16%
2006	10%	16%
2005	7%	16%
2004	7%	16%
2003	8%	15%
2002	7%	15%
2001	6%	15%
2000	6%	15%
1999	6%	15%
1998	6%	15%
1997	6%	14%
1996	6%	14%
1995	6%	14%
1994	5%	14%
1993	4%	13%
1992	4%	13%
1991	3%	13%

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% White

71%

60%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Highlands School District	Pennsylvania
2023	76%	62%
2022	76%	63%
2021	78%	63%
2020	80%	65%
2019	80%	65%
2018	82%	66%
2017	82%	66%
2016	84%	68%
2015	86%	68%
2014	86%	69%
2013	86%	70%
2012	87%	71%
2011	88%	71%
2010	88%	72%
2009	88%	73%
2008	89%	74%
2007	88%	74%
2006	89%	75%
2005	91%	76%
2004	91%	76%
2003	92%	77%
2002	92%	78%
2001	92%	78%
2000	93%	79%
1999	93%	79%
1998	94%	79%
1997	94%	80%
1996	93%	80%
1995	94%	81%
1994	94%	81%
1993	95%	82%
1992	96%	82%
1991	97%	82%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

14%

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Highlands School District	Pennsylvania
2023	11%	5%
2022	10%	5%
2021	10%	5%
2020	8%	4%
2019	8%	4%
2018	7%	4%
2017	7%	4%
2016	6%	3%
2015	5%	3%
2014	4%	3%
2013	4%	2%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $23,066 in this school district is less than the state median of $23,724. The school district revenue/student has grown by 20% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $21,272 is less than the state median of $23,146. The school district spending/student has grown by 15% over four school years.

This School District

This State (PA)

Total Revenue

$46 MM

$39,541 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Highlands School District	Pennsylvania
2023	$46 MM	$27 MM
2022	$45 MM	$25 MM
2021	$46 MM	$27 MM
2020	$45 MM	$25 MM
2019	$47 MM	$25 MM
2018	$44 MM	$24 MM
2017	$44 MM	$24 MM
2016	$45 MM	$23 MM
2015	$38 MM	$21 MM
2014	$41 MM	$21 MM
2012	$39 MM	$20 MM
2011	$38 MM	$21 MM
2010	$38 MM	$21 MM
2009	$38 MM	$21 MM
2008	$37 MM	$21 MM
2007	$36 MM	$20 MM
2006	$34 MM	$20 MM
2005	$34 MM	$18 MM
2004	$32 MM	$17 MM
2003	$31 MM	$16 MM
2002	$29 MM	$18 MM
2001	$27 MM	$19 MM
2000	$28 MM	$18 MM
1999	$26 MM	$18 MM
1998	$26 MM	$18 MM
1997	$26 MM	$17 MM
1996	$26 MM	$17 MM
1995	$25 MM	$16 MM

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Spending

$43 MM

$38,578 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Highlands School District	Pennsylvania
2023	$43 MM	$25 MM
2022	$44 MM	$25 MM
2021	$43 MM	$25 MM
2020	$44 MM	$25 MM
2019	$45 MM	$25 MM
2018	$45 MM	$23 MM
2017	$43 MM	$23 MM
2016	$43 MM	$22 MM
2015	$42 MM	$20 MM
2014	$39 MM	$20 MM
2012	$35 MM	$19 MM
2011	$37 MM	$21 MM
2010	$42 MM	$20 MM
2009	$37 MM	$20 MM
2008	$37 MM	$20 MM
2007	$33 MM	$19 MM
2006	$31 MM	$21 MM
2005	$31 MM	$18 MM
2004	$30 MM	$17 MM
2003	$40 MM	$18 MM
2002	$34 MM	$19 MM
2001	$26 MM	$21 MM
2000	$25 MM	$18 MM
1999	$24 MM	$18 MM
1998	$24 MM	$18 MM
1997	$25 MM	$18 MM
1996	$24 MM	$17 MM
1995	$24 MM	$16 MM

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Revenue / Student

$23,066

$23,724

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Highlands School District	Pennsylvania
2023	$21,155	$21,465
2022	$19,081	$17,423
2021	$20,535	$20,683
2020	$19,081	$17,423
2019	$18,844	$17,496
2018	$17,391	$16,267
2017	$17,080	$17,283
2016	$17,024	$16,027
2015	$15,452	$12,967
2014	$16,532	$13,618
2012	$14,554	$12,923
2011	$14,024	$13,182
2010	$13,663	$12,967
2009	$13,318	$12,476
2008	$12,839	$11,970
2007	$12,733	$12,325
2006	$11,761	$11,373
2005	$11,689	$9,887
2004	$11,570	$9,342
2003	$10,866	$8,561
2002	$9,535	$9,347
2001	$8,801	$9,246
2000	$8,689	$8,505
1999	$7,907	$8,127
1998	$7,886	$7,716
1997	$7,611	$7,409
1995	$7,245	$6,949
1992	$6,296	$6,008

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Spending / Student

$21,272

$23,146

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Highlands School District	Pennsylvania
2023	$19,510	$20,114
2022	$18,354	$17,371
2021	$18,938	$19,381
2020	$18,354	$17,371
2019	$17,817	$17,056
2018	$17,705	$15,644
2017	$16,749	$16,490
2016	$16,363	$15,754
2015	$16,861	$12,300
2014	$15,404	$13,435
2012	$12,984	$12,431
2011	$13,600	$12,980
2010	$14,908	$12,300
2009	$13,228	$11,944
2008	$13,038	$11,838
2007	$11,646	$11,937
2006	$10,806	$11,377
2005	$10,630	$9,707
2004	$10,981	$9,347
2003	$14,235	$9,243
2002	$11,233	$9,853
2001	$8,509	$10,315
2000	$7,827	$8,598
1999	$7,355	$8,268
1998	$7,423	$7,996
1997	$7,393	$7,728
1995	$6,865	$6,895
1992	$6,208	$6,055

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Best Highlands School District Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Highlands Sr. High School

(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 60-64%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1500 Pacific Ave
Natrona Heights, PA 15065
(724) 226-1000

Gr: 9-12 | 665 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 23%

Rank: #22.

Highlands Elementary School

(Math: 40% | Reading: 47%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

101 East 9th Ave
Tarentum, PA 15084
(724) 224-0300

Gr: 1-4 | 559 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 33%

Rank: #33.

Highlands Middle School

(Math: 26% | Reading: 41%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1350 Broadview Boulevard
Natrona Heights, PA 15065
(724) 226-0600

Gr: 5-8 | 575 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 28%

Rank: n/an/a

Highlands Early Childhood Center

Add to Compare

1060 Atlantic Ave
Brackenridge, PA 15014
(724) 224-5880

Gr: PK-K | 205 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 37%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Highlands School District?

Highlands School District manages 4 public schools serving 2,004 students.

What is the rank of Highlands School District?

Highlands School District is ranked #475 out of 677 school districts in Pennsylvania (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year.

What is the racial composition of students in Highlands School District?

71% of Highlands School District students are White, 14% of students are Two or more races, 10% of students are Black, 4% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are Asian.

What is the student/teacher ratio of Highlands School District?

Highlands School District has a student/teacher ratio of 12:1, which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 13:1.

What is Highlands School District's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $21,272 is less than the state median of $23,146. The school district spending/student has grown by 15% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 4 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 2,004 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1
Minority Enrollment: 29%
: 82% (Btm 50% in PA)
: Bottom 50%
: 30% (Btm 50%)
: 45% (Btm 50%)
: 47% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education