Highlands Elementary School

Summary:

Highlands Elementary School is a public elementary school in Kissimmee, Florida, serving 665 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Osceola School District, which is ranked 58 out of 68 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Highlands Elementary faces significant challenges, with consistently high chronic absenteeism rates (up to 43.1% in 2021-2022) and low test scores that lag behind the district and state averages. For example, in 2023-2024, only 24% of 3rd graders were proficient in English Language Arts, compared to 55% statewide. The school also has a high percentage of students (57.59% to 70.51%) receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population. When compared to nearby schools like Thacker Avenue Elementary For International Studies and Kissimmee Elementary School, both within 2 miles, Highlands Elementary consistently ranks as one of the lower-performing schools in the area.

The consistently low performance of Highlands Elementary, with a statewide ranking between 1497 and 2212 over the past decade, suggests that the school has struggled to improve student outcomes over an extended period. The high rates of chronic absenteeism and economic disadvantage may be contributing factors to the school's academic challenges, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and support to address these issues and improve student success.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

800 W Donegan Ave
Kissimmee, FL 34741

(407) 935-3620

District: Osceola

SchoolDigger Rank:
2043^rd of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $11,226

Students who attend Highlands Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Denn John Middle School
High:	Osceola High School

Student/teacher ratio: 19.9

Number of students: 598

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

80.9%

White:

8.5%

African American:

5.4%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 64.5%

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Compare Highlands Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Highlands Elementary School ranks worse than 90.6% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 37^th among 44 ranked elementary schools in the Osceola School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 14.7. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (80.9%), White (8.5%), African American (5.4%). (See more...)

Compare Details 64.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary School is 19.9. 37 elementary schools in the Osceola School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Highlands Elementary School employs 30 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Highlands Elementary School is $11,226, which is the 10^th highest among 44 elementary schools in the Osceola School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Highlands Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Osceola:

SchoolDigger ranks Osceola 58^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Highlands Elementary School.

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Rank History for Highlands Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	8.13	1594^th	1688	5.6%
2007	14.37	1606^th	1786	10.1%
2008	11.02	1671^st	1789	6.6%
2009	24.40	1496^th	1847	19.0%
2010	30.43	1425^th	1919	25.7%
2011	29.67	1508^th	1985	24.0%
2012	18.59	1689^th	1984	14.9%
2013	18.56	1758^th	2029	13.4%
2014	17.44	1810^th	2064	12.3%
2016	30.53	1497^th	2087	28.3%
2017	25.84	1610^th	2112	23.8%
2018	26.05	1633^rd	2118	22.9%
2019	10.09	2057^th	2182	5.7%
2021	18.23	1888^th	2247	16.0%
2022	11.17	2081^st	2219	6.2%
2023	19.86	1897^th	2240	15.3%
2024	14.70	2043^rd	2256	9.4%

See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Monday, March 26, 2012

The teachers at Highlands Elementary work very hard to meet the needs of all their students. My son is in Kindergarten and I am amazed at how much they have done to enrich and challenge my son. The teachers are always welcoming and the school is inviting. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Highlands Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	462	93	14	27	0	n/a	n/a	0	596
1989	453	98	18	41	0	n/a	n/a	0	610
1990	563	100	42	72	0	n/a	n/a	0	777
1991	578	88	46	157	0	n/a	n/a	0	869
1992	570	105	57	174	0	n/a	n/a	0	906
1993	550	60	64	190	0	n/a	n/a	0	864
1994	571	66	69	232	0	n/a	n/a	0	938
1995	490	70	94	279	1	n/a	n/a	0	934
1996	490	70	94	279	1	n/a	n/a	0	934
1997	452	89	68	308	1	n/a	n/a	0	918
1998	386	93	59	315	1	n/a	n/a	0	854
1999	397	86	55	344	6	n/a	n/a	0	888
2000	370	84	51	380	5	n/a	n/a	0	890
2001	345	90	46	522	6	n/a	n/a	0	1009
2002	240	85	23	416	3	n/a	n/a	0	767
2003	240	85	23	416	3	n/a	n/a	0	767
2004	236	86	20	520	2	n/a	n/a	0	864
2005	208	101	14	564	3	n/a	n/a	0	890
2006	163	103	15	597	2	n/a	n/a	0	880
2007	136	84	20	529	1	n/a	n/a	49	819
2008	148	81	28	525	1	n/a	n/a	51	834
2009	108	91	24	514	2	n/a	n/a	58	797
2010	85	89	26	516	8	n/a	n/a	28	752
2011	85	79	26	542	7	1	5	0	745
2012	120	112	21	696	5	2	11	0	967
2013	115	118	12	756	5	3	7	0	1016
2014	91	123	20	710	4	3	10	0	961
2015	88	119	16	747	3	2	14	0	989
2016	75	72	13	693	3	1	10	0	867
2017	71	69	13	707	2	2	11	0	875
2018	59	72	16	712	2	1	15	0	877
2019	56	82	15	690	2	1	10	0	856
2020	56	54	15	645	1	1	9	0	781
2021	50	41	8	574	1	1	11	0	686
2022	47	48	12	584	0	1	10	0	702
2023	51	45	20	537	0	0	12	0	665
2024	51	32	26	484	0	0	5	0	598

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Highlands Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	596	35.0	17.0	34.6
1989	610	34.0	17.9	36.9
1990	777	37.0	21.0	36.4
1991	869	45.0	19.3	47.6
1992	906	48.0	18.8	37.5
1993	864	47.0	18.4	36.2
1994	938	44.0	21.3	43.6
1995	934	43.0	21.7	48.3
1996	934	43.0	21.7	48.3
1997	918	46.0	20.0	0
1998	854	44.0	19.4	37.5
1999	888	45.0	19.7	64
2000	890	45.0	19.8	66.4
2001	1009	49.0	20.6	66.8
2002	767	41.0	18.7	77.6
2003	767	41.0	18.7	77.6
2004	864	43.0	20.1	81.1
2005	890	48.0	18.5	83.7
2006	880	52.0	16.9	81.7
2007	819	50.0	16.4	84.9
2008	834	47.0	17.7	89.8
2009	797	48.4	16.6	92.7
2010	752	50.0	15.0	90.5
2011	745	48.0	15.5	86
2012	967	62.0	15.5	74.6
2013	1016	64.0	15.8	81.1
2014	961	65.0	14.7	53
2015	989	69.0	14.3	70.9
2016	867	64.0	13.5	76
2017	875	62.0	14.1	73.9
2018	877	62.0	14.1	77
2019	856	56.0	15.2	33.5
2020	781	51.0	15.3	67.2
2021	686	46.0	14.9	68.7
2022	702	40.0	17.5	70.5
2023	665	37.0	17.9	57.6
2024	598	30.0	19.9	64.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Highlands Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	596	35.0	17.0	34.6
1989	610	34.0	17.9	36.9
1990	777	37.0	21.0	36.4
1991	869	45.0	19.3	47.6
1992	906	48.0	18.8	37.5
1993	864	47.0	18.4	36.2
1994	938	44.0	21.3	43.6
1995	934	43.0	21.7	48.3
1996	934	43.0	21.7	48.3
1997	918	46.0	20.0	0
1998	854	44.0	19.4	37.5
1999	888	45.0	19.7	64
2000	890	45.0	19.8	66.4
2001	1009	49.0	20.6	66.8
2002	767	41.0	18.7	77.6
2003	767	41.0	18.7	77.6
2004	864	43.0	20.1	81.1
2005	890	48.0	18.5	83.7
2006	880	52.0	16.9	81.7
2007	819	50.0	16.4	84.9
2008	834	47.0	17.7	89.8
2009	797	48.4	16.6	92.7
2010	752	50.0	15.0	90.5
2011	745	48.0	15.5	86
2012	967	62.0	15.5	74.6
2013	1016	64.0	15.8	81.1
2014	961	65.0	14.7	53
2015	989	69.0	14.3	70.9
2016	867	64.0	13.5	76
2017	875	62.0	14.1	73.9
2018	877	62.0	14.1	77
2019	856	56.0	15.2	33.5
2020	781	51.0	15.3	67.2
2021	686	46.0	14.9	68.7
2022	702	40.0	17.5	70.5
2023	665	37.0	17.9	57.6
2024	598	30.0	19.9	64.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Highlands Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,060 (12.4%)	$7,501 (87.6%)	$8,561
2019	$970 (11.0%)	$7,820 (89.0%)	$8,790
2020	$1,042 (11.4%)	$8,136 (88.6%)	$9,178
2021	$1,856 (17.6%)	$8,715 (82.4%)	$10,571
2022	$1,852 (18.4%)	$8,220 (81.6%)	$10,073
2023	$2,763 (24.6%)	$8,463 (75.4%)	$11,226

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Highlands Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 2057^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1897^th of 2240 Elementary schools	9.6%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Highlands Elementary School)	31	31
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Osceola)	51	45	6%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Highlands Elementary School)	27	25	2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Osceola)	54	45	9%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Highlands Elementary School)	38	36	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Osceola)	51	46	5%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Highlands Elementary School)	31	33	2%
4th Grade Mathematics (Osceola)	53	48	5%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Highlands Elementary School)	34	34
5th Grade English Language Arts (Osceola)	48	46	2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Highlands Elementary School)	33	22	11%
5th Grade Mathematics (Osceola)	48	38	10%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Highlands Elementary School)	31	39	8%
5th Grade Science (Osceola)	45	40	5%
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	51	2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	856	665	22.3%
African American	82	45	45.1%
American Indian	2	0	100%
Asian	15	20	33.3%
Hispanic	690	537	22.2%
Pacific Islander	1	0	100%
White	56	51	8.9%
Two or More Races	10	12	20%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	33.5%	57.6%	24.1%

Schools Near Highlands Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)						FAST Math (2024)						Statewide Science Science (2024)		EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Geometry (2024)	EOC Biology 1 (2024)	EOC US History (2024)	EOC Civics (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC US History End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Highlands Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	800 W Donegan Ave	Kissimmee	34741	Osceola County	Osceola	No	No	No	Yes	(407) 935-3620	598	30	19.9	64.5%	51 (8.5%)	32 (5.4%)	484 (80.9%)	26 (4.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (0.8%)	14.7	2043^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	9.4%		19.9	1897^th of 2240 public elementary schools	15.3%	146	24.0	46.0	33.0				26.0	46.0	32.0				29.0							$11,226	$2,763	$8,463
Central Avenue Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	500 W Columbia Ave	Kissimmee	34741	Osceola County	Osceola	No	No	No	Yes	(407) 343-7330	598	36	16.6	55.7%	49 (8.2%)	98 (16.4%)	424 (70.9%)	8 (1.3%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	17 (2.8%)	9.3	2166^th of 2256 public elementary schools	4.0%		13.3	2075^th of 2240 public elementary schools	7.4%	91	22.0	20.0	28.0				28.0	23.0	42.0				31.0							$12,974	$3,154	$9,819
Osceola Science Charter School	Public, Charter	K-8	2849 N John Young Pkwy	Kissimmee	34741	Osceola County	Osceola	Yes	No	No	Yes	(321) 697-4040	1,144	56	20.4	54.9%	194 (17.0%)	105 (9.2%)	715 (62.5%)	98 (8.6%)	7 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	24 (2.1%)	55.5	954^th of 2256 public elementary schools	57.7%		54.9	973^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	56.6%	19	63.0	66.0	57.0	60.0	60.0	57.0	62.0	59.0	48.0	36.0	68.0	44.0	49.0	57.0	71.0	89.0	89.0		80.0	$7,534	$00	$7,534
Victory Charter School K-5	Public, Charter	K-5	2880 N. Orange Blossom Trail	Kissimmee	34741	Osceola County	Osceola	Yes	No	No	Yes	(321) 697-3800	327	22	14.8	35.2%	16 (4.9%)	15 (4.6%)	292 (89.3%)	2 (0.6%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9.7	2158^th of 2256 public elementary schools	4.3%		8.3	2167^th of 2240 public elementary schools	3.3%	9	21.0	22.0	28.0				25.0	27.0	44.0				26.0							$14,230	$2,369	$11,861
Renaissance Charter School At Tapestry	Public, Charter	K-8	2510 W Carroll St	Kissimmee	34741	Osceola County	Osceola	Yes	No	No	Yes	(407) 569-0163	1,420	30	47.3	64.0%	114 (8.0%)	67 (4.7%)	1,175 (82.7%)	46 (3.2%)	2 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (1.1%)	30.1	1619^th of 2256 public elementary schools	28.2%		30.4	1601^st of 2240 public elementary schools	28.5%	18	41.0	48.0	41.0	44.0	43.0	42.0	50.0	53.0	33.0	38.0	54.0	43.0	45.0	36.0	76.0	92.0	91.0	100.0	72.0	$8,457	$747	$7,710
Thacker Avenue Elementary For International Studies	Public	PK, KG-5	301 N Thacker Ave	Kissimmee	34741	Osceola County	Osceola	No	No	No	Yes	(407) 935-3540	624	36	17.5	70.8%	75 (12.0%)	73 (11.7%)	445 (71.3%)	17 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	12 (1.9%)	16.3	1999^th of 2256 public elementary schools	11.4%		22	1835^th of 2240 public elementary schools	18.1%	164	44.0	39.0	30.0				29.0	46.0	26.0				21.0							$12,068	$2,379	$9,689
Kissimmee Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3700 W Donegan Ave	Kissimmee	34741	Osceola County	Osceola	No	No	No	Yes	(407) 935-3640	792	46	17.4	50.5%	82 (10.4%)	56 (7.1%)	626 (79.0%)	4 (0.5%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (2.9%)	12.7	2092^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	7.3%		11.8	2108^th of 2240 public elementary schools	5.9%	16	33.0	31.0	32.0				46.0	29.0	27.0				28.0							$10,883	$2,559	$8,324
Flora Ridge Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2900 Dyer Blvd	Kissimmee	34741	Osceola County	Osceola	No	No	No	Yes	(407) 933-3999	1,015	58	17.5	53.7%	115 (11.3%)	99 (9.8%)	726 (71.5%)	33 (3.3%)	3 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	38 (3.7%)	10.8	2128^th of 2256 public elementary schools	5.7%		9.7	2139^th of 2240 public elementary schools	4.5%	11	41.0	33.0	29.0				35.0	25.0	21.0				26.0							$10,373	$2,516	$7,856
Mill Creek Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1700 Mill Slough Rd	Kissimmee	34744	Osceola County	Osceola	No	No	No	Yes	(407) 935-3660	687	39	17.6	63.8%	97 (14.1%)	82 (11.9%)	480 (69.9%)	11 (1.6%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	13 (1.9%)	10.4	2145^th of 2256 public elementary schools	4.9%		12.9	2084^th of 2240 public elementary schools	7.0%	61	39.0	26.0	32.0				39.0	32.0	22.0				19.0							$10,200	$2,014	$8,186
Kissimmee Charter Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	2850 Bill Beck Blvd	Kissimmee	34744	Osceola County	Osceola	Yes	No	No	Yes	(407) 847-1400	715	44	16.2	100.0%	69 (9.7%)	74 (10.3%)	544 (76.1%)	16 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	10 (1.4%)	15.9	2010^th of 2256 public elementary schools	10.9%		24.4	1757^th of 2240 public elementary schools	21.6%	253	53.0	29.0	36.0	36.0	35.0	37.0	45.0	16.0	32.0	22.0	25.0	51.0	31.0	35.0	67.0	100.0			49.0	$8,598	$1,544	$7,054

Frequently Asked Questions about Highlands Elementary School

What district is Highlands Elementary School in?

Osceola

What schools do graduates of Highlands Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Highlands Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Denn John Middle School
High : Osceola High School

What is the racial makeup of Highlands Elementary School?

Students at Highlands Elementary School are 81% Hispanic, 9% White, 5% African American, 4% Asian.

Is Highlands Elementary School a good school?

Highlands Elementary School ranks in the bottom 9.4% of Florida elementary schools.

How many students attend Highlands Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 598 students attended Highlands Elementary School.

Rate Highlands Elementary School!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.