Is Highland Lakes Elementary School a good school?

Highland Lakes Elementary School ranks 612 th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Highland Lakes Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 468 students attended Highland Lakes Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Highland Lakes Elementary School?

Students at Highland Lakes Elementary School are 71% White, 16% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 4% African American, 3% Asian.

What schools do graduates of Highland Lakes Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Highland Lakes Elementary School usually go on to attend: Middle : Joseph L. Carwise Middle School High : Palm Harbor University High

Highland Lakes Elementary School

Summary:

Highland Lakes Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Palm Harbor, Florida, serving grades PK-5 with a student population of 529. The school is part of the Pinellas County School District, which is ranked 23rd out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Highland Lakes consistently outperforms the Pinellas County and Florida state averages in standardized test scores across grades and subjects. In the 2023-2024 school year, 68% of 5th graders were proficient or better in Statewide Science, compared to 64% in Pinellas County and 53% statewide. Additionally, 70% of 3rd graders were proficient or better in FAST English Language Arts, compared to 62% in Pinellas County and 55% statewide. However, the school has seen an increase in chronic absenteeism rates, rising from 9.4% in 2018-2019 to 18.0% in 2022-2023, which is higher than the nearby schools like Forest Lakes Elementary School and Garrison-Jones Elementary School.

Highland Lakes has a higher percentage of White students (69.38%) compared to the nearby schools, which range from 58.42% to 81.89% White. The school also has a higher percentage of Hispanic students (16.45%) compared to the nearby schools, which range from 7.92% to 28.33% Hispanic. Additionally, Highland Lakes has a higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (43.67%) compared to the nearby schools, which range from 19.23% to 52.38%. These factors suggest that Highland Lakes serves a diverse student population with varying socioeconomic backgrounds, which may require additional resources and support to ensure all students have access to quality education.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

1230 Highlands Blvd
Palm Harbor, FL 34684

(727) 724-1429

District: Pinellas

SchoolDigger Rank:
612^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $11,982

Students who attend Highland Lakes Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Joseph L. Carwise Middle School
High:	Palm Harbor University High

Student/teacher ratio: 14.1

Number of students: 468

Racial breakdown:

White:

70.9%

Hispanic:

15.8%

Two or more races:

6.2%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 40.8%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Highland Lakes Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Highland Lakes Elementary School ranks better than 72.9% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 37^th among 90 ranked elementary schools in the Pinellas School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 71.35. (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: White (70.9%), Hispanic (15.8%), two or more races (6.2%). (See more...)

Compare Details 40.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Highland Lakes Elementary School is 14.1. 47 elementary schools in the Pinellas School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Highland Lakes Elementary School employs 33 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Highland Lakes Elementary School is $11,982. 61 elementary schools in the Pinellas School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Pinellas:

SchoolDigger ranks Pinellas 23^rd of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Highland Lakes Elementary School.

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Your rating for Highland Lakes Elementary School?

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Rank History for Highland Lakes Elementary School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	73.17	453^rd	1688	73.2%
2007	78.29	348^th	1786	80.5%
2008	80.23	311^th	1789	82.6%
2009	86.59	177^th	1847	90.4%
2010	80.51	310^th	1919	83.8%
2011	75.73	453^rd	1985	77.2%
2012	81.37	320^th	1984	83.9%
2013	77.12	409^th	2029	79.8%
2014	78.88	387^th	2064	81.3%
2016	71.15	581^st	2087	72.2%
2017	81.09	357^th	2112	83.1%
2018	77.53	436^th	2118	79.4%
2019	70.49	609^th	2182	72.1%
2021	79.02	450^th	2247	80.0%
2022	67.68	672^nd	2219	69.7%
2023	65.88	719^th	2240	67.9%
2024	71.35	612^th	2256	72.9%

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: 3.7)

67%

33%

Reviews:

by a parent
Thursday, August 22, 2013

Horrible!!! This school dose not have recess, kids are not allowed to socialize, they are not allowed to talk , not during P:E , not during lunch and obviously not during class. I have been sending my daughter to this school for three years and i had enough. She is a sweet child that has been scared by the "bubble mouth" system , she would love to go to school but not anymore, now its all about the Fcats. all about MONEY, our kids have become a commodity to these people, learning should be social, should be fun, as a teacher myself i feel that we are guiding our kids in a wrong manner in general but specially at Highland Lakes Elementary their no tolerance attitude towards kids, is very low, very low! Close Quote

by a student
Wednesday, June 8, 2011

I used to go to Highland Lakes Elementary in 2003 - 2006 and it was the best school ever. The teachers are amazing, and so nice, I was a straight A student, there was so many fun things to do there. There were annual walk-a-thon's, and in October there was this thing called Monster Mash where there was just a bunch of games outside and a haunted house, and you dressed up in your costume, and won prizes & face paintings, etc. I couldent wait to go to school in the morning.I'm still friends with ALL my friends from there. I'm now in 8th grade, and I miss that school so much. Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, May 3, 2011

My son is kindergarten and his teacher is great, she goes the extra mile with her class. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Highland Lakes Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1992	611	45	3	9	0	n/a	n/a	0	668
1993	837	37	8	12	0	n/a	n/a	0	894
1994	999	47	8	10	1	n/a	n/a	0	1065
1995	694	37	11	10	1	n/a	n/a	0	753
1996	694	37	11	10	1	n/a	n/a	0	753
1997	677	26	17	10	1	n/a	n/a	0	731
1998	636	38	19	8	0	n/a	n/a	0	701
1999	596	38	11	9	5	n/a	n/a	0	659
2000	604	34	9	21	4	n/a	n/a	0	672
2001	645	23	8	29	2	n/a	n/a	0	707
2002	651	15	15	30	3	n/a	n/a	0	714
2003	651	15	15	30	3	n/a	n/a	0	714
2004	673	11	12	30	0	n/a	n/a	0	726
2005	704	16	10	42	3	n/a	n/a	0	775
2006	644	13	11	43	2	n/a	n/a	0	713
2007	595	11	11	41	2	n/a	n/a	38	698
2008	547	11	10	47	3	n/a	n/a	33	651
2009	543	15	13	44	7	n/a	n/a	34	656
2010	536	16	14	43	5	n/a	n/a	38	652
2011	489	24	17	74	4	0	17	0	625
2012	446	19	16	64	1	0	17	0	563
2013	424	18	16	65	0	0	20	0	543
2014	407	21	27	54	0	0	23	0	532
2015	439	30	22	47	1	1	35	0	575
2016	473	28	18	59	1	1	42	0	622
2017	421	23	21	84	0	1	32	0	582
2018	403	25	20	77	0	0	37	0	562
2019	398	25	18	88	1	0	54	0	584
2020	374	25	20	79	1	0	41	0	540
2021	335	17	21	82	0	1	31	0	487
2022	361	21	18	88	1	0	29	0	518
2023	367	24	15	87	1	1	34	0	529
2024	332	19	12	74	1	1	29	0	468

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 Highland Lakes Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1992	668	35.0	19.0	12
1993	894	42.0	21.3	12.4
1994	1065	52.0	20.5	12.5
1995	753	40.0	18.8	17.3
1996	753	40.0	18.8	17.3
1997	731	40.0	18.3	17.9
1998	701	38.0	18.4	18.1
1999	659	38.0	17.3	24.4
2000	672	38.0	17.7	19.5
2001	707	39.0	18.1	23.2
2002	714	39.0	18.3	20.4
2003	714	39.0	18.3	20.4
2004	726	38.0	19.1	17.2
2005	775	42.0	18.5	22.8
2006	713	40.0	17.8	19.1
2007	698	42.0	16.6	18.8
2008	651	42.0	15.5	18.1
2009	656	46.6	16.0	21.2
2010	652	41.0	15.9	27.9
2011	625	43.0	14.5	29.3
2012	563	38.5	14.6	33
2013	543	38.0	14.2	34.4
2014	532	38.0	14.0	36.3
2015	575	41.0	14.0	41.7
2016	622	42.0	14.8	41.5
2017	582	42.0	13.8	39.7
2018	562	41.0	13.7	40.2
2019	584	38.0	15.3	39
2020	540	39.0	13.8	37.6
2021	487	35.0	13.9	36.1
2022	518	37.0	14.0	38.6
2023	529	38.0	13.9	43.7
2024	468	33.0	14.1	40.8

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 Highland Lakes Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1992	668	35.0	19.0	12
1993	894	42.0	21.3	12.4
1994	1065	52.0	20.5	12.5
1995	753	40.0	18.8	17.3
1996	753	40.0	18.8	17.3
1997	731	40.0	18.3	17.9
1998	701	38.0	18.4	18.1
1999	659	38.0	17.3	24.4
2000	672	38.0	17.7	19.5
2001	707	39.0	18.1	23.2
2002	714	39.0	18.3	20.4
2003	714	39.0	18.3	20.4
2004	726	38.0	19.1	17.2
2005	775	42.0	18.5	22.8
2006	713	40.0	17.8	19.1
2007	698	42.0	16.6	18.8
2008	651	42.0	15.5	18.1
2009	656	46.6	16.0	21.2
2010	652	41.0	15.9	27.9
2011	625	43.0	14.5	29.3
2012	563	38.5	14.6	33
2013	543	38.0	14.2	34.4
2014	532	38.0	14.0	36.3
2015	575	41.0	14.0	41.7
2016	622	42.0	14.8	41.5
2017	582	42.0	13.8	39.7
2018	562	41.0	13.7	40.2
2019	584	38.0	15.3	39
2020	540	39.0	13.8	37.6
2021	487	35.0	13.9	36.1
2022	518	37.0	14.0	38.6
2023	529	38.0	13.9	43.7
2024	468	33.0	14.1	40.8

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 Highland Lakes Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$358 (4.0%)	$8,669 (96.0%)	$9,027
2019	$379 (4.2%)	$8,620 (95.8%)	$8,999
2020	$483 (4.8%)	$9,610 (95.2%)	$10,093
2021	$1,101 (9.7%)	$10,251 (90.3%)	$11,352
2022	$1,338 (12.4%)	$9,473 (87.6%)	$10,813
2023	$1,262 (10.5%)	$10,720 (89.5%)	$11,982

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Highland Lakes 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 609^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 719^th of 2240 Elementary schools	4.2%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Highland Lakes Elementary School)	72	55	17%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Pinellas)	56	52	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Highland Lakes Elementary School)	78	61	17%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Pinellas)	62	60	2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Highland Lakes Elementary School)	69	64	5%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Pinellas)	56	57	1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Highland Lakes Elementary School)	72	63	9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Pinellas)	64	65	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Highland Lakes Elementary School)	58	64	6%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Pinellas)	54	58	4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Highland Lakes Elementary School)	58	62	4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Pinellas)	60	58	2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Highland Lakes Elementary School)	62	62
5th Grade Science (Pinellas)	54	60	6%
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	584	529	9.4%
African American	25	24	4%
American Indian	1	1
Asian	18	15	16.7%
Hispanic	88	87	1.1%
Pacific Islander	0	1
White	398	367	7.8%
Two or More Races	54	34	37%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	39%	43.7%	4.6%

Schools Near Highland Lakes 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 Biology 1 (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 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Highland Lakes Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1230 Highlands Blvd	Palm Harbor	34684	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	No	(727) 724-1429	468	33	14.1	40.8%	332 (70.9%)	19 (4.1%)	74 (15.8%)	12 (2.6%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	29 (6.2%)	71.4	612^th of 2256 public elementary schools	72.9%		65.9	719^th of 2240 public elementary schools	67.9%	107	70.0	53.0	60.0				63.0	67.0	75.0			68.0					$11,982	$1,262	$10,720
Lake St. George Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2855 County Road 95	Palm Harbor	34684	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	No	(727) 669-1161	572	38	15.0	38.6%	407 (71.2%)	35 (6.1%)	85 (14.9%)	9 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (6.3%)	86.1	281^st of 2256 public elementary schools	87.5%		85.3	278^th of 2240 public elementary schools	87.6%	3	71.0	75.0	70.0				78.0	79.0	73.0			72.0					$12,546	$1,254	$11,293
Curlew Creek Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3030 Curlew Rd	Palm Harbor	34684	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	No	(727) 724-1423	620	47	13.1	36.5%	415 (66.9%)	36 (5.8%)	116 (18.7%)	8 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	43 (6.9%)	87.1	247^th of 2256 public elementary schools	89.1%		77.1	463^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	79.3%	216	70.0	68.0	76.0				77.0	75.0	83.0			80.0					$13,572	$1,477	$12,095
Sutherland Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3150 N Belcher Rd	Palm Harbor	34683	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	No	(727) 724-1466	630	38	16.5	36.8%	467 (74.1%)	27 (4.3%)	83 (13.2%)	16 (2.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (5.7%)	89.3	202^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	91.0%		82.8	344^th of 2240 public elementary schools	84.6%	142	74.0	72.0	80.0				73.0	74.0	94.0			85.0					$10,839	$1,033	$9,806
Elisa Nelson Elementary	Public, Magnet	1-5	415 15th St	Palm Harbor	34683	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	Yes	No	No	(727) 588-5187	431	28	15.3	18.6%	331 (76.8%)	10 (2.3%)	45 (10.4%)	22 (5.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (5.3%)	96.2	32^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	98.6%		96.8	22^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	99.0%	10	88.0	85.0	80.0				87.0	90.0	87.0			89.0					$11,433	$974	$10,459
Cypress Woods Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4900 Cypress Woods Blvd	Palm Harbor	34685	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	No	(727) 538-7325	712	48	14.8	29.2%	550 (77.2%)	17 (2.4%)	84 (11.8%)	22 (3.1%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (5.2%)	91.9	116^th of 2256 public elementary schools	94.9%		93.2	88^th of 2240 public elementary schools	96.1%	28	81.0	65.0	79.0				85.0	85.0	88.0			81.0					$11,689	$1,062	$10,626
Plato Academy Palm Harbor Charter School	Public, Charter	K-8	1601 Curlew Rd	Palm Harbor	34683	Pinellas County	Pinellas	Yes	No	No	No	(727) 228-6850	353	30	11.7	27.5%	281 (79.6%)	7 (2.0%)	44 (12.5%)	9 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (3.4%)	80.4	395^th of 2256 public elementary schools	82.5%		82.9	341^st of 2240 public elementary schools	84.8%	54	73.0	65.0	78.0	82.0	80.0	61.0	76.0	62.0	68.0	74.0	73.0	61.0	26.0	89.0	95.0	100.0	$8,381	$659	$7,722
Ozona Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	601 Tampa Rd	Palm Harbor	34683	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	No	(727) 724-1589	763	49	15.5	26.5%	609 (79.8%)	3 (0.4%)	99 (13.0%)	9 (1.2%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	42 (5.5%)	93.6	79^th of 2256 public elementary schools	96.5%		84.8	294^th of 2240 public elementary schools	86.9%	215	79.0	78.0	76.0				84.0	87.0	85.0			86.0					$11,740	$1,240	$10,499
Forest Lakes Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	301 Pine Ave N	Oldsmar	34677	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	No	(813) 891-0785	501	36	13.9	35.3%	310 (61.9%)	20 (4.0%)	121 (24.2%)	17 (3.4%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.6%)	30 (6.0%)	81	378^th of 2256 public elementary schools	83.2%		83.3	330^th of 2240 public elementary schools	85.3%	48	61.0	64.0	79.0				66.0	77.0	71.0			81.0					$13,316	$1,545	$11,772
Garrison-Jones Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3133 Garrison Rd	Dunedin	34698	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	No	(727) 469-5716	598	37	16.1	44.0%	350 (58.5%)	23 (3.8%)	178 (29.8%)	10 (1.7%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.3%)	34 (5.7%)	73.5	559^th of 2256 public elementary schools	75.2%		68.2	656^th of 2240 public elementary schools	70.7%	97	59.0	66.0	57.0				68.0	72.0	69.0			74.0					$12,889	$1,444	$11,445

Highland Lakes Elementary School

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Rank History for Highland Lakes Elementary School

Review counts

Enrollment information for Highland Lakes Elementary School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Highland Lakes Elementary School

Student/Teacher Ratio Highland Lakes Elementary School

Per Pupil Expenditures for Highland Lakes Elementary School

Impact of COVID-19 on Highland Lakes Elementary School

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Highland Lakes Elementary School