The top reported proficiency rate is 38% in Social studies. The lowest is 14% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Highland Middle School
Highland Middle School serves seventh and eighth graders in Anderson, Indiana, as part of the Anderson Community School Corp. The school is a regular public school and sits on the eastern edge of the city.
The student body is diverse and draws from a community with a working-class economic profile. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Racially and ethnically, the school's enrollment reflects a mix where no single group holds an overwhelming majority; white students form the largest share, followed by Black students, Hispanic students, and students who identify as two or more races. Asian and American Indian students each represent a very small portion of the population. Data on the share of students with individualized education programs or who are English learners was not available in the profile, a gap a parent may wish to follow up on directly with the school.
On state assessments, Highland Middle School's results present a clear area of concern. Proficiency rates in both math and English language arts are low. About one in seven students scored proficient or above in math, and roughly one in six did so in English language arts. These are weak attainment figures. The overall proficiency index places the school above the midpoint among districts in Madison County, which indicates that other schools and districts in the county face similar challenges, but the absolute level is still a soft spot. Social studies testing data on the platform comes from a different era of assessment and is not comparable to current results, so it cannot be used to draw a recent picture.
Because Highland is a middle school that does not serve grades in which a four-year graduation rate is calculated, that metric does not apply here. The school also had no data available on chronic absenteeism or discipline rates in the profile.
The neighborhood and housing context matters for families considering this school. Anderson is a mid-sized city with a manufacturing heritage that still influences its economic base. Health care, manufacturing, and retail trade are the largest employment sectors. Median home values in the area are well below national and state averages, and rents are relatively affordable, making the city a lower-cost option for residents. The housing market has seen some appreciation, and the city's population has grown modestly in recent years. Anderson has a traditional downtown core with cultural venues, a public library, and the Madison County Courthouse. However, the broader city is car-dependent, and most residents commute alone. The downtown area is walkable in its core but street life drops off quickly beyond it.
For a family evaluating Highland Middle School, the picture is mixed. The school serves a large and diverse student population in an economically modest community. The affordability of housing in Anderson is a clear draw, but the academic proficiency numbers are a serious concern. A parent would want to investigate what supports the school offers for students who are below grade level, what pathways exist for students who are on track, and how the school's approach fits their child's needs. The data on hand does not detail programming, staffing ratios, or course access, so those are natural next questions for a campus visit or a conversation with the principal and teachers.
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