The top reported proficiency rate is 66% in Math. The lowest is 49% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Highlands Middle School
Highlands Middle School serves grades six through eight in Fort Thomas, a primarily residential suburb of Cincinnati that sits on a bluff overlooking the Ohio River. The school is part of the Fort Thomas Independent district, a small system with three elementary schools, this middle school, and Highlands High School. The community is known historically as the “city of beautiful homes,” with a substantial share of its housing stock dating back multiple decades, an established leafy feel, and a daytime population that drops markedly as residents commute to jobs in Cincinnati and surrounding Northern Kentucky. Home values here sit well above the Kentucky median, reflecting the desirability and stability of the neighborhood. The district recently rebuilt Johnson Elementary, which reopened for the 2021-2022 school year, a sign of investment in facilities.
The student body is predominantly white, with small shares of students who are Hispanic, Black, Asian, or of two or more races. The school does not report the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, nor does it report the share of students with disabilities or English learners, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about these aspects of student support. The school is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and serves all students in its attendance zone.
Academically, Highlands Middle School performs at a level that places it in the top quartile among districts in Campbell County, a strong showing. In math, proficiency varies across the grades. In sixth grade a solid majority of students meet the state’s proficiency benchmark, and in seventh grade the share is even higher, with about three-quarters reaching that level. Eighth-grade math is lower, with just over half of students proficient, a drop that a parent may want to look into further with the school. In English language arts, the pattern is similar: sixth and seventh graders perform well above a simple majority, while eighth-grade reading proficiency sits closer to half, a softer spot. Science is tested in seventh grade, where just over half of students are proficient. Social studies is tested in eighth grade, where roughly half of students meet the benchmark. The overall picture is one of solid academic results with a notable dip in eighth grade across subjects, a pattern the school may be able to explain.
Because this is a middle school serving only grades six through eight, there is no graduation rate to report, and the school is not measured by high school metrics like AP or dual-credit offerings. The school’s program offerings are not included in the available data, so a parent should inquire directly about electives, music, art, athletics, and any special academic tracks.
The Fort Thomas housing market is expensive relative to Kentucky as a whole. The typical home value in the area is well above the state median, and the typical rent is also elevated, driven by the community’s historic housing stock, its reputation, and its proximity to Cincinnati. A mortgage at current rates would be a substantial monthly commitment, and renting is somewhat more affordable than buying, though both are above national norms. The economic context is stable: the national unemployment rate has been steady in the low single digits, and real median household income nationally has risen gradually in recent years.
For a family considering Highlands Middle School, the academic evidence points to a school that performs well overall, especially in the earlier middle-school grades, with eighth grade representing a relative soft spot in both math and reading. The surrounding community is affluent, established, and built around single-family homes on tree-lined streets, with a modest commercial corridor and civic life centered on parks and community facilities. The school serves a population that is not highly diverse in terms of race or ethnicity. The district has invested in a new elementary school recently, suggesting ongoing attention to its facilities. A parent weighing this school should contact the school for specifics on special education services, English learner supports, and the range of programs and activities available to students.
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