The top reported proficiency rate is 74% in Math. The lowest is 64% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Highland Park Elementary School
Highland Park Elementary is a public school serving kindergarten through fourth grade in Grove City, a fast-growing Columbus suburb southwest of downtown. The school enrolls roughly mid-sized cohorts across its five grades, with a student body that is majority white, and a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.
In math, the school's proficiency rate is solidly above where many elementary schools land. In reading and language arts, proficiency sits noticeably lower, creating an asymmetry worth noting for any family whose child struggles with literacy. Measured against other schools in Franklin County that serve similar grade bands, Highland Park's overall proficiency index places it below the county midpoint. The school participates fully in state testing; these numbers represent the full tested population of third and fourth graders.
Social studies testing data from the school is not recent, so it does not offer a current picture. No data on chronic absenteeism, special education enrollment rates, English learner enrollment, or school discipline is available; for a family with a child in special education or an English learner household, checking directly with the school on how it serves these students would be essential.
Grove City itself is in the midst of rapid residential growth, anchored by the Beulah Park development, a large mixed-use community built on the former racetrack site. The town center, along Broadway, remains walkable with local shops, restaurants, and the Southwest Public Library, but the broader landscape is suburban and car-oriented. Housing values are moderate for the metro area, and rents are accessible. The city has a solid park system, transit connection to downtown Columbus via COTA, and a growing economy centered on healthcare, distribution logistics, and light manufacturing.
The South-Western City School District, which operates Highland Park and 30 other schools across five communities, passed a significant governance decision in April 2025 when the board voted to join professional organizations, including the National School Board Leadership Council, whose publicly stated positions include removing students with learning challenges from general education, promoting competition with charter and private schools, and characterizing non-English-speaking students as an unacceptable cost. The decision prompted sustained parent and teacher opposition and prompted families, particularly those with children in special education or English learner services, to publicly consider leaving the district. Any parent evaluating this school should view this as an active signal of the district's direction on inclusive education, and a reason to ask the school and district directly about how they serve students with IEPs, students learning English, and students with diverse learning profiles.
The district also completed a substantial facilities investment in 2022, opening four new middle school buildings to replace older buildings, a durable improvement that families moving into the area will encounter as their children progress.
Highland Park sits within a growing market where demand for housing and school seats is expected to rise. The school's reading proficiency gap relative to math, and its below-midpoint position among county elementary schools, are real considerations for a family prioritizing strong literacy instruction; a conversation with the school about its reading and writing programs and support structures would be worthwhile before enrolling.
See more original research from School Decision →