Original Research by School Decision on Highland High School
Highland High School sits in Medina, a small county-seat city south of Cleveland that mixes a restored Victorian downtown around the Public Square with suburban neighborhoods and newer commercial corridors. The school serves grades nine through twelve and draws from a district facing real budget pressure. Most recent state testing data shows high proficiency across all subjects: science and social studies proficiency are especially strong, while math proficiency, though solid, sits modestly lower than the other three areas. English language arts proficiency is also high. Only one year of testing data was available, so year-to-year trends cannot be assessed.
The school's enrollment is moderate for a comprehensive four-year high school, distributed fairly evenly across grades. The student body is predominantly white, and about a modest share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Data on the share of students with individualized education plans and English learners was not available. The school does not carry Title I designation.
Highland Local Schools has recently navigated significant fiscal headwinds that matter for families considering the area. The district's operating levy failed at the ballot in May 2025, and the district projects ongoing annual deficits. School leaders have signaled plans to return to voters in May 2026 with another funding request while weighing staff, service, and program reductions if no new revenue is approved. Additionally, the Medina County Budget Commission proposed a substantial cut to the district's voter-approved property tax revenue under a new state law, though Highland challenged the action in court and the outcome remains unsettled. These disputes introduce real uncertainty about how much school funding will actually be available in the near term and how stable program offerings will remain.
Medina itself is growing, particularly on the north side where new residential subdivisions are under development, including communities within the Highland school district. Home values and rents in the 44256 zip code are somewhat above the state average and close to the national median. The area's employment base includes healthcare (Cleveland Clinic), manufacturing (Owens Corning roofing plant, the historic A.I. Root Company), retail and grocery (Buehler's Fresh Foods, Walmart), and county government. Public transit is available through Medina County Public Transit, though the region is auto-oriented outside the walkable downtown core. The city sits within easy reach of major interstates.
A parent evaluating Highland High School should weigh the school's solid academic proficiency against the district's immediate budget uncertainty. The strong recent test results are real, but the district's inability to pass an operating levy and the ongoing property-tax dispute suggest that program continuity and resource stability may be at risk in the coming one to two years. For families moving to the area or choosing a school, a parent may want to look directly into the district's budget plans and any anticipated changes to course offerings, staffing, or activities before deciding.
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