The top reported proficiency rate is 94% in Science. The lowest is 80% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Highland Middle School
Highland Middle School serves the sixth through eighth grades in the Highland Local district, which covers parts of Medina County south of the city of Medina. The school sits on Ridge Road in a growing area seeing new residential subdivisions and development aimed at young families.
The school's academic performance is strong across the board. In English language arts, proficiency is notably high. In mathematics, proficiency remains solid, and in science, the rate reaches a high level. All three core subjects show well above-average performance when compared with other districts in Medina County—in fact, across tested subjects and grades, Highland Middle School ranks in the top quartile of the county's schools. These are consistent, dependable results with full student participation in the state assessments.
The enrollment sits at a comfortable middle-school size for the grade band, with roughly equal distribution across the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. The school draws students who are predominantly white, and the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch is modest, suggesting a student body from families with moderate to solid economic stability. Data on special education enrollment and English learner populations was not available.
Medina itself is a small county-seat city mixing a restored Victorian historic downtown centered on the Public Square with a commercialized northern corridor and newer residential subdivisions. The public square anchors a nine-block historic district with specialty shops, restaurants, and seasonal events including farmers markets, concerts, and festivals. The broader region includes healthcare employers such as Cleveland Clinic, manufacturing anchored by Owens Corning and the historic A.I. Root beekeeping equipment company, and retail. The area is one of the fastest-growing in the county, with multiple new-home developments breaking ground or under way, including Blue Heron and subdivisions in the Highland district's service area targeting families with school-age children.
Parents considering Highland Middle School should be aware of significant budget pressures facing the district. Highland's May 2025 operating levy failed at the ballot, and the district projected annual deficits beginning in 2025. District leaders have signaled they plan to return to the ballot—likely in May 2026—while simultaneously weighing staff, service, and program reductions. Additionally, a state property-tax measure created uncertainty about how much voter-approved local tax revenue the district can actually collect going forward; a legal dispute between the district and the county budget commission was unresolved as of spring 2026. These two challenges mean the district's funding situation remains unsettled, which can affect program offerings and service continuity. Prospective families may want to stay informed about the district's budget outlook and any near-term decisions about cuts as they consider enrollment.
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