The top reported proficiency rate is 83% in Science. The lowest is 57% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Highland El Sch
Highland Elementary is a kindergarten-through-fifth-grade school serving a small, suburban community just across the Susquehanna River from Harrisburg. It sits within West Shore School District, which spans multiple townships and boroughs on both sides of the river in Cumberland and York counties. The school serves Camp Hill, a compact, tree-lined borough known for walkable streets and a tight housing market where new family homes are scarce because vacant land is extremely limited.
The school currently enrolls a moderate-sized group of students across six grade levels. About one-third of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating mixed-income households. The racial and ethnic composition is predominantly white, with Hispanic, Asian, Black, and multiracial students making up smaller but meaningful portions of the enrollment. The school does not report data on students with IEPs or English learners, a gap common in elementary buildings.
On state assessments in reading and mathematics administered to third through fifth graders, Highland's results show a modest proficiency floor. In reading, about three-fifths of tested students scored at proficient or above, a measure that sits below typical grade-level expectations in many districts. Mathematics proficiency was somewhat higher, with nearly two-thirds of students meeting the standard. Science data from a recent year showed notably stronger results, with proficiency in the mid-eighties. The school's overall proficiency index places it at the top quartile among Cumberland County's elementary and secondary schools, which positions it well relative to its immediate geographic neighbors. A parent may want to discuss with the school the relative softness in reading proficiency and what classroom supports and interventions are in place for students not yet meeting that benchmark.
Camp Hill itself is a pedestrian-friendly borough with a walkable downtown district centered on Market Street, where residents patronize local cafes, boutiques, farmers markets, and civic events. The borough is home to Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center, a major healthcare employer, and to The AMES Companies, a large equipment manufacturer. The downtown business district has grown more active in recent years through work by the Downtown Camp Hill Association. Public parks, including Siebert Park with its public swimming pool and athletic facilities, give families outdoor space within walking distance. Schools in the district function as walkable destinations rather than bused campuses, reflecting the compact nature of the borough and its neighborhoods.
Families considering Highland should know that West Shore School District is undergoing significant structural changes. Elementary buildings have shifted to kindergarten-through-fourth-grade configurations, and two new intermediate schools for fifth and sixth graders opened in 2024, meaning children transition to a different building earlier than in some traditional K-8 or K-12 progressions. Additionally, property-tax millage has risen in consecutive years, a compounding cost for homeowners. The district's long-term capital plan includes a comprehensive renovation of Allen Middle School beginning in 2026, which will displace students into temporary locations for multiple years; while Highland families are not directly affected by that project, it signals ongoing construction activity and budgetary pressure across the district.
Housing in Camp Hill is relatively expensive and tight. The median home value is in the mid-to-upper range for the region, with year-over-year home prices rising modestly. Monthly rental costs are moderate relative to national benchmarks. The affordability landscape reflects Camp Hill's desirability and limited supply, so families considering the district should factor in both purchase and tax costs.
Highland Elementary offers a stable, walkable elementary education in a small, family-oriented community with modest but not especially strong reading proficiency outcomes. The school fits families seeking a compact suburban setting with local amenities, neighborhood schools, and proximity to the state capital, balanced against somewhat mixed academic performance and a rising property-tax environment.
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