The top reported proficiency rate is 40% in Math. The lowest is 29% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Highland Park Elementary
Highland Park Elementary is a regular public school in Columbia, Tennessee, serving students from prekindergarten through fourth grade as part of Maury County Public Schools. It is a neighborhood elementary school, not a charter or magnet, and its enrollment reflects a diverse student body. The largest groups are students who identify as Hispanic, followed by White and Black students, with a smaller share identifying as two or more races and very small numbers of Asian and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, receive special education services, or are English learners was not available from the state data we reviewed.
On the state’s TNReady assessments, which are administered to students in grades three and four, the school’s results show that a minority of students met the proficiency benchmark in math and English language arts, and an even smaller minority did so in science. The most recent science data is from the same testing year as the math and reading results. An older social studies result exists from several years ago, but changes to the test and its scoring make it unsuitable for a current comparison. Participation rates in testing were very high, meaning the results reflect nearly all enrolled students in those grades.
The school sits in Columbia, the county seat of Maury County and a fast-growing city along the Interstate 65 corridor south of Nashville. Columbia blends a historic downtown centered on a town square and the Maury County courthouse with newer suburban and rural development. The city has seen notable population growth in recent years, and housing costs in the area are above the statewide median, roughly in line with national levels. Rents also follow that pattern. The Duck River runs through downtown, and the city has invested in parks and an emerging arts district. The growth is partly driven by commuters and new residents drawn to the region’s economic activity.
Maury County Public Schools, the parent district, made a change that is directly relevant to families with children who will eventually attend middle or high school. In 2024, the school board approved a shift from a 10-point to a 12-point grading scale, meaning that scores of 90 to 92 now earn a B instead of an A. This decision generated backlash from parents who worry it could put students at a disadvantage for college admissions and scholarships compared to neighboring districts that still use the 10-point scale. A board member later filed a resolution to review the policy, so the issue remains active. The district also debated a more restrictive cell phone policy for the 2024-2025 school year, part of a broader trend across Middle Tennessee.
Because Highland Park Elementary serves only prekindergarten through fourth grade, there is no graduation rate to report, and no data on advanced coursework or career pathways—those offerings begin at higher grade levels. Information on chronic absenteeism and discipline was also absent from the data we used. For a family considering this school, the academic results are a central point to investigate further with the school or district, especially to understand the instructional supports in place. The community context, including Columbia’s growth and the district’s recent grading policy, also shapes what it is like to live and attend school here.
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