The top reported proficiency rate is 61% in Social studies. The lowest is 28% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Highland Community Elementary
Highland Community Elementary is a regular public school serving preschool through fifth grade in the village of Highland, Iowa County. It is part of the Highland School District and sits in a small rural community where civic organizations, volunteer fire and rescue services, and churches anchor daily life. The school is small, which typically means smaller class sizes and a setting where staff and families know one another.
The student body is predominantly white, with a modest share of students from other racial and ethnic backgrounds. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that economic diversity is present in the building. Information on students receiving special education services or English learner support was not available in the data reviewed, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those programs.
State assessment results for the most recent school year offer a mixed picture. In grade three, a majority of students met or exceeded proficiency in both math and English language arts. By grade four and especially grade five, the share of students reaching that bar dropped in both subjects. Science results in grade four were lower than the corresponding English and social studies scores. Social studies in grade four showed a stronger result, with most students proficient. When looking at the school’s overall proficiency across all tested subjects and grades, it falls in the bottom quarter among districts in Iowa County. The pattern of stronger early-grade performance tapering off as students get older is one a parent may want to explore further with the school, especially to understand what supports are in place for upper-elementary students.
Housing in the area is priced below state averages, making the village relatively affordable compared to many Wisconsin communities. The village recently expanded its industrial park and has residential lots for sale, signaling modest growth. Most residents drive to work, commuting times are typical for a rural area, and the village park and nearby Blackhawk Lake Recreation Area provide outdoor recreation. The school itself is described on the village website as serving both educational and community sports functions, suggesting it is integrated into village life rather than isolated.
No data on chronic absenteeism, discipline rates, staffing ratios, or course access was available. Because the school serves only through fifth grade, there is no graduation rate to report. A parent looking for detailed information on teacher experience, class sizes, or enrichment offerings would need to follow up with the district.
The Highland School District did not have any major recent changes publicly reported in the period reviewed, so families can expect continuity in leadership and programming. For a family seeking a small, rural elementary school with a tight-knit community feel and relatively affordable housing, Highland Community Elementary fits that description. The academic results, however, show room for improvement in upper grades, and a proactive conversation with the school about how it addresses declining proficiency would be a reasonable next step.
See more original research from School Decision →