For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public schools serving 2,004 students in Highlands School District. This district's average testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Pennsylvania.
Public Schools in Highlands School District have an average math proficiency score of 30% (versus the Pennsylvania public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 56% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 29% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Pennsylvania public school average of 40% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (PA)
# Schools
4 Schools
2,932 Schools
# Students
2,004 Students
1,666,699 Students
# Teachers
162 Teachers
124,207 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Highlands School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 677 school districts in Pennsylvania (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 82% has increased from 75-79% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#466 out of 685 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
30%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
45%
55%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
47%
57%
Graduation Rate
82%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.47
0.60
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
5%
% Hispanic
4%
16%
% Black
10%
14%
% White
71%
60%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
14%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $23,066 in this school district is less than the state median of $23,724. The school district revenue/student has grown by 20% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $21,272 is less than the state median of $23,146. The school district spending/student has grown by 15% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$46 MM
$39,541 MM
Spending
$43 MM
$38,578 MM
Revenue / Student
$23,066
$23,724
Spending / Student
$21,272
$23,146
Best Highlands School District Public Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Highlands Sr. High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1500 Pacific Ave
Natrona Heights, PA 15065
(724) 226-1000
Natrona Heights, PA 15065
(724) 226-1000
Gr: 9-12 | 665 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #22.
Highlands Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
101 East 9th Ave
Tarentum, PA 15084
(724) 224-0300
Tarentum, PA 15084
(724) 224-0300
Gr: 1-4 | 559 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #33.
Highlands Middle School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1350 Broadview Boulevard
Natrona Heights, PA 15065
(724) 226-0600
Natrona Heights, PA 15065
(724) 226-0600
Gr: 5-8 | 575 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: n/an/a
1060 Atlantic Ave
Brackenridge, PA 15014
(724) 224-5880
Brackenridge, PA 15014
(724) 224-5880
Gr: PK-K | 205 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Highlands School District?
Highlands School District manages 4 public schools serving 2,004 students.
What is the rank of Highlands School District?
Highlands School District is ranked #475 out of 677 school districts in Pennsylvania (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year.
What is the racial composition of students in Highlands School District?
71% of Highlands School District students are White, 14% of students are Two or more races, 10% of students are Black, 4% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Highlands School District?
Highlands School District has a student/teacher ratio of 12:1, which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 13:1.
What is Highlands School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $21,272 is less than the state median of $23,146. The school district spending/student has grown by 15% over four school years.
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
