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Email BoardHighlands Elementary
3131 South Barcelona Street, Spring Valley, CA 91977-3003
Summary
Highlands Elementary is underperforming.
Reading and math results average to the 47th percentile among comparable California schools.
Only 42.6% of students met California's reading standard, but it is trending up slightly.
Math is weaker: 35.7% of students met California's math standard, but it is trending up.
Proficiency stats
| Current Reading Proficiency | 42.6% |
| Current Math Proficiency | 35.7% |
| Reading State Rank | 2,445/4,657 (48th percentile) |
| Math State Rank | 2,532/4,657 (46th percentile) |
School information
| Student / Teacher Ratio | 22:1 |
| Student enrollment (2024–25) | 357 |
| Low-Income Students | 285 (79.8%) |
| English Learners | 92 (25.8%) |
School Website
Great Schools
Niche
Ed-Data
CAASPP| Admissions | Open enrollment |
|---|---|
| Charter school | No |
| Magnet school | No |
Test score trends
Reading fell 1.8 points from last year and rose 2.9 points over the full period. Math rose 4.5 points from last year and rose 8.6 points over the full period.
•Math +8.6 percentage points (2024–2026)Reading Proficiency Scores
2026 state test results
Race and Ethnicity
White and Hispanic or Latino students have the strongest results.
Distribution of Scores by Grade
The share meeting the reading standard ranges from 18.2% to 55.7% across the grades shown. Overall, the school’s reading results rank No. 2,445 of 4,657 among California schools in the same grade-level category.
Low-Income vs Non-Low-Income
The 33.9-point reading income gap is wider than the 19.8-point gap at a typical California K–5 school. It widened over the period shown.
•English Learners vs English Native
7.7% of English learners meet the reading standard, compared with 53.7% of English-only students. The gap widened as English-learner results fell and English-only results rose.
•Math Proficiency Scores
2026 state test results
Race and Ethnicity
White students have the strongest math results at about 60% proficiency. The other reported groups range from about 27% to 27%.
Distribution of Scores by Grade
The share meeting the math standard ranges from 27.3% to 41.9% across the grades shown. Overall, the school’s math results rank No. 2,532 of 4,657 among California schools in the same grade-level category.
Low-Income vs Non-Low-Income
The 33.3-point math income gap is wider than the 20.0-point gap at a typical California K–5 school. It widened over the period shown.
•English Learners vs English Native
9.8% of English learners meet the math standard, compared with 41.7% of English-only students. The gap widened as English-learner results rose and English-only results rose.
•Progress as students move up
2023–2026
How we compare income gaps
“Typical” means the median gap across 1,832 schools for reading and 1,839 for math. The comparison uses 2026 California K–5 schools with at least 20 tested students in each income group and a reported low-income student population. Each school counts once. Its gap is non-low-income proficiency minus low-income proficiency, including negative gaps. California state test data
Understanding this school
How does Highlands Elementary compare within the district?
Highlands Elementary is No. 10 in reading and No. 8 in math proficiency among the 17 K–5 schools in La Mesa-Spring Valley with 2026 results.
Explore the district’s schoolsHow does Highlands Elementary rank in California?
Highlands Elementary ranks No. 2,445 of 4,657 in reading and No. 2,532 of 4,657 in math for 2026. These proficiency rankings compare California schools in the same grade-level category.
How do low-income students at Highlands Elementary compare within the district?
Low-income students here rank No. 11 in reading and No. 9 in math among 17 K–5 district schools with reportable 2026 results for this group. 34.4% meet the reading standard and 27.7% meet the math standard.
See results by student groupHow does Highlands Elementary compare with other schools in Spring Valley?
Highlands Elementary is No. 3 in reading and No. 2 in math proficiency among the 8 K–5 schools in Spring Valley with 2026 results.
Explore schools in Spring ValleyHow does Highlands Elementary compare with other schools in San Diego County?
Highlands Elementary is No. 142 in reading and No. 150 in math proficiency among the 237 K–5 schools in San Diego County with 2026 results.
Explore schools in San Diego CountyWhich schools should I compare?
Schools serving K–5 in the same district.
| School | Math | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Highlands ElementaryThis school | 35.7% | 42.6% |
| Avondale Elementary | 31.6% | 35.7% |
| Casa de Oro Elementary | 29.1% | 38.4% |
