Highlands Sr. High School

1500 Pacific Ave
Natrona Heights, PA 15065
(School attendance zone shown in map)
7/
10
Top 50%
Serving 713 students in grades 9-12, Highlands Sr. High School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Pennsylvania for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 45-49% (which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 36%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 60-64% (which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 55%).
The student:teacher ratio of 18:1 is higher than the Pennsylvania state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority Black), which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 38% (majority Black).

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 713 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 18:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 19%
  • : 75-79% (Btm 50% in PA)
  • : Top 50%
  • : 45-49% (Top 50%)
  • : 60-64% (Top 50%)
  • : 25-29% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education

School Overview

Highlands Sr. High School's student population of 713 students has declined by 7% over five school years.
The teacher population of 40 teachers has declined by 16% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(offers virtual instruction)
Total Students
713 students
This chart displays total students of Highlands Sr. High School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Gender %
This chart displays gender of Highlands Sr. High School
Total Classroom Teachers
40 teachers
This chart displays the total teachers of Highlands Sr. High School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Highlands Sr. High School by grade.

School Rankings

Highlands Sr. High School ranks within the top 50% of all 2,733 schools in Pennsylvania (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Highlands Sr. High School is 0.33, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.58. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (PA)
#1011 out of 2733 schools
(Top 50%)
This chart displays the overall school rank of Highlands Sr. High School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
45-49%
36%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Highlands Sr. High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
60-64%
55%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Highlands Sr. High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
25-29%
57%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Highlands Sr. High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of public schools in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
18:1
13:1
This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Highlands Sr. High School and the public school average student teacher ratio of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
1%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Highlands Sr. High School and the percentage of Asian public school students in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hispanic
2%
14%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Highlands Sr. High School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Black
9%
14%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Highlands Sr. High School and the percentage of Black public school students in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
White
81%
62%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Highlands Sr. High School and the percentage of White public school students in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
7%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Highlands Sr. High School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
All Ethnic Groups
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Highlands Sr. High School.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in Pennsylvania.
0.33
This chart displays the diversity score of Highlands Sr. High School and the public school average diversity score of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
75-79%
87%
This chart displays graduation rate of Highlands Sr. High School and public school graduation rate of Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Eligible for Free Lunch
90%
54%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Highlands Sr. High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (13-14)
9%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Highlands Sr. High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Pennsylvania by year, with the latest 2013-14 school year data.
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Highlands Sr. High School's ranking?
Highlands Sr. High School is ranked #1011 out of 2,733 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Pennsylvania.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
45-49% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 36% PA state average), while 60-64% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 55% PA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Highlands Sr. High School?
The graduation rate of Highlands Sr. High School is 75-79%, which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 87%.
How many students attend Highlands Sr. High School?
713 students attend Highlands Sr. High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
81% of Highlands Sr. High School students are White, 9% of students are Black, 7% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Highlands Sr. High School?
Highlands Sr. High School has a student ration of 18:1, which is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 13:1.
What grades does Highlands Sr. High School offer ?
Highlands Sr. High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (offers virtual instruction).
What school district is Highlands Sr. High School part of?
Highlands Sr. High School is part of Highlands School District.
In what neighborhood is Highlands Sr. High School located?
Highlands Sr. High School is located in the West Natrona neighborhood of Natrona Heights, PA. There are 1 other public schools located in West Natrona.

School Reviews

5   1/20/2020
I have two kids at the high school. Both are happy with the staff and students at the school. Both are getting an excellent education, and I feel will be ready for any college program they enroll in. Courses, scheduling and extra-curricular activities are outstanding. I love Highlands..
- Posted by Parent - SILVIA
2   10/31/2011
This school will pass a child on the minimalist of knowledge just to get him through and not deal with him. My child is currently being read a story about how to be a great criminal. The bullying situation is out of control, and certain kids are "targeted" as behavior problems and never even have a chance.
- Posted by Parent - hhspa

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 713 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 18:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 19%
  • : 75-79% (Btm 50%)
  • : Top 50%
  • : 45-49% (Top 50%)
  • : 60-64% (Top 50%)
  • : 25-29% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education

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