Highland Central School District

Every figure on PlainSchools is rendered directly from the source NCES, CRDC and F-33 federal records, no number is typed in by an editor. District totals are aggregated directly from the schools reporting under this district in the source records. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, the data changelog, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.

Highland, New York - 3 schools

An equity score of 53/100 ranks Highland Central School District #347 of 931 districts in New York (state average 45). Derived live from how evenly resources are distributed across the district's schools.

At $29,912 per pupil, Highland Central School District ranks #292 of 986 New York districts by per-pupil spending (New York districts). NCES F-33 finance data.

1,565
Total Enrollment
3
Schools
$29,912
Per-Pupil Spending
Elementary, High
School Types

District-Level NCES Analysis

Highland Central School District operates 3 public schools serving 1,565 students, placing it among the smallest districts in New York. The school portfolio breaks down into 1 elementary, 1 high, 1 middle schools, a small enough portfolio that most families will interact with nearly every campus in the district at some point. These enrollment and school figures come from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024-25 release, and the district is based in Ulster County.

Per-pupil expenditure runs $29,912 according to the NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey, in the upper half of 986 New York districts by per-pupil spending. See how New York compares in our national per-pupil spending analysis. The funding mix is 59.9% local, 34.5% state, and 5.6% federal, a local-revenue-heavy mix that leaves the district more exposed to property-tax swings and local ballot measures than state-funded peers. The district's equity score is 53/100, ranked #347 of 931 in New York against a state average of 45, notably more even than the typical district in the state for how evenly funding reaches its schools.

Academic infrastructure includes 1 of 3 schools offering Advanced Placement (1 AP courses district-wide), a 322.4:1 student-counselor ratio, somewhat above the 250:1 ASCA recommendation, and 30.0% chronic absenteeism from the 2021-22 Civil Rights Data Collection. Demographically, the student body averages 67.6% White, 17.1% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% African American across the district's schools. Its most demographically mixed campus is Highland Elementary School, with a diversity index of 51.7/100.

Its largest campus is Highland Elementary School, enrolling 665 students (44% of the district's total enrollment).

Highland Elementary School accounts for 42.5% of all Highland Central School District student enrollment

That dominant concentration means Highland Central School District-wide averages can mask substantial variation outside the largest entity. Grade band: elementary. The share measures enrollment concentration only; it does not establish how the district allocates programs, capital, or staff. Enrollment-weighted aggregates give this entity more weight than any smaller peer, while an unweighted entity average treats every record equally.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data

Highland Central School District student-counselor ratio is 322:1 — near the typical range (US average ~408) — within the typical range for U.S. public districts

student-counselor ratio is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: the ratio counts FTE counselors against total enrollment, districts that contract intervention or social-emotional staff outside the counselor classification may be under-counted Variation between sub-units within Highland Central School District is typically wider than the Highland Central School District-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection

Highland Central School District chronic absenteeism rate is 30.0% — near the typical range (US average ~28) — aligned with the national post-pandemic baseline of roughly 28% chronic absenteeism

chronic absenteeism rate is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: a student is chronically absent if they miss ≥10% of enrolled days for any reason, illness, family obligations, or disengagement Variation between sub-units within Highland Central School District is typically wider than the Highland Central School District-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection 2021-22

Where does the funding come from?

5.6%
Federal
34.5%
State
59.9%
Local

Funding Equity

53
Equity Score
347 / 931
State Rank
45
State Average

This district has moderate funding equity. There may be room to improve funding diversity or resource allocation.

Student Demographics

Average demographic composition across 3 schools in Highland Central School District.

White 67.6%
Hispanic or Latino 17.1%
African American 7.6%
Asian 3.0%
Multiracial 4.4%

Source: NCES CCD School Membership 2024-25.

Student-body diversity

Average diversity index 50.4/100

Average Simpson diversity index across Highland Central School District's schools, above the New York average of 45.5.

Most mixed schools

  1. 1 Highland Elementary School 51.7
  2. 2 Highland High School 50.9
  3. 3 Highland Middle School 48.7

Programs & Resources

1 / 3
Schools with AP
1 AP courses total
322.4:1
Student-Counselor Ratio
30.0%
Chronically Absent

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) 2021-22.

Schools in Highland Central School District

School Enrollment
Highland Elementary School
665
Highland High School
513
Highland Middle School
348

How Highland Central School District Compares to Similar-Size Districts

The New York districts closest to this one in total enrollment.

District Enrollment Spending Funding Mix
Spackenkill Union Free School District Similar size Similar spending More locally funded
Johnstown City School District Similar size Lower spending Less locally funded
Cold Spring Harbor Central School District Similar size Higher spending More locally funded
Waverly Central School District Similar size Lower spending Less locally funded
Babylon Union Free School District Similar size Higher spending More locally funded

Comparisons are relative to Highland Central School District's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data and the F-33 Finance Survey.

Nearby Districts in New York

Top districts in the same state, compare side-by-side for enrollment, spending, and demographics.

Nationwide districts with similar enrollment or spending

Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by per-pupil expenditure, not the same-state lists above.

Compare Highland Central School District

See how this district compares to others in enrollment, spending, demographics, and academic resources.

Compare vs New York City Geographic District #31 →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools are in Highland Central School District?

Highland Central School District has 3 schools, including 1 elementary, 1 high, 1 middle. Total enrollment is 1,565 students.

How much does Highland Central School District spend per student?

Highland Central School District spends $29,912 per student. The district has an equity score of 53/100, ranking #347 in New York.

What is the demographic composition of Highland Central School District?

Highland Central School District students are 67.6% White, 17.1% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% African American, 3.0% Asian, averaged across 3 schools. Source: NCES CCD Membership 2024-25.

What is the equity score for Highland Central School District?

Highland Central School District has an equity score of 53/100, ranking #347 out of 931 districts in New York.