- Enrollment
- 825
- Students per teacher
- 19.6:1
- Resource Index
- 20/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Gadsden, AL
Highland Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for Highland Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 45/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 010138000503
👥 S:T ratio 42
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 57
📋 Attendance 11
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Highland Elementary School earns 45/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes smaller than 88% of Alabama schools.
- #5 of 11
- schools in Gadsden · Resource Index
- 45
- Resource Index · Typical
- 14.4:1
- small classes for Alabama
- 61.8%
- free-lunch eligible
Highland Elementary School has class sizes smaller than 88% of Alabama schools. Computed live against every Alabama school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Highland Elementary School ranks #5 of 11 schools in Gadsden, AL.
School address
District: Etowah County · Alabama
NCES ID 010138000503 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-2 students YoY
Highland Elementary School held near 223 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-2 headcount).
Teacher FTE added 15.0 → 16.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
-2 students YoY 010138000503 · Gadsden, AL Other · SMALL · TRAD
216 enr · 14.4:1 · 61.8% lunch · RII 45
Nearest enrollment peer: Southside High School (825 students)
Highland Elementary School held near 223 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-2 headcount). Teacher FTE added 15.0 → 16.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Alabama schools → · Find another →
Highland Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Southside High
Southside High School
825 students
- John S Jones E
John S Jones Elementary School
745 students
- Rainbow Middle
Rainbow Middle School
634 students
- Hokes Bluff El
Hokes Bluff Elementary School
610 students
- Southside Elem
Southside Elementary School
585 students
- This school 216
Highland Elementary School
216 students
What this shows Highland Elementary School reports 216 students on the CCD universe file.
How Highland Elementary School compares
Highland Elementary School held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Alabama and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Alabama | Alabama avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 14.4:1 | ▼ 19% | 17.7:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 61.8% | ▲ 5% | 58.8% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 216 | top 91% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
14.4:1
Leaner classes than 53% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
216
Bigger than 21% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
61.8%
free-lunch eligible
- 5% above the Alabama average of 58.8%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
14.4:1
students per teacher
- 19% below state mean
Top 12% in Alabama - lower ratio than 88% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
35.6%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$11,215
per pupil, district-wide
- below Alabama avg of $13,538
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 216 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 5 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 2.3 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection. Includes 1 expulsion.
Student demographics
White 85.6%
Two or More 7.9%
African American 3.2%
Hispanic or Latino 2.8%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.5%
Largest group: White at 85.6% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 25.9/100
Simpson diversity index - at 25.9, Highland Elementary School is less mixed than the Alabama school average of 42.5.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Etowah County reports $11,215 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Highland Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southside High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| John S Jones Elementary School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Rainbow Middle School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Hokes Bluff Elementary School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Southside Elementary School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Highland Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 745
- Students per teacher
- 16.2:1
- Resource Index
- 43/100
- Enrollment
- 634
- Students per teacher
- 19.8:1
- Resource Index
- 38/100
- Enrollment
- 610
- Students per teacher
- 17.4:1
- Resource Index
- 37/100
- Enrollment
- 585
- Students per teacher
- 17.7:1
- Resource Index
- 46/100
Similar other schools in Gadsden
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Adams Elementary School
Standard public school
433 students 17.3:1 students per teacher
W E Striplin Elementary School
Standard public school
400 students 20:1 students per teacher
Floyd Elementary School
Standard public school
384 students 24:1 students per teacher
Gaston High School
Standard public school
380 students 21.1:1 students per teacher
Eura Brown Elementary School
Standard public school
340 students 16.2:1 students per teacher
Gaston Elementary School
Standard public school
290 students 18.1:1 students per teacher
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~216 students)
Similar student-teacher ratio (~14.4:1)
Frequently asked questions about Highland Elementary School
How many students attend Highland Elementary School?
Highland Elementary School has 216 students enrolled. It is a public school in Gadsden, AL. CCD year-over-year: 225 (2022-23) → 223 (2023-24), nearly flat (-2).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland Elementary School is 14.4:1, which is 19% lower than the Alabama average of 17.7:1 and 8% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Highland Elementary School?
61.8% of students at Highland Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Alabama average of 58.8%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Highland Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at Highland Elementary School is White at 85.6% of enrollment, in Gadsden, AL.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Highland Elementary School?
Highland Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 45/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Highland Elementary School rank among schools in Gadsden?
By Resource Investment Index, Highland Elementary School ranks #5 of 11 schools in Gadsden, AL. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Gadsden on the city page.
What other schools are in Etowah County?
Besides Highland Elementary School, Etowah County also operates Southside High School (825 students), John S Jones Elementary School (745 students), and Rainbow Middle School (634 students). See the Etowah County district page for the complete list.