- Enrollment
- 2,992
- Students per teacher
- 23:1
- Resource Index
- 34/100
Middle school (grades 6-8) · Mesa, AZ
Highland Jr High School
Federal NCES profile for Highland Jr High School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 23/100.
2024-25 NCES dataMiddle school (grades 6-8)NCES 040340001669
👥 S:T ratio 16
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 4
📋 Attendance 1
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Highland Jr High School earns 23/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 81% of Arizona schools.
- #11 of 11
- middle schools in Mesa · Resource Index
- 23
- Resource Index · Lower
- 20.9:1
- large classes for Arizona
- 22.0%
- free-lunch eligible
Highland Jr High School has class sizes larger than 81% of Arizona schools. Computed live against every Arizona school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Highland Jr High School ranks #11 of 11 middle schools in Mesa, AZ.
School address
District: Gilbert Unified District (4239) · Arizona
NCES ID 040340001669 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-23 students YoY
Highland Jr High School held near 956 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-23 headcount).
Teacher FTE added 46.8 → 57.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
-23 students YoY 040340001669 · Mesa, AZ Middle · MID · TRAD
961 enr · 20.9:1 · 22.0% lunch · RII 23
Nearest enrollment peer: Highland High School (2,992 students)
Highland Jr High School held near 956 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-23 headcount). Teacher FTE added 46.8 → 57.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Arizona schools → · Find another →
Highland Jr High School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Highland High
Highland High School
2,992 students
- Gilbert High S
Gilbert High School
2,418 students
- Desert Ridge H
Desert Ridge High
2,103 students
- Campo Verde Hi
Campo Verde High School
1,863 students
- Mesquite High
Mesquite High School
1,303 students
- This school 961
Highland Jr High School
961 students
What this shows Highland Jr High School reports 961 students on the CCD universe file.
How Highland Jr High School compares
Highland Jr High School held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Arizona and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Arizona | Arizona avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 20.9:1 | ▲ 23% | 17:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 22.0% | ▼ 54% | 48.3% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 961 | top 10% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
20.9:1
Leaner classes than 13% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
961
Bigger than 90% of US schools by enrollment, a large campus nationally.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
22.0%
free-lunch eligible
- 54% below the Arizona average of 48.3%
Below the 40% Title I threshold; federal aid targets individual qualifying students rather than schoolwide programs.
Staffing depth
20.9:1
students per teacher
- 23% above state mean
Top 81% in Arizona - lower ratio than 19% of state schools
Above 20:1, running heavier than the typical U.S. public school; staffing is comparatively stretched.
Engagement
39.5%
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
$10,928
per pupil, district-wide
- below Arizona avg of $13,502
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors2.0 FTE
Per 481 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
91
in-school suspensions + 51 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 9.5 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 14.8 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 62.6%
Hispanic or Latino 23.8%
Two or More 6.0%
Asian 3.1%
African American 2.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native 1.4%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.3%
Largest group: White at 62.6% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 54.6/100
Simpson diversity index - at 54.6, Highland Jr High School is more mixed than the Arizona school average of 47.2.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Gilbert Unified District (4239) reports $10,928 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Highland Jr High School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highland High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Gilbert High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Desert Ridge High | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Campo Verde High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Mesquite High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Highland Jr High School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 2,418
- Students per teacher
- 21.8:1
- Resource Index
- 38/100
- Enrollment
- 2,103
- Students per teacher
- 21.5:1
- Resource Index
- 33/100
- Enrollment
- 1,863
- Students per teacher
- 21.7:1
- Resource Index
- 34/100
- Enrollment
- 1,303
- Students per teacher
- 20:1
- Resource Index
- 31/100
Nationwide middle 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 (~961 students)
Frequently asked questions about Highland Jr High School
How many students attend Highland Jr High School?
Highland Jr High School has 961 students enrolled. It is a middle school in Mesa, AZ. CCD year-over-year: 979 (2022-23) → 956 (2023-24), nearly flat (-23).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Jr High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland Jr High School is 20.9:1, which is 23% higher than the Arizona average of 17:1 and 33% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Highland Jr High School?
22.0% of students at Highland Jr High School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Arizona average of 48.3%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Highland Jr High School?
The largest demographic group at Highland Jr High School is White at 62.6% of enrollment, in Mesa, AZ. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 54.6/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Highland Jr High School?
Highland Jr High School has a Resource Investment Index of 23/100 (lower 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 Jr High School rank among middle schools in Mesa?
By Resource Investment Index, Highland Jr High School ranks #11 of 11 middle schools in Mesa, AZ. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all middle schools in Mesa on the city page.
What other schools are in Gilbert Unified District (4239)?
Besides Highland Jr High School, Gilbert Unified District (4239) also operates Highland High School (2,992 students), Gilbert High School (2,418 students), and Desert Ridge High (2,103 students). See the Gilbert Unified District (4239) district page for the complete list.