Highlands Elementary School vs. James Dawson Elementary School
Should you attend Highlands Elementary School or James Dawson Elementary School? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.
School Overview
School
Top Rankings
Highlands Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:
Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
Student Attention
James Dawson Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:
Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
Overview
Highlands Elementary School in Huntsville, AL ranked #994 in the state in 2023, declining from #590 in 2012, placing it in the bottom 50% of Alabama public schools overall.
Math proficiency was 69%, higher than the state average of 30% in 2023, improving sharply from below 10% in prior years; reading proficiency was 32%, lower than the state average of 47%; science proficiency ranged between 11–19%, lower than the state average of 38%.
Enrollment decreased from 509 students in 2016 to 380 in 2023, while minority enrollment remained very high at 96%, and 85% of students qualified for free or reduced–price lunch, reflecting sustained socioeconomic need.
The school serves grades Pre–K through 6 with 380 students and a student–teacher ratio of 15:1 in 2023, consistent with prior years.
Graduation rates at Highlands were reported at 94% in 2023, higher than the Alabama state rate of 88%.
James Dawson Elementary School in Huntsville, AL, ranked in the bottom 50% statewide in 2023 with an overall state rank declining from #822 in 2012 to #1145 in 2023, indicating weaker performance over time.
Math proficiency was 5% in 2023, lower than the state average of 30%, while reading proficiency was 22%, also lower than the state average of 47%; science proficiency ranged from 11% to 19%, below the state average of 38%.
Enrollment rose slightly from 432 students in 2023 to 447 students recently, with a high minority enrollment of 97% and a majority (82%) eligible for free lunch, reflecting significant socioeconomic challenges.
The school serves grades Pre–K through 6 with an enrollment of 447 students and a student–teacher ratio of 20:1, higher than in previous years (e.g., 15:1 in 2020).
James Dawson Elementary is a Title I school in the Huntsville City district, with no virtual instruction offered and participation in the National School Lunch Program under the Community Eligibility Option.
Grades Offered
PK-6
PK-6
Total Students
370 students
447 students
Total Classroom Teachers
22 teachers
26 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
17:1
Test Scores
Overall Testing Rank
#994 out of 1275 schools in AL
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
#1145 out of 1275 schools in AL
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
6-9%
5%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
32%
22%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
11-19%
11-19%
Students by Grade
Students by Grade
Pre-K Students
28
36
Kindergarten Students
60
57
Grade 1 Students
45
60
Grade 2 Students
49
78
Grade 3 Students
58
54
Grade 4 Students
45
48
Grade 5 Students
43
58
Grade 6 Students
42
56
Students by Ethnicity
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
n/a
% Asian
2%
1%
% Hispanic
18%
18%
% Black
71%
69%
% White
4%
6%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
5%
5%
Diversity Score
0.46
0.49
Additional Information
Eligible for Free Lunch
72%
71%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
6%