Founded in 1958 by educator, civic leader and philanthropist, Evalina Brown Spencer, Highlands School is an educationally progressive independent 4k-8th grade school and 6 weeks-3-year Family Center. 

Distinguished by its research-based, contemporary approach to education, Highlands’ faculty and staff partner with students and families throughout their educational trajectory to maximize student learning and whole-child development. Upon graduation from Highlands, students are prepared to thrive academically, professionally and socially in a constantly changing, global world. 

Highlands’ approach to learning systematically builds one success/challenge upon another. As students move through our Primary, Elementary, and Middle grades, they are joined on their journey by a partnership of teachers, parents, and administrators working to develop increasing degrees of initiative, integrity, and self-confidence. Through quality time with teachers, open and meaningful dialogue with each student’s parents, robust learning opportunities which include arts appreciation, physical education, character and leadership development, combined with rigorous academic programming creates a special learning environment at a most critical span in a student’s life. 

We deliver a curriculum from early childhood through the eighth grade that challenges every student to reach his or her potential and prepares them for lifelong success. Our culture emphasizes academic excellence in a supportive environment. To this end, we see the importance and value of embedding social-emotional learning throughout our school day. Research has been clear that academic learning is impacted by social and emotional competence. Ever mindful of these priorities, our strategic roadmap includes differentiated learning strategies, appropriate and seamless integration of technology, as well as robust global education experiences. Highlands’ faculty and staff are constantly exploring the most effective approaches to education for students. 

Throughout these endeavors, we believe that the most effective learning occurs when it is relevant and students are focused and engaged. Woven throughout our teaching and learning is a project-based learning approach — one in which students develop skills for living in a knowledge-based, highly technological society. They actively explore real-world problems and authentically engage in content. As project work is cross-curricular, students learn to apply skills, knowledge, and strategies from a variety of content areas and curriculum standards are addressed while developing critical thinking, problem-solving ability, collaboration, communication, and creativity. Our graduating 8th graders leave with confidence, are not afraid to take risks, are in charge of their own educational journey and have developed the leadership skills to excel in high school and beyond. 

WHY HIGHLANDS 

► Ranked on The Best Schools list of the Top 50 Private Elementary Schools in the United States. 

► Our 3rd-8th graders are in the top 15 percent of all independent school students in ERB mathematics test scores and in the top 15 percent of all independent school students in ERB reading comprehension test scores. School-wide curriculum concentrated on. 

► School-wide curriculum concentrated on 21st century skill include creativity, collaboration, communication, critical thinking and cooperation. 

► Low Student-Teacher ratios allowing for personalized attention guaranteeing individual success for students. 

GRADES: 4K-8 

WHERE: 4901 Old Leeds Road 

CALL: 956-9731 

WEB: highlandsschool.org