Solutions:

1. Build Strong Relationships: When appropriate, conduct non-punitive home visits to build relationships and understand family challenges.

2. Incentivize Attendance: Celebrate improved attendance with small rewards (certificates, special lunches, extra recess).

3. Improve School Climate: Celebrate student backgrounds and tailor curriculum to reflect their lives.

Enrollment: Approximately 291 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1

• Hispanic/Latino: 37.5%

• White: 34.7%

• Black or African American: 19.2%

• Two or More Races: 8.2%

• Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: 0.3%

• Asian: 0%

• American Indian or Alaska Native: 0%

Highland Park Elementary has faced challenges in academic proficiency:

• Math Proficiency: Approximately 15-19% of students achieved proficiency, compared to the Tennessee state average of 31%.

• Reading/Language Arts Proficiency: Approximately 15-19% of students achieved proficiency, compared to the Tennessee state average of 37%. ​Public School Review+1US News+1

The school is ranked within the bottom 50% of all Tennessee schools based on combined math and reading proficiency testing data.

School Highlights

• Extracurricular Activities: Offers programs such as Art Club, Chorus, Cross Country, and TN All Core Tutoring.

• Behavioral Expectations: Recognized as an RTI2B Gold School, emphasizing schoolwide behavior expectations: Be Ready, Be Safe, Be Kind

At Highland Park, it takes a whole team to help our students grow and succeed! Here’s a quick look at some of the amazing people and groups who make a difference every day:

Students
Our students are the heart of everything we do! Every lesson, event, and decision is made with their success in mind.

Parents and Families
Families are a child’s first teachers! Your support at home and involvement at school help build a strong foundation for learning and create a positive, encouraging environment.

Principals and Administrators
Our principal and staff work hard behind the scenes — managing the day-to-day activities, helping teachers, and making sure everything runs smoothly and follows important school policies.

School Board Members
Elected members of the school board help set school policies, approve budgets, and keep us moving in the right direction. They make sure we meet community standards and legal requirements.

Churches and Community Groups
We’re so thankful for our local churches and cultural groups who support us in big ways! For example, my principal’s church often caters meals for the staff on long evenings and provides students with TWO boxes of cereal for fall and spring breaks. These acts of kindness make a huge difference!

It really does take a village — and we’re lucky to have such a strong, caring one at Highland Park! 💙