Highlands Middle School

2350 Memorial Parkway

School District

Fort Thomas Independent
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:18
Type

public

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on April 22, 2023

Coming from a person who transferred to highlands in 6th grade and has never been good at making friends this is one of the best schools ever! teachers really help students as best as they can to be successful. teachers really do care about the kids mental health and the counselors are the best. and lets not forget we have a amazing community everybody knows everyone and it's very easy to find your group of friends. also highlands has some of the best sports teams, they have all kinds of activities and its super easy to find something you will like. i can say there's a lot of drama but when your surrounded with a bunch of tenagers in a big school that's what your going to get, its completely common in EVERY school. but i really recommend this school to all of you.
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2023

My son went to HMS for 3 years and learned the skills necessary to succeed in high school, college, and as the member of a community. The reviews and ratings here are not in line with what my son and his peers experienced. There are tons of extracurricular activities and after school options and zero tolerance for bullying. Every staff member is supportive. I had numerous teachers and the guidance counselor reach out to me to partner on solutions for my child. The schools in Fort Thomas feel more like a community than most American towns. While it is fair to say the town lacks racial diversity, that is changing as new families move in and the old, racist, generational wealth types decrease in number. It's up to each parent to teach their children empathy. The schools do a wonderful job reinforcing a message of tolerance.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2023

kids are super raccist and they keep saying the N-word
Submitted by other on January 04, 2023

Why is everyone white. that doesn't make sense
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2022

Hey i wanted you to all know that i go to this school and it is bad all they care about is the grades and there always like we have the best school and thats all they care about i think they need to work on a bunch of this stuff like come on.I know i could find a better school.
Submitted by student on August 20, 2021

I am so confused as to why almost everyone of these is talk about how horrible this school is. Honestly, my experience with this school is awesome. I don't know which teachers belittle the students. I'm in eighth grade, and only one of the teachers did that when I was in sixth. Anyone from my grade can tell you who that was. Honestly, my experience has only been positive. All of the teachers and most of the students have been friendly to me. I love this school, all of my friends, and my teachers. And with bullying, it was taken care of immediately for me. The teacher I was with told me the kids would be punished immediately. I feel accepted here.
Submitted by student on February 03, 2019

I currently go here, and I think that everyone raves about Highlands because our test scores are high, but no one realizes until they go here that the kids are snobby, the teachers slack off, and all the school board cares about is good grades so that they will look good, they are not concerned for students’ safety which is why they send us to school in -2 degree Fahrenheit weather and don’t cancel school when the power is out, the generator is broke, and no one is learning anything. Absolute madness. Only have a few friends in the school since every kid is snotty, annoying, and completely unfriendly. Not to mention the principal doesn’t do anything for the school and is a complete bozo, and the vice principal is very scary. Would not recommend to my worst enemy.
Submitted by parent on August 10, 2018

Teachers bully the students by calling them names in front of their peers. I suppose it makes them feel better about themselves to treat a child that way.
Submitted by student on March 22, 2018

I strongly dislike this school with all my dear heart. I have so much anxiety and depression because of this school, please do not send your kids here parents! for your child's happiness, this is coming from a kid that goes here and is counting down the days till I get to transfer school. please don't do it!
Submitted by parent on December 05, 2017

My child was bullied at Highlands. They told me it was his fault because he didn’t understand how cliques work and he was trying to make friends outside of his “circle”. We had just moved here. He didn’t know anyone. They also do not do parent teacher conferences effectively. If your child has any concerns they give them 9 minutes to discuss them during the conference and that’s it. Huge disappointment. We had such high hopes for this school.
Submitted by other on August 07, 2013

My school is great. The teachers are friendly, I learn so much everyday, and I have fun doing it. I love Highlands!
Submitted by other on February 13, 2013

Not a good school. kids are snobbish classes are okay. they drag standardized testing out way to much.