Highlands Elementary School

27332 Catala Ave.

School District

Saugus Union
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:27
Type

public

School Map for Saugus Union School District

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 August 18, 2020

Very happy with the teachers and staff. Very friendly and knowledgable. Love the low ratio of students to teachers!
Submitted by parent on October 31, 2019

Love the small community feel. Feels like a neighborhood school, which is rare in Los Angeles.
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2019

Both of my kids had wonderful experiences at Highlands. The teachers really care.
Submitted by parent on April 05, 2019

Great Atmosphere all around teachers are knowledgeable staff is very helpful, my child loves attending the school.
Submitted by parent on March 27, 2019

Really great... Highlands is a small school with a great community!
Submitted by parent on November 03, 2018

A lot of the negative comments are from a time when we had a lazy principal. Last year we got a Susan Bender, who is a serious go-getter. She is committed and incredible with the kids. Our test scores are low in part because of one the highest amount of special needs populations in the district. We have some amazing teachers and a terrific art program. We are open enrollment because of small numbers. We became a title 1 school. Earning an extra $56 thousand this year. This has led to some exciting supplies and programs. We are the smallest school in the valley, and it feels like family.
Submitted by parent on September 12, 2018

I live the school, the teachers, the new principal, and the amazing PFO
Submitted by parent on January 12, 2015

The Principal is an ineffective leader- unable to manage his staff, students, or properly maintain the property. Absolutely no acceptance of responsibility or willingness to lead. Test scores have steadily declined since he was transferred to the campus. Students are placed in classes on what appears to be a random basis, with no regard for what is best for the student or what would create a reasonable class situation for the teacher. Over his tenure I have observed several teachers behave inappropriately. Based upon the fact that the behavior reoccurs, I am lead to believe there was no consequence to the teacher. The yard staff is untrained and spend more time looking at their phones and gossiping with one another than providing supervision. The pick up situation in the afternoon is hazardous to the students as a result of his inability to effectively communicate the rules and enforce them. Ten years ago, pick up was not the dangerous situation it is now. It can be fixed.
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2013

Highlands is a good school and for the most part has good teachers. However, like most public schools they are not equipped to handle issues with kids who start to develop bad habits like talking (general disruptiveness) or poor work habits. In fact the environment tends to re-inforce this behavior because the faculty will not (or cannot) address these issues directly. My child started developing bad work habits in the fifth grade and was NEVER corrected by the teacher. Now in the sixth grade the situation has gotten worse because there is no deterent whatsoever in the classroom. Kids naturally seek instant gratification but they also need timely correction when their actions are not conducive to learning. I'm not talking about corrective actions like we had back in the day, although now I am so grateful for the swats I received when I deserved them, seriously. (Thank God for those teachers cared enough about us to not let us get away with shenanigans!) But today there is absolutely nothing done to curb unwanted behavior, not even a scolding, unbelievable. At this juncture the best alternative is to pull our child from public school and go private.
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2013

My daughter has had such a great experience at Highlands Elementary. She is encouraged each day to be successful and is surrounded by an amazing staff of individuals that really care for their students. The office staff is amazing and always makes an effort to greet you with a smile and answer any questions. The teachers are very experienced and you can tell that they have created a school identity that is amazing. From what I understand, many of the teachers have been with Highlands for 15+ years. I think it says something when you have a staff that has stayed together for so long.