Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, KY

At a glance

Reported students

1,019

NCES CCD 2024–25

Teachers (FTE)

58.4

NCES CCD 2024–25

Student–teacher ratio

17.4:1

Calculated; not a class-size measure

Grades served

09–12

NCES preliminary directory 2025–26

Kentucky high enrollment

84th percentile

Compared with 441 same-level schools reporting enrollment.

District median enrollment

565

Highlands High School: 1,019 reported students.

State peer staffing position

71st percentile

17.4:1 reported; state peer median 15.2:1. Ratio is not class size.

Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22

These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.

Students: 995
Teachers (FTE): 58.25
Student–teacher ratio: 17.1:1

What the reported data says about Highlands High School

Highlands High School is a public high school serving grades 09–12 in Fort Thomas. It is one of 5 current school records connected to Fort Thomas Independent. NCES reports 1,019 students for 2024–25.

Among 441 high schools in Kentucky with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 191 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 84th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.

The reported student–teacher ratio is 17.4:1, above the Kentucky median of 15.2:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.

The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (88.3%) and multiracial (4.7%). English learners represent 0.6% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 4.8%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.

The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports AP student enrollment, gifted and talented programming, computer science. The school reported 24 AP courses. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.

Questions worth asking Highlands High School

1How do the reported 17.4:1 student–teacher ratio and 58.4 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
2Have the reported academic programs changed since the 2021–22 CRDC collection?
3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 4 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?

Bring the full school visit checklist →

Enrollment needs

English learners: 0.6%
Students with disabilities: 4.8%
Free/reduced-price lunch: 7.7%
Lunch program: No

Reported support staff

Counselors (FTE): 4
Nurses (FTE): 1
Psychologists (FTE): 0.2
Social workers (FTE): 0

CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.

Student demographics

Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment

White88.3%
Hispanic3.7%
Black1.4%
Asian1.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native0.3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
Multiracial4.7%

Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.

Programs reported by the school

AP student enrollment

Students enrolled

24 distinct courses reported

Gifted and talented

Offered

Computer science

Offered

CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.

Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.

Highlands Middle School

Middle · Grades 06–08

717 reported students

Moyer Elementary School

Elementary · Grades PK–05

565 reported students

Woodfill Elementary School

Elementary · Grades KG–05

444 reported students

Johnson Elementary School

Elementary · Grades PK–05

425 reported students

View all 5 district schools →

Public schools near Highlands High School

Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.

School	Grades	Students	Distance
Newport High School High · Newport Independent	07–12	521	2 mi
Bellevue High School High · Bellevue Independent	06–12	300	2.1 mi
Riverview East Academy High · Cincinnati Public Schools	09–12	165	2.1 mi
Dayton High School High · Dayton Independent	07–12	358	2.5 mi
Newport Regional School High · Newport Independent	06–12	26	2.5 mi
Covington Adult High School High · Covington Independent	09–12	7	3.1 mi

Compare all 5 public schools in Fort Thomas, KY →

Frequently asked questions about Highlands High School

What grades does Highlands High School serve?

Highlands High School reports grades 09–12 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a high school in Fort Thomas Independent.

How many students attend Highlands High School?

Highlands High School reported 1,019 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 84th percentile among 441 Kentucky high schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 995 students.

What is the student–teacher ratio at Highlands High School?

The calculated ratio is 17.4:1, based on 1,019 students and 58.4 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Kentucky median for the same school level is 15.2:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.

Is Highlands High School a public, charter, or magnet school?

Highlands High School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Fort Thomas Independent attendance boundaries and transfer rules.

What share of Highlands High School students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?

7.7% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.

Which school district is Highlands High School in?

Highlands High School is part of Fort Thomas Independent, based in Fort Thomas, KY, which operates 5 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.

What public schools are near Highlands High School?

The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Newport High School (2 mi), Bellevue High School (2.1 mi), Riverview East Academy (2.1 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.