Total enrollment
6,468
-37 (-1%) vs SY 2020-21
Highland County
Ohio · Public K-12
Within Highland County, Ohio, families have 18 public-school options to consider, collectively serving 6,468 K-12 students. Hillsboro City is the heaviest district by enrollment. That works out to 8 elementary, 5 middle, and 5 high schools.
4-year change in Highland County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
18
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Highland County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Ohio | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 6,468 | #56 of 88 | #1,115 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 18 | #54 of 88 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 16.5:1 | #47 of 88 | #2,197 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 66.2% | #8 of 78 | #859 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 15.4% | #64 of 88 | #2,325 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Highland County school rankings
Residents
43,517
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
18
5 districts
Enrollment
6,468
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$65,785
Below Ohio avg
Free/reduced lunch
66.2%
Above Ohio avg
Elementary
8
3,224 students
Middle
5
1,436 students
High
5
1,808 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Hillsboro City
2,218 students · 5 districts in Highland County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Highland County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
16.3%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
9.8%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.1%
civilian labor
Median age
41
23.9% under 18
Test scores in Highland County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 17 schools ranked. Ohio state average: 59.8%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Fairfield Local High School· 86.2%
- Hillsboro Intermediate School· 78.4%
- Hillsboro Primary School· 76.9%
- Lynchburg-Clay Elementary School· 76.8%
- Bright Elementary School· 72.6%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Whiteoak High School· 50.9%
- Rainsboro Elementary School· 55.6%
- McClain High School· 57.8%
- Greenfield Elementary School· 59.1%
- Hillsboro Middle School· 63.5%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsboro High School | Hillsboro | High | 09-12 | 638 | · |
| Greenfield Elementary School | Greenfield | Elementary | PK-05 | 562 | · |
| McClain High School | Greenfield | High | 09-12 | 496 | · |
| Hillsboro Middle School | Hillsboro | Middle | 06-08 | 472 | · |
| Lynchburg-Clay Elementary School | Lynchburg | Elementary | PK-05 | 471 | · |
| Hillsboro Early Childhood Center | Hillsboro | Elementary | PK-01 | 456 | · |
| Bright Elementary School | Hillsboro | Elementary | PK-06 | 432 | · |
| Fairfield Local Elementary School | Leesburg | Elementary | PK-05 | 430 | · |
| Greenfield Middle School | Greenfield | Middle | 06-08 | 407 | · |
| Hillsboro Primary School | Hillsboro | Elementary | 02-03 | 344 | · |
| Hillsboro Intermediate School | Hillsboro | Elementary | 04-05 | 308 | · |
| Lynchburg-Clay High School | Lynchburg | High | 09-12 | 278 | · |
| Lynchburg-Clay Middle School | Lynchburg | Middle | 06-08 | 246 | · |
| Fairfield Local High School | Leesburg | High | 09-12 | 222 | · |
| Rainsboro Elementary School | Bainbridge | Elementary | PK-05 | 221 | · |
| Fairfield Local Middle School | Leesburg | Middle | 06-08 | 198 | · |
| Whiteoak High School | Mowrystown | High | 09-12 | 174 | · |
| Whiteoak Junior High School | Mowrystown | Middle | 07-08 | 113 | · |
Cities in Highland County
About Highland County
Highland County is a sparse Ohio county of about 43,517 residents, home to 18 public schools and roughly 6,468 students.
Stepping back, census numbers show the median household earns about $65,785 a year, roughly 16% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate is around 10%. That income level is 6% meaningfully below the Ohio median.
In terms of grade levels, Highland County covers 8 elementary schools (3,224 students), 5 middle schools (1,436), and 5 high schools (1,808).
Hillsboro City dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 2,218 students on its own.
Five-year track record. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment remained close to its prior level: 6,505 students in SY 2020-21 versus 6,468 in SY 2024-25.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Highland County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data