Highlands Middle School

I have 3 children who have passed through this middle school. The teaching here leaves a little to be desired. There's a high percentage of low income families assigned to this school and often times smart kids are not adequately challenged because teachers are focused on the struggling kids.The sports teams are also mid level. The school itself trains their teams pretty well but the competition is poor. This school does not provide a level of athleticism that competes with AAU level teams. If sports is important in your school selection you're better off going to Desert Hills or Chinook.The administration in the school is terrible. They are difficult to deal with and constantly lie and cover each other's backs. I have caught them repeatedly lying in emails. Sadly even the district is reluctant to do anything about this. I can't speak to whether this is the case at other KSD schools.One of my children was the target of another student's harrassment and when I questioned the district's policies and training on how to deal with it they gave me the run around and brushed it off. Fortunately that principal is gone now and the new one is doing better. I am still convinced this school lacks where others do not, and will be considering a different middle school for my fourth child.It is worth mentioning that while my children all get great grades and are in honors, they are never excited about going to this school.

I have 2 students that have gone through the honors program at HMS. At the high school there have been several valedictorians from Highlands. I believe the honors program is as challenging as the other middle schools. the new principal is wonderful. The ONLY Science Olympiad team for the public KSD district is found at HMS. They began 3 years ago & have placed at regionals for 3 consecutive years and traveled to state competition for 3 years, Highlands also participates in the National History Day Competition. Again, Highlands is the ONLY middle school in the KSD school district to participate in this. 8th graders create a huge & challenging research paper. The band marches in Spokane's Lilac Festival each spring. The only negative I can say is lack of parent involvement. I feel 1/2 the students choose not to succeed. Every opportunity is given to the students. The principal is excellent as are the teachers. The honors program is very good.

I'm a student at Highlands Middle School(HMS). I'm a 6th grader. Most of the teachers are very nice and kind. The security it good, because they have cameras in the halls and outside. If there is a problem with some students in school or on class the teachers \staff work well on handling the situation. The counselors help kids that have problems with the other students or staff. It is usually clean in the halls thanks to the custodians. Teachers at HMS have unique ways of teaching us about math, science, ancient history, and others.