Highland Elementary School Ranked #244 on U.S. News & World Report – 2025 Best Elementary Schools | KROX

U.S. News & World Report published its 2025 Best Elementary Schools and Highland Elementary in Crookston was on the list, making it a U.S. News Best Elementary School.

“The U.S. News & World Report, each year, identifies the top 40% achieving elementary schools in the state of Minnesota,” says Highland School Chris Trostad. “I think this is the third year in a row, basically Highland did better in Math and Reading in the metric they use compared to students across the state of Minnesota, with 46% of students tested at or above proficiency level for reading and 41% tested at or above that level for math,” Trostad said Highland students were compared to the state averages and are achieving higher than the state averages and fall within the top 40% of achieving elementary schools.

With this year’s Report, Highland is ranked #244 in Minnesota Elementary Schools. “That’s a tribute to an awesome staff, hardworking teachers, and hardworking support staff,” says Trostad. “We just have a great building that focuses on getting growth for students, and I think it shows in the multiple years that we have received this.”

Trostad was excited for Highland to be in the top 40% again this year. “Great PR for our school and nice recognition for our teachers who have worked really hard and support staff to get the best growth for kids, and I think that’s what this really is all about,” says Trostad. “Highland does a great job of getting growth for students.”

Tags: 2025 Best Elementary Schools, Minnesota Elementary Schools, news, Principal Chris Trostad, US News and World Report