Established in 1962, Highlands Elementary School is appropriately named, as it lies near the top of a large hill in the Casa de Oro community. Three years ago, the school took in one-third of the students at the former Spring Valley Elementary School. Led by Principal Eileen Cotter, the students are encouraged to be children of great learning, but greater character. The school often partners with businesses in the community to help the less fortunate, and they throw seasonal events that are fun for students and parents alike, including a fall festival, a winter celebration, and a mother-son/father-daughter dance in the spring. A Title 1 school, Highlands was recently re-landscaped and serves as a model school for the district in terms of landscaping.