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ColumbiaCAMainStPhoto: Chris Krylov · CC BY 3.0
B−
Schools in Columbia · Columbia Union Elementary School District, Sonora Union High School District

Columbia’s public schools score below 54% of California districts on tests and graduation

In Columbia, 22% of tested students are proficient in math, below the California average (33%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Columbia, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within California, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From California state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
44%
▼ 3 pts vs CA 47%
2021–22
Math proficiency
22%
▼ 11 pts vs CA 33%
2021–22
Graduate on time
91%
▲ 5 pts vs CA 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$18.8K
▼ 11% vs CA $21.2K
FY2024 · Sonora Union High
Students per teacher
20.4
CA 21.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
1
1,344 students on the public path
In brief

Columbia’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 361 California towns with household incomes within a quarter of Columbia’s, its schools beat 61%, higher than their 46% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Columbia runs its own schools through grade 8, then shares

Columbia Elementary (K–8) is Columbia’s own. From grade 9, students attend the Sonora Union High School District with Sonora: Sonora High in Sonora. The high school’s own results earn a B+, the highest on the path. See the path ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 44% of tested students were proficient in reading and 22% in math, against 47% and 33% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across California. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

Columbia Union Elementary spends $17,013 per student and Sonora Union High $18,835, against $21,206 across California (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Columbia’s grade

B− Test scoresB− Graduation

B−: better than 46% of California school districts. Graduation is above the California average; test scores are below it.

California school districts we grade (1,872)Better than 46%
Lower resultsHigher results
California towns with similar household incomes (361)Better than 61%
CBA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 513 test results and a graduating class of 261 could put Columbia anywhere from C to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 96% of Columbia’s students in the tested grades sat them (513 in math, 512 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Columbia, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–8Columbia ElementaryColumbia Union Elementary School DistrictC+
9–12Sonora Highin SonoraB+

Columbia runs its own schools through grade 8 (Columbia Union Elementary School District). From grade 9, students attend the Sonora Union High School District, shared with Sonora. Its high school is in Sonora. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

Two districts serve Columbia

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Columbia Union Elementary School DistrictGrades K–8 · 1 schools · 464 students, up 7% since 2020–21 · 17.2 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$17,013CA $21,206 · FY2024
C
Sonora Union High School DistrictGrades 9–12 · 3 schools · 989 students, down 7% since 2021–22 · 22.3 per teacher (CA 21.6)
$18,835CA $21,206 · FY2024
B
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading · K–8, Columbia Union Elementary School District37%
State average 46.7% · 267 students tested
Math · K–8, Columbia Union Elementary School District23%
State average 33.1% · 268 students tested
Reading · 9–12, Sonora Union High School District52%
State average 46.7% · 245 students tested
Math · 9–12, Sonora Union High School District21%
State average 33.1% · 245 students tested

Columbia vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the California towns that share Columbia’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ColumbiaB−Columbia Union Elementary K–8 · Sonora Union High 9–12

Every school in Columbia

2 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with California’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Columbiaby address
Columbia Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–8
C+
464 students17:1Rate it →
Also serving Columbiain other towns
Sonora High
High · Grades 9–12 · Sonora
B+
880 students23:1Rate it →

Questions about Columbia’s schools

Are Columbia’s schools good?

On California’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Columbia children attend score below 54% of California’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 61%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Columbia in?

Two districts: Columbia Union Elementary School District runs grades K–8, and Sonora Union High School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Sonora.

Where do Columbia kids go to high school?

Sonora High in Sonora, with 880 students; its own test results earn a B+.

What is Columbia’s graduation rate?

91% of the class of 2023 in Sonora Union High School District graduated in four years, against 86% across California.

How much does Columbia spend per student?

$17,013 in Columbia Union Elementary School District and $18,835 in Sonora Union High School District (FY2024), against $21,206 across California. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Columbia families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Columbia → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within California. Stars are from neighbors.