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Adair County CourthouseAdair County Courthouse · Photo: W.marsh · CC BY-SA 3.0
B+
Schools in Columbia · Adair County School District

Columbia’s public schools outscore 69% of Kentucky districts

The grade covers the public school district 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 Kentucky, not nationally.

#55of 139 Kentucky townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Kentucky state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% 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
42%
▼ 3 pts vs KY 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
37%
▼ 1 pts vs KY 38%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 4–9 pts vs KY 91%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$12.8K
▼ 13% vs KY $14.8K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.0
KY 15.4 · smaller classes
Schools in town
3
2,518 students on the public path
In brief

Columbia’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 42% of tested students were proficient in reading and 37% in math, against 45% and 38% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 91% across Kentucky (the state reports Columbia’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $12,778 per student, against $14,752 across Kentucky (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school

From grade 3 the district’s path is Adair County Elementary School, then Adair County Middle School, then Adair County High School. See the path ↓

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 69% of Kentucky school districts, #55 of 139 Kentucky towns. Graduation is above the Kentucky average; test scores are below it.

Kentucky school districts we grade (172)Better than 69%
Lower resultsHigher results
Kentucky towns with similar household incomes (203)Better than 71%
B−A−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,356 test results and a graduating class of 197 could put Columbia anywhere from B− to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Columbia’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,356 in math, 1,355 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
PK–2Adair County Primary CenterAdair County School DistrictNo scores
3–5Adair County Elementary SchoolAdair County School DistrictC−
6–8Adair County Middle SchoolAdair County School DistrictB−
9–12Adair County High SchoolAdair County School DistrictB−

Columbia’s public schools are run by Adair County School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

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

Adair County School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 5 schools · 2,585 students · 14.0 per teacher (KY 15.4)
$12,778KY $14,752 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading42%
State average 44.7% · 1355 students tested
Math37%
State average 37.8% · 1356 students tested

Columbia vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ColumbiaB+Adair County

Every school in Columbia

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

District schools in Columbiaby address
Adair County Elementary School
Elementary · Grades 3–5
C−
550 students14:1Rate it →
Adair County Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
B−
559 students15:1Rate it →
Adair County High School
High · Grades 9–12
B−
805 students15:1Rate it →
Also serving Columbiain other towns
Adair County Primary Center
Elementary · Grades PK–2
604 students13:1Rate it →

Questions about Columbia’s schools

Are Columbia’s schools good?

By Kentucky’s own tests, yes: the public schools Columbia children attend outscore 69% of Kentucky’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #55 of 139 Kentucky towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 71%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Columbia in?

Adair County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,585 students in 5 schools (2024–25).

Where do Columbia kids go to high school?

Adair County High School, with 805 students; its own test results earn a B−.

What is Columbia’s graduation rate?

95–100% of the class of 2023 in Adair County School District graduated in four years, against 91% across Kentucky.

How much does Columbia spend per student?

$12,778 in Adair County School District (FY2024), against $14,752 across Kentucky. 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 Kentucky. Stars are from neighbors.