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Columbia Township Michigan Township OfficesPhoto: Dwight Burdette · CC BY 3.0
B+
Schools in Columbia Township · Columbia School District

Columbia Township’s public schools outscore 68% of Michigan districts

On the state reading tests, 53% of Columbia Township’s students scored proficient, above the Michigan average (45%). The grade covers the public school district serving Columbia Township, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Michigan, not nationally.

#334of 699 Michigan townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Michigan state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% 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
53%
▲ 8 pts vs MI 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
36%
▲ 2 pts vs MI 34%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80–84%
▼ 2–2 pts vs MI 82%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.9K
▼ 10% vs MI $16.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
15.7
MI 16.5 · smaller classes
Schools in town
4
1,350 students on the public path
In brief

Columbia Township’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 977 Michigan towns with household incomes within a quarter of Columbia Township’s, its schools beat 56%, lower than their 68% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 53% and math 36% in spring 2022, against 45% and 34% statewide; 80–84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,941 per student, against $16,528 across Michigan (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one middle school

From grade 3 the district’s path is Columbia Upper Elementary School, then Columbia Central 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 Township’s grade

A− Test scoresC+ Graduation

B+: better than 68% of Michigan school districts, #334 of 699 Michigan towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Michigan average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Michigan school districts we grade (815)Better than 68%
Lower resultsHigher results
Michigan towns with similar household incomes (977)Better than 56%
Towns in Jackson County (19)Better than 58%
BA−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 741 test results and a graduating class of 122 could put Columbia Township anywhere from B to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Columbia Township’s students in the tested grades sat them (740 in math, 742 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–2Columbia Elementary SchoolColumbia School DistrictNo scores
3–6Columbia Upper Elementary SchoolColumbia School DistrictB
7–12Columbia Central High SchoolColumbia School DistrictB

Columbia Township’s public schools are run by Columbia School District, which also serves Brooklyn, Cement City, Liberty and Norvell and others. Parts of Columbia Township (8% of its land) are served by Napoleon instead. 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.

Columbia School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 1,428 students, down 2% since 2020–21 · 15.7 per teacher (MI 16.5)
$14,941MI $16,528 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading53%
State average 45.4% · 742 students tested
Math36%
State average 33.6% · 740 students tested

Columbia Township vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Columbia TownshipB+Columbia
NorvellBColumbia PK–12 · Napoleon PK–12
NapoleonBNapoleon
LibertyB+Hanover-Horton Schools PK–12 · Columbia PK–12

2 of the 3 neighbors share Columbia with Columbia Township, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Columbia Township

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

District schools in Columbia Townshipby address
Columbia Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–2 · Brooklyn
307 students13:1Rate it →
Columbia Upper Elementary School
Elementary · Grades 3–6 · Brooklyn
B
406 students16:1Rate it →
Columbia Central High School
High · Grades 7–12 · Brooklyn
B
637 students18:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
Columbia Alternative Education
High · Grades 6–12 · Clarklake
C−
Alternative Education
78 students15:1Rate it →

Questions about Columbia Township’s schools

Are Columbia Township’s schools good?

By Michigan’s own tests, yes: the public schools Columbia Township children attend outscore 68% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #334 of 699 Michigan towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 56%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Columbia Township in?

Columbia School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,428 students in 4 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Columbia Township are served by Napoleon.

What is Columbia Township’s graduation rate?

80–84% of the class of 2023 in Columbia School District graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.

How much does Columbia Township spend per student?

$14,941 in Columbia School District (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Columbia Township families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Columbia Township → 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 Michigan. Stars are from neighbors.