Sanborn Field and Soil Erosion Plots · Photo: Iwtwb8 · CC BY-SA 3.0Columbia’s public schools score below 55% of Missouri districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Columbia, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Math proficiency in Columbia’s districts is 34%, below the Missouri average (39%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Missouri, not nationally.
From Missouri 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.
Columbia’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 569 Missouri towns with household incomes within a quarter of Columbia’s, its schools beat 37%, lower than their 45% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 42% of tested students were proficient in reading and 34% in math, against 43% and 39% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89% across Missouri. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,650 per student, against $14,569 across Missouri (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
19 elementary schools, then seven middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Our Lady of Lourdes Interparish School (private), Christian Fellowship School (private), Christian Chapel Academy (private), City Garden School (private), Heritage Academy (private), Islamic School of Columbia-Missouri (private), Columbia Academy for Learning and Enrichment (private), La Petite Ecole (private), Columbia Montessori School (private), College Park Christian Academy (private), The Children's School at Stephens C (private), High Road School of Boone County (private), Windsor Street Montessori SCHL (private) and Meadowlark School LLC (private) are in town. Every school ↓
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.
What’s behind Columbia’s grade
B−: better than 45% of Missouri school districts, #173 of 247 Missouri towns. Both inputs trail the Missouri average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Columbia, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Columbia · depends on your address
David H. Hickman High
Grades 9–12 · 2,007 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Rock Bridge SR. High
Grades 9–12 · 1,997 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Muriel Battle High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,492 students · 14:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Columbia · depends on your address
David H. Hickman High
Grades 9–12 · 2,007 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Rock Bridge SR. High
Grades 9–12 · 1,997 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Muriel Battle High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,492 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Columbia’s public schools are run by Columbia 93 School District, which also serves Huntsdale, McBaine and Pierpont. 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.
Close to the state in reading
Columbia vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Missouri towns that share Columbia’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia | B− | Columbia 93 |
Every school in Columbia
45 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Missouri’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 6 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Delmar A Cobble School, Columbia Area Career CTR., Eugene Field Center, Juvenile Justice CTR., MOCA at Louisiana and Mizzou Academy). 1 duplicate private-school records merged.
Questions about Columbia’s schools
Are Columbia’s schools good?
On Missouri’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Columbia children attend score below 55% of Missouri’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #173 of 247 Missouri towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 37%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Columbia in?
Columbia 93 School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 18,640 students in 34 schools (2024–25).
Where do Columbia kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: David H. Hickman High, Rock Bridge SR. High and Muriel Battle High School.
What is Columbia’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in Columbia 93 School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Missouri.
How much does Columbia spend per student?
$14,650 in Columbia 93 School District (FY2024), against $14,569 across Missouri. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Columbia?
Yes: Our Lady of Lourdes Interparish School (Catholic, grades K–8, 628 students), Christian Fellowship School (religious, grades PK–12, 482 students), Christian Chapel Academy (religious, grades PK–8, 264 students), City Garden School (nonsectarian, grades K–7, 80 students), Heritage Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 78 students), Islamic School of Columbia-Missouri (religious, grades PK–5, 71 students), Columbia Academy for Learning and Enrichment (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 68 students), La Petite Ecole (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 64 students), Columbia Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 61 students), College Park Christian Academy (religious, grades K–8, 58 students), The Children's School at Stephens C (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 53 students), High Road School of Boone County (special education, grades K–12, 41 students), Windsor Street Montessori SCHL (nonsectarian, grades PK–4, 16 students) and Meadowlark School LLC (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 16 students).
Parents talk
What Columbia families are saying about school.
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 Missouri. Stars are from neighbors.