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Schools in Columbia · Columbia School District

Columbia’s public schools outscore 94% of Mississippi districts

56% of students in Columbia’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Mississippi average (47%). 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 Mississippi, not nationally.

#5of 101 Mississippi townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Mississippi 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
49%
▲ 7 pts vs MS 42%
2021–22
Math proficiency
56%
▲ 9 pts vs MS 47%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 6–11 pts vs MS 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$12.4K
▲ 0% vs MS $12.4K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.0
MS 13.9 · smaller classes
Schools in town
5
1,639 students on the public path
In brief

Columbia’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 49% and math 56% in spring 2022, against 42% and 47% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $12,450 per student, against $12,392 across Mississippi (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 Columbia Elementary School, then Jefferson Middle School, then Columbia High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Woodlawn Preparatory School (private) is 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Columbia’s grade

A− Test scoresA Graduation

A: better than 94% of Mississippi school districts, #5 of 101 Mississippi towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Mississippi average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

Mississippi school districts we grade (150)Better than 94%
Lower resultsHigher results
Mississippi towns with similar household incomes (142)Better than 97%
A−A+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 769 test results and a graduating class of 104 could put Columbia anywhere from A− to A+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Columbia’s students in the tested grades sat them (771 in math, 767 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–2Columbia Primary SchoolColumbia School DistrictNo scores
3–5Columbia Elementary SchoolColumbia School DistrictA−
6–8Jefferson Middle SchoolColumbia School DistrictB−
9–12Columbia High SchoolColumbia School DistrictB

Columbia’s public schools are run by Columbia School District. Parts of Columbia (13% of its land) are served by Marion County 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 · 1,639 students · 13.0 per teacher (MS 13.9)
$12,450MS $12,392 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading49%
State average 41.7% · 767 students tested
Math56%
State average 47% · 771 students tested

Columbia vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ColumbiaAColumbia

Every school in Columbia

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

District schools in Columbiaby address
Columbia Primary School
Elementary · Grades PK–2
448 students13:1Rate it →
Columbia Elementary School
Elementary · Grades 3–5
A−
378 students13:1Rate it →
Jefferson Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
B−
329 students12:1Rate it →
Columbia High School
High · Grades 9–12
B
484 students14:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Woodlawn Preparatory School
Grades PK–12
Private · Religious
115 students8:1Rate it →

Questions about Columbia’s schools

Are Columbia’s schools good?

By Mississippi’s own tests, yes: the public schools Columbia children attend outscore 94% of Mississippi’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #5 of 101 Mississippi towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 97%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Columbia in?

Columbia School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,639 students in 4 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Columbia are served by Marion County.

Where do Columbia kids go to high school?

Columbia High School, with 484 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is Columbia’s graduation rate?

95–100% of the class of 2023 in Columbia School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Mississippi.

How much does Columbia spend per student?

$12,450 in Columbia School District (FY2024), against $12,392 across Mississippi. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Columbia?

Yes: Woodlawn Preparatory School (religious, grades PK–12, 115 students).

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 Mississippi. Stars are from neighbors.