Charles McLaran House · Photo: Jack Boucher · Public domainColumbus’s public schools score below 91% of Mississippi districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Columbus’s districts is 20%, below the Mississippi average (47%). The grade covers the public school district serving Columbus, 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.
From Mississippi 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.
Columbus’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 158 Mississippi towns with household incomes within a quarter of Columbus’s, its schools beat 4%, lower than their 9% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 22% of tested students were proficient in reading and 20% in math, against 42% and 47% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
81% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89% across Mississippi. Districts ↓
Spending, and where it came from
The district spent $13,627 per student in FY2024, against $12,392 across Mississippi. 51% of its revenue that year was federal (Mississippi 23%), in the last year of pandemic relief. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Columbus Middle School, then Columbus High School. Enrollment is down 9% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Heritage Academy (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.
What’s behind Columbus’s grade
D: better than 9% of Mississippi school districts, #98 of 101 Mississippi towns. Both inputs trail the Mississippi average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Columbus, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Columbus
Columbus Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 597 students · 12:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Columbus
Columbus Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 597 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Columbus
Columbus Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 597 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Columbus
Columbus High School
Grades 9–12 · 865 students · 12:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Columbus
Columbus High School
Grades 9–12 · 865 students · 12:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Columbus
Columbus High School
Grades 9–12 · 865 students · 12:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Columbus
Columbus High School
Grades 9–12 · 865 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Columbus’s public schools are run by Columbus Municipal School District. Parts of Columbus (10% of its land) are served by Lowndes 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.
Well below the state in reading
Columbus vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Mississippi towns that share Columbus’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus | D | Columbus Municipal |
Every school in Columbus
9 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).
Left off: 3 public programs with fewer than 25 students (McKellar Vocational Center, CMSD Alternative School and Lowndes Co Voc Complex).
Questions about Columbus’s schools
Are Columbus’s schools good?
On Mississippi’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Columbus children attend score below 91% of Mississippi’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #98 of 101 Mississippi towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 4%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Columbus in?
Columbus Municipal School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,011 students in 7 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Columbus are served by Lowndes County.
Where do Columbus kids go to high school?
Columbus High School, with 865 students; its own test results earn a C−.
What is Columbus’s graduation rate?
81% of the class of 2023 in Columbus Municipal School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Mississippi.
How much does Columbus spend per student?
$13,627 in Columbus Municipal School District (FY2024), against $12,392 across Mississippi. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Columbus?
Yes: Heritage Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 497 students).
Parents talk
What Columbus families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Columbus → 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.