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Polk-County-Courthouse-SW-ncPhoto: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0
B+
Schools in Columbus · Polk County Schools

Columbus’s public schools outscore 73% of North Carolina districts

In Columbus, 67% of tested students read at a proficient level, above the North Carolina average (50%). 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 North Carolina, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From North Carolina 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
67%
▲ 17 pts vs NC 50%
2021–22
Math proficiency
66%
▲ 15 pts vs NC 51%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80–84%
▼ 2–6 pts vs NC 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$16.0K
▲ 23% vs NC $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.1
NC 16.0 · smaller classes
Schools in town
1
1,514 students on the public path
In brief

Columbus’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 334 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Columbus’s, its schools beat 93%, higher than their 73% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on tests

Reading proficiency is 67% and math 66% in spring 2022, against 50% and 51% statewide; 80–84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $16,033 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Four elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Polk County Middle School, then Polk County Early College. 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 Columbus’s grade

A− Test scoresC− Graduation

B+: better than 73% of North Carolina school districts. Test scores are above the North Carolina average; graduation is below it.

North Carolina school districts we grade (325)Better than 73%
Lower resultsHigher results
North Carolina towns with similar household incomes (334)Better than 93%
BA−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,050 test results and a graduating class of 191 could put Columbus anywhere from B to A−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Columbus’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,005 in math, 1,094 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–54 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressB to A
6–8Polk County Middle Schoolin Mill SpringB+
9–12Polk County Early CollegePolk County SchoolsA

Columbus’s public schools are run by Polk County Schools, which also serves Saluda and Tryon. 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.

Polk County SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 7 schools · 2,110 students, down 2% since 2020–21 · 14.1 per teacher (NC 16.0)
$16,033NC $13,045 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading67%
State average 49.9% · 1094 students tested
Math66%
State average 50.8% · 1005 students tested

Columbus vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Columbus’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ColumbusB+Polk County Schools

Every school in Columbus

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

District schools in Columbusby address
Polk County Early College
High · Grades 9–12
A
52 students19:1Rate it →
Also serving Columbusin other towns
Polk Central Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Mill Spring
A
379 students16:1Rate it →
Tryon Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Tryon
A−
367 students14:1Rate it →
Saluda Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Saluda
A
142 students10:1Rate it →
Sunny View Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Mill Spring
B
120 students12:1Rate it →
Polk County Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Mill Spring
B+
454 students11:1Rate it →

Questions about Columbus’s schools

Are Columbus’s schools good?

By North Carolina’s own tests, yes: the public schools Columbus children attend outscore 73% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 93%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Columbus in?

Polk County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,110 students in 7 schools (2024–25).

Where do Columbus kids go to high school?

Polk County Early College, with 52 students; its own test results earn an A.

What is Columbus’s graduation rate?

80–84% of the class of 2023 in Polk County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.

How much does Columbus spend per student?

$16,033 in Polk County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Columbus families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

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 North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.