Photo: Tedder · CC BY 3.0Columbia City’s public schools score below 83% of Oregon districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Columbia City’s districts is 18%, below the Oregon average (31%). The grade covers the public school district serving Columbia City, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Oregon, not nationally.
From Oregon state tests taken in spring 2022, when 82% 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 City’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 164 Oregon towns with household incomes within a quarter of Columbia City’s, its schools beat 8%, lower than their 17% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 32% of tested students were proficient in reading and 18% in math, against 44% and 31% statewide; 82% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
74% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 81% across Oregon. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,493 per student, against $17,749 across Oregon (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 6 the district’s path is St Helens Middle School, then St Helens High School. Enrollment is up 10% since 2020–21. 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.
What’s behind Columbia City’s grade
C−: better than 17% of Oregon school districts. Both inputs trail the Oregon 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 Columbia City, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Columbia City
Columbia City School
Grades K–5 · 214 students · 18:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Columbia City
Columbia City School
Grades K–5 · 214 students · 18:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Columbia City
Columbia City School
Grades K–5 · 214 students · 18:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Columbia City
Columbia City School
Grades K–5 · 214 students · 18:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Columbia City
Columbia City School
Grades K–5 · 214 students · 18:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Columbia City
Columbia City School
Grades K–5 · 214 students · 18:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Columbia City
St Helens Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 563 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in St Helens
7th grade in Columbia City
St Helens Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 563 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in St Helens
8th grade in Columbia City
St Helens Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 563 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in St Helens
9th grade in Columbia City
St Helens High School
Grades 9–12 · 823 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in St Helens
10th grade in Columbia City
St Helens High School
Grades 9–12 · 823 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in St Helens
11th grade in Columbia City
St Helens High School
Grades 9–12 · 823 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in St Helens
12th grade in Columbia City
St Helens High School
Grades 9–12 · 823 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in St Helens
Columbia City’s public schools are run by St. Helens School District 502, which also serves St. Helens. 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
Columbia City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Oregon towns that share Columbia City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia City | C− | St. Helens School District 502 |
| St. Helens | C− | St. Helens School District 502 |
Every school in Columbia City
3 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Oregon’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Columbia City’s schools
Are Columbia City’s schools good?
On Oregon’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Columbia City children attend score below 83% of Oregon’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 8%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Columbia City in?
St. Helens School District 502, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 2,856 students in 8 schools (2024–25).
Where do Columbia City kids go to high school?
St Helens High School in St Helens, with 823 students; its own test results earn a B−.
What is Columbia City’s graduation rate?
74% of the class of 2023 in St. Helens School District 502 graduated in four years, against 81% across Oregon.
How much does Columbia City spend per student?
$15,493 in St. Helens School District 502 (FY2024), against $17,749 across Oregon. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Columbia City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Columbia City → 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 Oregon. Stars are from neighbors.