Photo: Hmil6 · CC BY-SA 4.0Columbia’s public schools score below 85% of Tennessee districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 22% of Columbia’s students scored proficient, below the Tennessee average (31%). 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 Tennessee, not nationally.
From Tennessee state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% 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
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 27% of tested students were proficient in reading and 22% in math, against 37% and 31% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
81% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 87% across Tennessee. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,099 per student, against $13,059 across Tennessee (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Six elementary schools, then two middle and two 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
Columbia Academy (private), Agathos Classical School (private), The Kings Daughters School (private) and The Kings Daughters School-Cfa Campus (private) are in town. Virtual Academy of Maury County, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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
C−: better than 15% of Tennessee school districts, #158 of 176 Tennessee towns. Both inputs trail the Tennessee 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.
5th grade in Columbia · depends on your address
Whitthorne Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 951 students
E. A. Cox Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 626 students
6th grade in Columbia · depends on your address
Whitthorne Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 951 students
E. A. Cox Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 626 students
7th grade in Columbia · depends on your address
Whitthorne Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 951 students
E. A. Cox Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 626 students
8th grade in Columbia · depends on your address
Whitthorne Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 951 students
E. A. Cox Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 626 students
9th grade in Columbia · depends on your address
Columbia Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,401 students
Northfield Academy
Grades 9–12 · 74 students
10th grade in Columbia · depends on your address
Columbia Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,401 students
Northfield Academy
Grades 9–12 · 74 students
11th grade in Columbia · depends on your address
Columbia Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,401 students
Northfield Academy
Grades 9–12 · 74 students
12th grade in Columbia · depends on your address
Columbia Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,401 students
Northfield Academy
Grades 9–12 · 74 students
Columbia’s public schools are run by Maury County School District, which also serves Mount Pleasant and Spring Hill. 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 vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Tennessee towns that share Columbia’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia | C− | Maury County |
| Spring Hill | A+ | Maury County PK–12 · Williamson County PK–12 |
Every school in Columbia
15 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Tennessee’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Columbia’s schools
Are Columbia’s schools good?
On Tennessee’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Columbia children attend score below 85% of Tennessee’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #158 of 176 Tennessee towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 12%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Columbia in?
Maury County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 13,098 students in 24 schools (2024–25).
Where do Columbia kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Columbia Central High School and Northfield Academy.
What is Columbia’s graduation rate?
81% of the class of 2023 in Maury County School District graduated in four years, against 87% across Tennessee.
How much does Columbia spend per student?
$12,099 in Maury County School District (FY2024), against $13,059 across Tennessee. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Columbia?
Yes: Columbia Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 1,199 students), Agathos Classical School (religious, grades PK–12, 337 students), The Kings Daughters School (special education, grades , 74 students) and The Kings Daughters School-Cfa Campus (special education, grades 3–12, 23 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 Tennessee. Stars are from neighbors.