Best Schools in Columbia City, Indiana
8 schools · 5 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Columbia City?
Use this page to compare every school in Columbia City by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Little Turtle Elementary School
Elementary · Whitley County Con Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Northern Heights Elementary School
Elementary · Whitley County Con Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Coesse School
Elementary · Whitley County Con Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Columbia City for 2026 are Little Turtle Elementary School (7.2/10), Northern Heights Elementary School (6.3/10), and Coesse School (6.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
8
6 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$216,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
8
6 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$216,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +4.7 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Columbia City schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Columbia City
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 rated schools; 8 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little Turtle Elementary School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Northern Heights Elementary School | 6.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Coesse School | 6.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Indian Springs Middle School | 5.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Columbia City High School | 4.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Mary Raber Elementary School | 4.8 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.8/10
- Median household income
- $76,214
- Median home value
- $216,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 25%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 79%
14% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Columbia City compares
Indiana rank
#161 of 220
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below Indiana avg (6.4)
Median household income
$76k
106% of Indiana median
Schools in this city
7
Whitley County Con Schools runs Columbia City's public schools
6 public schools. Whitley County Con Schools is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Columbia City is a Whitley County Con Schools school (6 of 6).
Among 6 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.8 to 7.2 — the spread is inside Columbia City, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Columbia City, Indiana
Columbia City, Indiana is home to 8 schools, including 6 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.8 out of 10, schools in Columbia City show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Columbia City is Little Turtle Elementary School with a composite score of 7.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Columbia City is served by 1 school district: Whitley County Con Schools. These districts collectively serve 3,690 students.
Columbia City's community shows 25% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $76,214. The poverty rate in the area is 8.8%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 597 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.2 | ||
| 2 | 519 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.3 | ||
| 3 | 301 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.0 | ||
| 4 | 290 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.8 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Faith Christian AcademyPrivate 23 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 809 students · 6th–8th | 5.4 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,174 students · 9th–12th | 4.8 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | T.r.o.y. CenterPrivate 46 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Columbia City
Columbia City, Indiana · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$76,214
Median Home Value
$216,700
Median Rent
$907/mo
Population
22,941
College Educated
25%
Homeownership
79%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
8.8%
Community Profile
Columbia City has a median household income of $76,214. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $216,700, with a median rent of $907/month. The local poverty rate of 8.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Indiana
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
Resources
School District
Other Major Cities in Indiana
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Columbia City, Indiana
How many schools are in Columbia City, Indiana?
Columbia City has 8 schools, including 6 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Columbia City, Indiana?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Columbia City is 5.8 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Columbia City, Indiana?
The top-ranked school in Columbia City on MySchoolScout is Little Turtle Elementary School with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Columbia City, Indiana?
The top-ranked elementary school in Columbia City on MySchoolScout is Little Turtle Elementary School with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Columbia City, Indiana?
The top-ranked middle school in Columbia City on MySchoolScout is Indian Springs Middle School with a composite score of 5.4/10.
What is the best high school in Columbia City, Indiana?
The top-ranked high school in Columbia City on MySchoolScout is Columbia City High School with a composite score of 4.8/10.
How many school districts serve Columbia City, Indiana?
Columbia City is served by 1 school district: Whitley County Con Schools.
What is the education level in Columbia City, Indiana?
According to Census data, 25% of adults in Columbia City have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Columbia City, Indiana?
The median household income in Columbia City is approximately $76,214 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Columbia City, Indiana?
Yes, Columbia City has 2 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is T.r.o.y. Center with a score of 6.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Columbia City, Indiana?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Columbia City is 13.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Columbia City, Indiana?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings and parent guides, free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Indiana Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.