Best Schools in Columbia, Mississippi
7 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Columbia?
Use this page to compare every school in Columbia 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.
East Marion Elementary School
Elementary · Marion Co School Dist. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Columbia High School
High · Columbia School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
East Marion High School
High · Marion Co School Dist. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Columbia for 2026 are East Marion Elementary School (8.3/10), Columbia High School (7.8/10), and East Marion High School (7.5/10), 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
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$133,700
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$133,700
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +26.0 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Columbia schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Columbia
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 rated schools; 7 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Marion Elementary School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Columbia High School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 3 | East Marion High School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Columbia Elementary School | 7.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Jefferson Middle School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Columbia Primary School | 4.9 / 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
- 7.0/10
- Median household income
- $42,953
- Median home value
- $133,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 13%
- Avg commute
- 32 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 76%
71% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Columbia compares
Mississippi rank
#25 of 124
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.7
above Mississippi avg (6.3)
Median household income
$43k
82% of Mississippi median
Schools in this city
7
Columbia School District runs 67% of Columbia's public schools
Columbia touches 2 districts, but Columbia School District is the one most addresses actually attend.
Columbia School District accounts for 4 of 6 public schools (67%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 2.
Among 6 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.9 to 8.3 — the spread is inside Columbia, not a citywide average.
- Columbia School District4 public · 67%
- Marion Co School Dist2 public · 33%
About Schools in Columbia, Mississippi
Columbia, Mississippi is home to 7 schools, including 6 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 7.0 out of 10, schools in Columbia perform strongly 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 is East Marion Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Columbia is served by 2 school districts: COLUMBIA SCHOOL DISTRICT, MARION CO SCHOOL DIST. These districts collectively serve 3,520 students.
Columbia's community shows 13% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $42,953. The poverty rate in the area is 18.9%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 359 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.3 |
| 2 | 369 students · 3rd–5th | 7.4 |
| 3 | 433 students · Pre-K–2nd | 4.9 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 357 students · 6th–8th | 5.5 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 471 students · 9th–12th | 7.8 |
| 2 | 345 students · 7th–12th | 7.5 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woodlawn Preparatory SchoolPrivate 103 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Columbia
Columbia, Mississippi · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$42,953
Median Home Value
$133,700
Median Rent
$585/mo
Population
16,583
College Educated
13%
Homeownership
76%
Avg Commute
32 min
Poverty Rate
18.9%
Community Profile
Columbia has a median household income of $42,953. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $133,700, with a median rent of $585/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.9%. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Mississippi
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
Other Major Cities in Mississippi
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, Mississippi
How many schools are in Columbia, Mississippi?
Columbia has 7 schools, including 6 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Columbia, Mississippi?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Columbia is 7.0 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, Mississippi?
The top-ranked school in Columbia on MySchoolScout is East Marion Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Columbia, Mississippi?
The top-ranked elementary school in Columbia on MySchoolScout is East Marion Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Columbia, Mississippi?
The top-ranked middle school in Columbia on MySchoolScout is Jefferson Middle School with a composite score of 5.5/10.
What is the best high school in Columbia, Mississippi?
The top-ranked high school in Columbia on MySchoolScout is Columbia High School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
How many school districts serve Columbia, Mississippi?
Columbia is served by 2 school districts: Columbia School District, Marion Co School Dist.
What is the education level in Columbia, Mississippi?
According to Census data, 13% of adults in Columbia have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Columbia, Mississippi?
The median household income in Columbia is approximately $42,953 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Columbia, Mississippi?
Yes, Columbia has 1 private school alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Woodlawn Preparatory School with a score of 7.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Columbia, Mississippi?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Columbia is 12.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Columbia, Mississippi?
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.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Mississippi Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.