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7.0 avg / 10

Best Schools in Columbia, Mississippi

7 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other

Public: 6
Private: 1
Districts: 2
Avg Rating: 7.0/10
Estimated Scores: 29%

Family Snapshot

At a glance
Avg school rating
7.0/10

57% of schools rated 7+

Median household income
$42,953

Census ACS, ZIPs in this city

Median home value
$133,700

Owner-occupied units

Bachelor's degree or higher
13%

Adults 25+

Avg commute
32 min

Workers age 16+

Owner-occupied homes
76%

Of occupied housing units

How Columbia compares

Mississippi rank

#21 of 120

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

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, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Columbia is Jefferson Middle School with a composite score of 7.9/10, 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.

Filter by ZIP: 39429 (7)

Elementary Schools

3 schools
# School Rating
1 369 students · 3rd–5th 7.4
2 433 students · Pre-K–2nd 7.1
3 359 students · Pre-K–6th 6.2

Middle Schools

1 school
# School Rating
1 357 students · 6th–8th 7.9

High Schools

2 schools
# School Rating
1 471 students · 9th–12th 6.8
2 345 students · 7th–12th 5.7

Other Schools

1 school
# School Rating
1 77 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.

Quick Facts

Total Schools
7
Elementary
3
Middle
1
High
2
Districts
2
Avg Rating
7.0/10

Other Major Cities in Mississippi

Top metros statewide by school count.

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently 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, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Columbia, Mississippi?

The top-ranked school in Columbia on MySchoolScout is Jefferson Middle School with a composite score of 7.9/10.

What is the best elementary school in Columbia, Mississippi?

The top-ranked elementary school in Columbia on MySchoolScout is Columbia Elementary School with a composite score of 7.4/10.

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 7.9/10.

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 6.8/10.

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 7.9/10.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Columbia, Mississippi?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Columbia is 12.4:1. 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.

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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.