Best Schools in Columbus, North Carolina
2 schools · 2 High
Choosing a school in Columbus?
Use this page to compare every school in Columbus 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.
Polk County Early College
High · Polk County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Polk County High School
High · Polk County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Schools
2
in this city
Avg Score
8.6
out of 10
Median Home
$277,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
2
in this city
Avg Score
8.6
out of 10
Median Home
$277,600
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Columbus
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (2 of 2). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Polk County Early College | 9.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Polk County High School | 7.5 / 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
- 8.6/10
- Median household income
- $60,774
- Median home value
- $277,600
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 31%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 68%
100% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Columbus compares
Median household income
$61k
90% of North Carolina median
About Schools in Columbus, North Carolina
Columbus, North Carolina is home to 2 schools, including 2 public schools. The city's schools span 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 8.6 out of 10, schools in Columbus perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Columbus is Polk County Early College with a composite score of 9.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Columbus is served by 1 school district: Polk County Schools. These districts collectively serve 2,156 students.
Columbus's community shows 31% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $60,774. The poverty rate in the area is 11.9%.
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.
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 55 students · 9th–12th | 9.6 |
| 2 | 593 students · 9th–12th | 7.5 |
Schools in Columbus
Columbus, North Carolina · 2 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$60,774
Median Home Value
$277,600
Median Rent
$1,225/mo
Population
5,998
College Educated
31%
Homeownership
68%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
11.9%
Community Profile
Columbus has a median household income of $60,774. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $277,600, with a median rent of $1,225/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- High
- 2
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in North Carolina
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 Columbus, North Carolina
How many schools are in Columbus, North Carolina?
Columbus has 2 schools, including 2 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Columbus, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Columbus is 8.6 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 Columbus, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Columbus on MySchoolScout is Polk County Early College with a composite score of 9.6/10.
What is the best high school in Columbus, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Columbus on MySchoolScout is Polk County Early College with a composite score of 9.6/10.
How many school districts serve Columbus, North Carolina?
Columbus is served by 1 school district: Polk County Schools.
What is the education level in Columbus, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 31% of adults in Columbus have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Columbus, North Carolina?
The median household income in Columbus is approximately $60,774 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Columbus, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Columbus is 13.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Columbus, North Carolina?
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, North Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.