7.2 avg / 10

Best Schools in Columbus, North Carolina

2 schools · 2 High

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 2

Districts: 1

Avg Rating: 7.2/10

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 7.2/10
Median household income: $60,774
Median home value: $277,600
Bachelor's degree or higher: 31%
Avg commute: 23 min
Owner-occupied homes: 68%

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 7.2 out of 10, schools in Columbus perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Columbus is Polk County Early College with a composite score of 9.0/10, 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.

Filter by Level: All Levels (2) High (2)

Filter by Type: All Types (2) Public (2)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (2) Academics (2) Growth (2) Diversity (2) Resources (2)

Filter by ZIP: 28722 (2)

High Schools

2 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Polk County Early College 55 students · 9th–12th	55	9th–12th	9.0
2	Polk County High School 593 students · 9th–12th	593	9th–12th	5.3

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.

Quick Facts

State: North Carolina
Total Schools: 2
High: 2
Districts: 1
Avg Rating: 7.2/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Columbus schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Columbus 📊 Niche Columbus Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School District

Polk County Schools

7 schools · 2,156 students

Nearby Cities

Mill Spring (3 schools)

Flat Rock (5 schools)

13 mi

Rutherfordton (5 schools)

15 mi

East Flat Rock (3 schools)

14 mi

Spindale (3 schools)

16 mi

Hendersonville (23 schools)

16 mi

Union Mills (1 school)

20 mi

Forest City (8 schools)

Black Mountain (4 schools)

24 mi

Old Fort (1 school)

25 mi

Other Major Cities in North Carolina

Top metros statewide by school count.

Charlotte 225 schools Raleigh 138 schools Greensboro 95 schools Durham 94 schools Fayetteville 85 schools

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 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 7.2 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

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 9.0/10.

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 9.0/10.

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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.