Best Schools in Columbia, Tennessee
18 schools · 6 Elementary · 2 Middle · 4 High · 6 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.
J. R. Baker Elementary
Elementary · Maury County. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Highland Park Elementary
Elementary · Maury County. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
J E Woodard Elementary
Elementary · Maury County. 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 J. R. Baker Elementary (8.2/10), Highland Park Elementary (7.4/10), and J E Woodard Elementary (7.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 12 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
18
12 public · 6 private
Avg Score
5.2
out of 10
Median Home
$295,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
18
12 public · 6 private
Avg Score
5.2
out of 10
Median Home
$295,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Columbia
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 12 rated schools; 18 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | J. R. Baker Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Highland Park Elementary | 7.4 / 10 |
| 3 | J E Woodard Elementary | 7.3 / 10 |
| 4 | J. Brown Elementary | 7.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Riverside Elementary | 5.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Spring Hill High School | 4.4 / 10 |
| 7 | R Howell Elementary | 4.3 / 10 |
| 8 | Northfield Academy | 4.3 / 10 |
| 9 | Whitthorne Middle School | 3.9 / 10 |
| 10 | E. A. Cox Middle School | 3.5 / 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
- 5.2/10
- Median household income
- $69,467
- Median home value
- $295,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 72%
24% 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
Tennessee rank
#169 of 182
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.1
below Tennessee avg (6.4)
Median household income
$69k
107% of Tennessee median
Schools in this city
17
Maury County runs Columbia's public schools
12 public schools. Maury County is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Columbia is a Maury County school (12 of 12).
Among 12 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.4 to 8.2 — the spread is inside Columbia, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Columbia, Tennessee
Columbia, Tennessee is home to 18 schools, including 12 public schools and 6 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 4 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.2 out of 10, schools in Columbia 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 is J. R. Baker Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Columbia is served by 1 school district: Maury County. These districts collectively serve 13,084 students.
Columbia's community shows 24% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $69,467. The poverty rate in the area is 11.8%.
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
6 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 323 students · Pre-K–4th | 8.2 |
| 2 | 287 students · Pre-K–4th | 7.4 |
| 3 | 547 students · Pre-K–4th | 7.3 |
| 4 | 355 students · Pre-K–4th | 7.2 |
| 5 | 405 students · Pre-K–4th | 5.5 |
| 6 | 594 students · Pre-K–4th | 4.3 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 955 students · 5th–8th | 3.9 |
| 2 | 652 students · 5th–8th | 3.5 |
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,243 students · 9th–12th | 4.4 |
| 2 | 106 students · 9th–12th | 4.3 |
| 3 | 1,409 students · 9th–12th | 3.4 |
| 4 | 60 students · 7th–12th | 3.4 |
Other Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Kings Daughters SchoolPrivate 74 students · UG–UG | Not Rated |
| 2 | Agathos Classical SchoolPrivate 313 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
| 3 | Zion Christian AcademyPrivate 467 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
| 4 | White Stone AcademyPrivate 111 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
| 5 | Columbia AcademyPrivate 1,003 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
| 6 | 23 students · 3rd–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Columbia
Columbia, Tennessee · 18 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$69,467
Median Home Value
$295,200
Median Rent
$1,084/mo
Population
66,696
College Educated
24%
Homeownership
72%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
11.8%
Community Profile
Columbia has a median household income of $69,467. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $295,200, with a median rent of $1,084/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Tennessee
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 4
- Other
- 6
Resources
School District
Other Major Cities in Tennessee
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, Tennessee
How many schools are in Columbia, Tennessee?
Columbia has 18 schools, including 12 public and 6 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Columbia, Tennessee?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Columbia is 5.2 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, Tennessee?
The top-ranked school in Columbia on MySchoolScout is J. R. Baker Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Columbia, Tennessee?
The top-ranked elementary school in Columbia on MySchoolScout is J. R. Baker Elementary with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Columbia, Tennessee?
The top-ranked middle school in Columbia on MySchoolScout is Whitthorne Middle School with a composite score of 3.9/10.
What is the best high school in Columbia, Tennessee?
The top-ranked high school in Columbia on MySchoolScout is Spring Hill High School with a composite score of 4.4/10.
How many school districts serve Columbia, Tennessee?
Columbia is served by 1 school district: Maury County.
What is the education level in Columbia, Tennessee?
According to Census data, 24% of adults in Columbia have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Columbia, Tennessee?
The median household income in Columbia is approximately $69,467 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Columbia, Tennessee?
Yes, Columbia has 6 private schools alongside 12 public schools. The top-rated private school is The Kings Daughters School with a score of 6.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Columbia, Tennessee?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Columbia is 14.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Columbia, Tennessee?
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, Tennessee Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.