5.9 avg / 10

Best Schools in Columbia, Tennessee

18 schools · 6 Elementary · 2 Middle · 4 High · 6 Other

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 12

Private: 6

Districts: 1

Avg Rating: 5.9/10

Estimated Scores: 35%

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 5.9/10
Median household income: $69,467
Median home value: $295,200
Bachelor's degree or higher: 24%
Avg commute: 28 min
Owner-occupied homes: 72%

How Columbia compares

Tennessee rank

#126 of 182

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

-0.4

below Tennessee avg (6.3)

Median household income

$69k

107% of Tennessee median

Schools in this city

17

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 5.9 out of 10, schools in Columbia show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Columbia is Highland Park Elementary with a composite score of 8.5/10, 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.

Filter by Level: All Levels (18) Elementary (6) Middle (2) High (4)

Filter by Type: All Types (18) Public (12) Private (6)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (18) Academics (18) Growth (11) Diversity (11) Resources (12)

Filter by ZIP: 38401 (18)

Elementary Schools

6 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Highland Park Elementary 287 students · Pre-K–4th	287	Pre-K–4th	8.5
2	J. R. Baker Elementary 323 students · Pre-K–4th	323	Pre-K–4th	8.2
3	J E Woodard Elementary 547 students · Pre-K–4th	547	Pre-K–4th	8.1
4	R Howell Elementary 594 students · Pre-K–4th	594	Pre-K–4th	6.3
5	J. Brown Elementary 355 students · Pre-K–4th	355	Pre-K–4th	6.2
6	Riverside Elementary 405 students · Pre-K–4th	405	Pre-K–4th	5.6

Middle Schools

2 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Whitthorne Middle School 955 students · 5th–8th	955	5th–8th	6.1
2	E. A. Cox Middle School 652 students · 5th–8th	652	5th–8th	5.2

High Schools

4 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Spring Hill High School 1,243 students · 9th–12th	1,243	9th–12th	6.0
2	Northfield Academy 106 students · 9th–12th	106	9th–12th	5.0
3	Columbia Central High School 1,409 students · 9th–12th	1,409	9th–12th	4.2
4	Virtual Academy of Maury County 60 students · 7th–12th	60	7th–12th	4.2

Other Schools

6 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	AGATHOS CLASSICAL SCHOOL Private 275 students · Pre-K–12th	275	Pre-K–12th	Not Rated
2	THE KINGS DAUGHTERS SCHOOL Private 110 students · UG–UG	110	UG–UG	Not Rated
3	ZION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Private 381 students · Pre-K–12th	381	Pre-K–12th	Not Rated
4	WHITE STONE ACADEMY Private 111 students · Pre-K–12th	111	Pre-K–12th	Not Rated
5	COLUMBIA ACADEMY Private 887 students · Pre-K–12th	887	Pre-K–12th	Not Rated
6	THE KINGS DAUGHTERS SCHOOL-CFA CAMPUS Private 22 students · UG–UG	22	UG–UG	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.

Quick Facts

State: Tennessee
Total Schools: 18
Elementary: 6
Middle: 2
High: 4
Districts: 1
Avg Rating: 5.9/10

Resources

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

School District

Maury County

23 schools · 13,084 students

Nearby Cities

Mt. Pleasant (3 schools)

10 mi

Spring Hill (14 schools)

12 mi

Thompson Station (3 schools)

15 mi

Hampshire (1 school)

14 mi

Thompson'S Station (3 schools)

16 mi

Lewisburg (5 schools)

17 mi

Lynnville (2 schools)

20 mi

Summertown (3 schools)

19 mi

Cornersville (2 schools)

21 mi

Chapel Hill (3 schools)

20 mi

Fairview (4 schools)

24 mi

Franklin (36 schools)

23 mi

Ethridge (7 schools)

23 mi

Other Major Cities in Tennessee

Top metros statewide by school count.

Memphis 242 schools Nashville 167 schools Knoxville 116 schools Chattanooga 72 schools Clarksville 51 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 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 5.9 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

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

The top-ranked school in Columbia on MySchoolScout is Highland Park Elementary with a composite score of 8.5/10.

What is the best elementary school in Columbia, Tennessee?

The top-ranked elementary school in Columbia on MySchoolScout is Highland Park Elementary with a composite score of 8.5/10.

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 6.1/10.

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 6.0/10.

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 Agathos Classical School with a score of 6.6/10.

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

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Columbia is 14.2:1. 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.