Very Good
#339 of 1,356 schools in AL
Top 25% in state
Columbia Elementary School
Elementary School · Madison City
667 Balch Road, Madison, AL 35758
Enrollment
776
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
776
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Madison
#5 of 12
public schools
Alabama elementary schools
#304 of 696
In district
#5 of 11
Madison City
Equity
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Columbia Elementary School
Columbia Elementary School serves 776 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Madison, Alabama, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranking 57th among Alabama's 1,360 schools, Columbia demonstrates strong academic achievement that places it in the 96th percentile statewide. The school maintains a comfortable 16.2-to-1 student-teacher ratio with 48 full-time equivalent teachers supporting student learning.
Academic performance is particularly strong in English Language Arts, where 76% of students score proficient or above across all grade levels, while 65% achieve proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to providing quality education in core subject areas. Columbia Elementary sits in Madison County's affluent 35758 ZIP code, where the median household income reaches $103,914 and home values average $294,100.
The surrounding community is highly educated, with 63% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains a low poverty rate of just 4.9%. This supportive environment, combined with the school's academic focus, creates favorable conditions for student success. The school operates in Madison's large suburban setting, serving families in an established community known for its educational priorities and economic stability.
Score Breakdown
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Columbia Elementary School — Students at Columbia Elementary School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
28.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.9/10.
How Columbia Elementary School Compares
See how Columbia Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 76% (2019) to 65% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 77% (2019) to 76% (2022).
Location
667 Balch Road, Madison, AL 35758
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Columbia Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Madison Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Horizon Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Mill Creek Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Madison, see our Madison schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MADISON BAPTIST ACADEMY Madison | 0.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Liberty Middle School Madison | 0.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Heritage Elementary School Madison | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Discovery Middle School Madison | 1.4 mi | 6.2 |
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Madison | 1.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Bob Jones High School Madison | 1.7 mi | 5.0 |
| MidTown Elementary School Madison | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Mill Creek Elementary School Madison | 2.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Rainbow Elementary School Madison | 2.2 mi | 6.9 |
| James Clemens High School Madison | 2.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Madison Elementary School Madison | 2.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Endeavor Elementary School Harvest | 4.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Horizon Elementary School Madison | 3.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Creekside Elementary School Harvest | 4.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Creekside Primary School Harvest | 4.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Legacy Elementary School Madison | 4.4 mi | 7.6 |
| WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN ACAD - LOWER SCHOOL CAMPUS Madison | 4.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Columbia High School Huntsville | 3.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Monrovia Elementary School Huntsville | 4.5 mi | 7.4 |
| HUNTSVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Huntsville | 4.2 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35758 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$115,780
Median Home Value
$336,700
Median Rent
$1,375/mo
Population
48,929
College Educated
63.9%
Homeownership
69.8%
Avg Commute
19.7 min
Poverty Rate
4.7%
Median Age
38.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Columbia Elementary School has a median household income of $115,780. It is a well-educated community where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $336,700, with a median rent of $1,375/month. The local poverty rate of 4.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Caldwell Elementary School Scottsboro, AL | 7.6 |
| Cedar Hill Elementary School Ardmore, AL | 7.6 |
| Central Elementary School Florrence, AL | 7.6 |
| Kermit Johnson School Pinson, AL | 7.6 |
| Legacy Elementary School Madison, AL | 7.6 |
| Magnolia School Foley, AL | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Columbia Elementary School
What grades does Columbia Elementary School serve?
Columbia Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Columbia Elementary School?
Columbia Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 776 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbia Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Columbia Elementary School is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Columbia Elementary School rank in AL?
Columbia Elementary School is ranked #339 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Columbia Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Columbia Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Columbia Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbia Elementary School has 64.3% math proficiency and 83.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Columbia Elementary School a charter school?
No, Columbia Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Columbia Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Columbia Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Columbia Elementary School?
28.2% of students at Columbia Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Madison). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 776
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 28.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Madison County
- Phone
- (256) 430-2751
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Madison City- District Enrollment
- 12,736
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,575
- District Rank
- #5 of 11
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 methodologyRelated reading
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