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Excellent

#100 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 7% in state

Columbia Elementary School

Elementary School · Madison City

667 Balch Road, Madison, AL 35758

Enrollment

776

Student-Teacher

16.2:1

Score

9.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#100 of 1,356

In Madison

#5 of 12

public schools

In district

#5 of 11

Madison City

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Columbia Elementary School

9.0/10

Elementary School in Madison · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Madison Baptist Academy

6.7/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Liberty Middle School

7.7/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Columbia Elementary School

Columbia Elementary School is a public elementary school in Madison, AL, part of Madison City. Columbia Elementary School serves approximately 776 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Columbia Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #100 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Columbia Elementary School show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 9.0 · Excellent
  • District avg 9.1
  • AL avg 7.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.63 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.0Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency94.2% (2024 ACAP)
Reading vs. State Avg+11.4 pts
Overall Proficiency80% (2024 ACAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)66% (model expectation from 2024 ACAP)
vs. Expected+13.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,575
Chronic Absenteeism13.9%

Columbia Elementary School — Students at Columbia Elementary School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 77.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 82.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
86.9% (2024 ACAP)

Based on 30 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
89%
ELA
96%
2010
Math
93%
ELA
96%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
95%
2012
Math
93%
ELA
96%
2013
Math
80%
ELA
68%
2014
Math
76%
ELA
68%
2015
Math
85%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
81%
ELA
79%
2017
Math
76%
ELA
78%
2018
Math
76%
ELA
77%
2019
Math
76%
ELA
77%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
65%
ELA
76%
2024
ELA
94.2%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Columbia Elementary School Compares

See how Columbia Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.0/10
93th percentile in AL
Academic
9.0/10
Excellent
Growth
9.3/10
Excellent
Environment
8.1/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Mill Creek Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Horizon Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Heritage Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 7.7
Heritage Elementary School Madison 1.3 mi 9.2
Discovery Middle School Madison 1.4 mi 7.7
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Madison 1.5 mi 6.4
Bob Jones High School Madison 1.7 mi 6.6
MidTown Elementary School Madison 1.9 mi 8.8
Mill Creek Elementary School Madison 2.3 mi 9.3
Rainbow Elementary School Madison 2.2 mi 8.7
James Clemens High School Madison 2.4 mi 7.0
Madison Elementary School Madison 2.7 mi 9.2
Endeavor Elementary School Harvest 4.0 mi 8.3
Horizon Elementary School Madison 3.6 mi 9.3
Creekside Elementary School Harvest 4.3 mi 8.4
Creekside Primary School Harvest 4.3 mi 8.0
Legacy Elementary School Madison 4.4 mi 7.8
WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN ACAD - LOWER SCHOOL CAMPUS Madison 4.3 mi 7.5
Columbia High School Huntsville 3.9 mi 2.8
Monrovia Elementary School Huntsville 4.5 mi 8.6
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Crestline Elementary School Hartselle, AL 9.0
Green Valley Elementary School Hoover, AL 9.0
Inverness Elementary School Birmingham, AL 9.0
Jim Pearson Elementary School Alexander City, AL 9.0
John S Jones Elementary School Rainbow City, AL 9.0
Little Ridge Intermediate School Fort Payne, AL 9.0

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 ranks #100 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Columbia Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbia Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Columbia Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Columbia Elementary School has 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.9%

District

Madison City
District Enrollment
12,736
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,575
District Rank
#5 of 11

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