Below Average
#1221 of 1,356 schools in AL
Columbia High School
High School · Huntsville City
300 Explorer Boulevard, Huntsville, AL 35806
Enrollment
940
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
940
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Huntsville
#43 of 47
public schools
Alabama high schools
#227 of 308
In district
#40 of 43
Huntsville City
School environment
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Columbia High School
Columbia High School serves 940 students in grades 9-12 on Explorer Boulevard in Huntsville, Alabama. With 56 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.8:1, providing reasonable class sizes for individual attention. The school is working to strengthen its academic outcomes, with room for growth in both English language arts and mathematics.
Currently, 22% of students demonstrate proficiency in ELA/reading, while 12% show proficiency in math across grade levels. These results reflect the school's focus on supporting student development and improving educational outcomes. Columbia High School serves a diverse community in the 35806 ZIP code area, where families demonstrate strong educational values with 59% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The neighborhood shows economic stability with a median household income of $75,637 and median home values of $286,600, while maintaining a relatively low poverty rate of 10.1%. Located in Huntsville, a mid-size city known for its technology and aerospace industries, Columbia High School operates within a community that values education and innovation, providing students with exposure to a professional environment that emphasizes science, technology, and academic achievement.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Columbia High School — Students at Columbia High School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.7/10.
How Columbia High School Compares
See how Columbia High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 22% (2022).
Location
300 Explorer Boulevard, Huntsville, AL 35806
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Columbia High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ST JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bob Jones High School (rated 5.0/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Madison), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Huntsville, see our Huntsville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Huntsville | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Horizon Elementary School Madison | 1.5 mi | 8.4 |
| HUNTSVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Huntsville | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
| KLA SCHOOLS OF HUNTSVILLE Huntsville | 2.4 mi | — |
| Providence Elementary Huntsville | 2.6 mi | 6.2 |
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC SCHOOL Madison | 2.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Bob Jones High School Madison | 2.5 mi | 5.0 |
| WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Huntsville | 2.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Rainbow Elementary School Madison | 2.7 mi | 6.9 |
| THE RILEY BEHAVIORAL AND EDUCATIONAL CENTER Huntsville | 2.6 mi | — |
| Discovery Middle School Madison | 2.7 mi | 6.2 |
| MidTown Elementary School Madison | 3.0 mi | 6.8 |
| OAKWOOD ADVENTIST ACADEMY Huntsville | 3.3 mi | 6.7 |
| ISLAMIC ACADEMY OF HUNTSVILLE IAH Huntsville | 3.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Madison Elementary School Madison | 3.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Monrovia Elementary School Huntsville | 4.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Morris Elementary School Huntsville | 3.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Morris Middle School Huntsville | 3.7 mi | 6.8 |
| THE PINNACLE SCHOOL Huntsville | 3.8 mi | — |
| Columbia Elementary School Madison | 3.9 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 35806 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$79,338
Median Home Value
$318,800
Median Rent
$1,287/mo
Population
28,443
College Educated
60.5%
Homeownership
48.5%
Avg Commute
18.3 min
Poverty Rate
10.7%
Median Age
31.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Columbia High School has a median household income of $79,338. It is a well-educated community where 61% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $318,800, with a median rent of $1,287/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Eufaula High School Eufaula, AL | 4.5 |
| Florence High School Florence, AL | 4.5 |
| Leeds High School Leeds, AL | 4.5 |
| Southside High School Southside, AL | 4.5 |
| Wetumpka High School Wetumpka, AL | 4.5 |
| Ardmore High School Ardmore, AL | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Columbia High School
What grades does Columbia High School serve?
Columbia High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Columbia High School?
Columbia High School has an enrollment of approximately 940 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbia High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Columbia High School is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Columbia High School rank in AL?
Columbia High School is ranked #1221 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Columbia High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Columbia High School has a composite rating of 4.5 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 High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbia High School has 17.0% math proficiency and 22.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Columbia High School a charter school?
No, Columbia High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Columbia High School a Title I school?
No, Columbia High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Columbia High School?
49.9% of students at Columbia High 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
- City Safety
- High (2,879/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Huntsville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 940
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 56
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 49.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Madison County
- Phone
- (256) 428-7576
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Huntsville City- District Enrollment
- 23,649
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,146
- District Rank
- #40 of 43
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.