Needs Improvement
#1336 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
2.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
940
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
2.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Alabama schools
#1,336 of 1,356
In Huntsville
#47 of 47
public schools
In district
#43 of 43
Huntsville City
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Columbia High School
High School in Huntsville · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
St John Paul II Catholic High School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Horizon Elementary School
1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Columbia High School
Columbia High School is a public high school in Huntsville, AL, part of Huntsville City. Columbia High School serves approximately 940 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Columbia High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,336 of 1,356 schools in AL.
Structured state assessment records for Columbia High School show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 2.8 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.3
- AL avg 5.1
What Parents Should Know
42% of students at Columbia High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Columbia High School — Students at Columbia High School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
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 28 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: 2.2/10.
How Columbia High School Compares
See how Columbia High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 6.6/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Madison), which scores notably 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 | 9.3 |
| 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 | 6.6 |
| WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Huntsville | 2.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Rainbow Elementary School Madison | 2.7 mi | 8.7 |
| THE RILEY BEHAVIORAL AND EDUCATIONAL CENTER Huntsville | 2.6 mi | — |
| Discovery Middle School Madison | 2.7 mi | 7.7 |
| MidTown Elementary School Madison | 3.0 mi | 8.8 |
| 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 | 9.2 |
| Monrovia Elementary School Huntsville | 4.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Morris Elementary School Huntsville | 3.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Morris Middle School Huntsville | 3.7 mi | 6.9 |
| THE PINNACLE SCHOOL Huntsville | 3.8 mi | — |
| Columbia Elementary School Madison | 3.9 mi | 9.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Wenonah High School Birmingham, AL | 2.8 |
| Ben C Rain High School Mobile, AL | 2.7 |
| Jemison High School Jemison, AL | 2.9 |
| John L Leflore Magnet School Mobile, AL | 2.6 |
| Theodore High School Theodore, AL | 2.6 |
| Eufaula High School Eufaula, AL | 3.0 |
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 ranks #1,336 of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Columbia High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Columbia High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 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 High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Columbia High School has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 41.9%
- Phone
- (256) 428-7576
- 4-Year Graduation
- 77.0%
Resources & Links
District
Huntsville City- District Enrollment
- 23,649
- Schools in District
- 45
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,146
- District Rank
- #43 of 43
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