Average
#788 of 1,356 schools in AL
Houston County High School
High School · Houston County
200 W Church St, Columbia, AL 36319
Enrollment
336
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
6.3
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
336
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
6.3
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Alabama high schools
#62 of 308
In district
#6 of 13
Houston County
About Houston County High School
Houston County High School is a regular public high school located in Columbia, Alabama, in the rural setting of Houston County. The school serves students from seventh through twelfth grade, with an enrollment of 336 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.8 to 1, ensuring a relatively personalized learning environment. The school is staffed by 20 full-time equivalent teachers, dedicated to supporting students through their academic journey.
Houston County High School’s academic performance, as measured by the MySchoolScout rating, stands at 5.4 out of 10, placing it in the 49th percentile among Alabama schools. Specifically, 42% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 17% are proficient or above in Math, indicating areas where the school is focusing on student development. The school is part of a community with a median household income of $59,375 and a median home value of $144,000, where 13% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The neighborhood has a relatively low poverty rate of 10.4%, contributing to a stable and supportive environment for students. Houston County High School is nestled in a rural area, providing a close-knit community atmosphere for its students.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Houston County High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Houston County High School — Students at Houston County High School score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81%
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: 4.5/10.
How Houston County High School Compares
See how Houston County High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
200 W Church St, Columbia, AL 36319
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Houston County High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Early County High School (rated 5.9/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Blakely), with a comparable rating. Another option is Ashford High School (rated 5.0/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Ashford), a more accessible option. Additionally, Dothan High School (rated 5.0/10, 15.9 miles away, in nearby Dothan), a more accessible option. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Webb Elementary School Webb | 9.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Ashford High School Ashford | 10.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Ashford Middle School Ashford | 10.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Ashford Elementary School Ashford | 10.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Early County Elementary School Blakely | 10.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Early County High School Blakely | 11.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Early County Middle School Blakely | 11.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Headland Elementary School Headland | 13.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Headland High School Headland | 13.9 mi | 3.6 |
| Headland Middle School Headland | 14.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Hidden Lake Primary School Dothan | 15.5 mi | 8.9 |
| Beverlye Intermediate School Dothan | 15.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Faine Elementary School Dothan | 15.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Carver 9th Grade Academy Dothan | 16.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Dothan High School Dothan | 15.9 mi | 5.0 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Dothan | 16.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Morris Slingluff Elementary School Dothan | 16.8 mi | 6.8 |
| NEW DAY ACADEMY Dothan | 17.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Dothan Preparatory Academy Dothan | 17.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Dothan City Virtual School Dothan | 17.6 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 36319 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,845
Median Home Value
$165,800
Median Rent
$766/mo
Population
2,406
College Educated
12.3%
Homeownership
80.8%
Avg Commute
26.3 min
Poverty Rate
11.8%
Median Age
39.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Houston County High School has a median household income of $61,845. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $165,800, with a median rent of $766/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Abbeville High School Abbeville, AL | 6.3 |
| Central High School Rockford, AL | 6.3 |
| Red Bay High School Red Bay, AL | 6.3 |
| ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Fairhope, AL | 6.2 |
| Acceleration Day and Evening Academy Mobile, AL | 6.4 |
| Cold Springs High School Bremen, AL | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Houston County High School
What grades does Houston County High School serve?
Houston County High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Houston County High School?
Houston County High School has an enrollment of approximately 336 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Houston County High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Houston County 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 Houston County High School rank in AL?
Houston County High School is ranked #788 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Houston County High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Houston County High School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Houston County High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Houston County High School has 23.8% math proficiency and 35.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Houston County High School a charter school?
No, Houston County High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Houston County High School a Title I school?
No, Houston County High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Houston County High School?
81.0% of students at Houston County 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
- Elevated (711/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbia). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 336
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Houston County
- Phone
- (334) 696-2221
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Houston County- District Enrollment
- 6,993
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,971
- District Rank
- #6 of 13
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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