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#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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.5Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.9 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected+4.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
College Readiness7.8Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,538

Houston County High School — Students at Houston County High School score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

81%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 23.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 35.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
42%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.3/10
42th percentile in AL
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
4.5/10
Below average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
81%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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