Very Good
#2835 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 30% in state
Columbia Elementary
Elementary School · Columbia Union
22540 Parrotts Ferry Rd., Columbia, CA 95310
Enrollment
450
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
450
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
California elementary schools
#1,901 of 5,817
School environment
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Columbia Elementary
Columbia Elementary, nestled in the heart of Columbia, California, is a regular public elementary school serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 450 students and a student-teacher ratio of 18:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment with 25 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their pupils' education. Columbia Elementary's academic performance places it in the 53rd percentile among California schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 5.3 out of 10.
The school's test scores show that 38% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 30% reach proficiency or better in Math. These figures indicate areas for academic growth but also highlight the school’s focus on student development and individualized support. The school is set in a rural area near the charming town of Columbia, offering its students plenty of natural surroundings to explore and learn from.
Whether it's through field trips to local landmarks or outdoor education programs, Columbia Elementary benefits greatly from its unique setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Columbia Elementary 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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Columbia Elementary — Students at Columbia Elementary score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 18 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.8/10.
How Columbia Elementary Compares
See how Columbia Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 32% (2019) to 31.15% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 37.69% (2024).
Location
22540 Parrotts Ferry Rd., Columbia, CA 95310
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Columbia Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Belleview Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Sonora), which scores notably higher. Another option is Albert A. Michelson Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Avery), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jamestown Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Jamestown), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sonora High Sonora | 3.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Mother Lode Adventist Junior Academy Sonora | 3.4 mi | — |
| MOTHER LODE ADVENTIST JR ACADEMY Sonora | 3.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Tuolumne County Community/ISP Sonora | 3.7 mi | — |
| Tuolumne County Special Education Sonora | 3.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Dario Cassina High Sonora | 3.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Theodore Bird High Sonora | 3.7 mi | 3.2 |
| Sonora Elementary Sonora | 4.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Gold Ridge Educational Center Sonora | 4.8 mi | — |
| Jamestown Elementary Jamestown | 5.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Sierra Waldorf School Jamestown | 5.1 mi | — |
| SIERRA WALDORF SCHOOL Jamestown | 5.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Vance Elementary School Jamestown | 5.8 mi | — |
| Albert A. Michelson Elementary Avery | 7.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Safari Learning Academy Sonora | 7.0 mi | — |
| SAFARI LEARNING ACADEMY Sonora | 7.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Curtis Creek Elementary Sonora | 7.1 mi | 3.7 |
| Gold Rush Home Study Charter Sonora | 6.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Libertas Academy -a Christian Family Learning Center Angels Camp | 6.9 mi | — |
| Belleview Elementary Sonora | 7.3 mi | 9.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 95310 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,639
Median Home Value
$448,800
Median Rent
$1,015/mo
Population
1,783
College Educated
24.9%
Homeownership
71.3%
Poverty Rate
17.4%
Median Age
45.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Columbia Elementary has a median household income of $57,639. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $448,800, with a median rent of $1,015/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.4%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ALMADEN COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL San Jose, CA | 7.2 |
| Agnes Ware Stanley Elementary Garden Grove, CA | 7.2 |
| Alta Vista Elementary Los Gatos, CA | 7.2 |
| Alturas Elementary Alturas, CA | 7.2 |
| Ambler Avenue Elementary Carson, CA | 7.2 |
| Anderson (Linford L.) Elementary Dixon, CA | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Columbia Elementary
What grades does Columbia Elementary serve?
Columbia Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Columbia Elementary?
Columbia Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 450 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbia Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Columbia Elementary is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Columbia Elementary rank in CA?
Columbia Elementary is ranked #2835 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Columbia Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Columbia Elementary has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbia Elementary has 30.3% math proficiency and 37.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Columbia Elementary a charter school?
No, Columbia Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Columbia Elementary a Title I school?
No, Columbia Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Columbia Elementary?
54.7% of students at Columbia Elementary 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 450
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Tuolumne County
- Phone
- (209) 533-7700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Columbia Union- District Enrollment
- 453
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,023
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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