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Below Average

#8310 of 9,539 schools in CA

Columbia Elementary

Elementary School · Columbia Union

22540 Parrotts Ferry Rd., Columbia, CA 95310

Enrollment

450

Student-Teacher

18:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

California schools

#8,310 of 9,539

School environment

7.1 / 10

Very Good

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Columbia Elementary

4.2/10

Elementary School in Columbia · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Sonora High

6.0/10

3.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Mother Lode Adventist Junior Academy

Nearby

3.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Columbia Elementary

Columbia Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, CA, part of Columbia Union. Columbia Elementary serves approximately 450 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 18:1 student-teacher ratio. Columbia Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #8,310 of 9,539 schools in CA.

Structured state assessment records for Columbia Elementary show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.0 pts below CA schools
  • This school 4.2 · Below Average
  • CA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Columbia Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

39% of students at Columbia Elementary 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.3Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.75 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31.1% (2024 CAASPP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37.7% (2024 CAASPP)
Math vs. State Avg-14.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.1 pts
Overall Proficiency34% (2024 CAASPP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2024 CAASPP)
vs. Expected-9.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,023
Chronic Absenteeism38.9%

Columbia Elementary — Students at Columbia Elementary score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 37.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
36.8% (2024 CAASPP)
ELA Proficiency 43.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
45.8% (2024 CAASPP)

Based on 40 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
63%
ELA
65%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
63%
2011
Math
63%
ELA
65%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
69%
2014
Math
40%
ELA
40%
2015
Math
39%
ELA
46%
2016
Math
34%
ELA
43%
2017
Math
31%
ELA
36%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
41%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
41%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
31%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
31%
2022
Math
23%
ELA
37.5%
2024
Math
31.2%
ELA
38.3%

* 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: 2.3/10.

How Columbia Elementary Compares

See how Columbia Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
13th percentile in CA
Academic
5.6/10
Average
Growth
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.1/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.9%

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. Albert A. Michelson Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Avery), which scores notably higher. Another option is Belleview Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Sonora), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SAFARI LEARNING ACADEMY (rated 5.4/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Sonora), which scores notably higher. 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 6.0
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 4.3
Dario Cassina High Sonora 3.7 mi 5.7
Theodore Bird High Sonora 3.7 mi 5.5
Sonora Elementary Sonora 4.1 mi 5.2
Gold Ridge Educational Center Sonora 4.8 mi
Jamestown Elementary Jamestown 5.3 mi 4.4
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 7.2
Safari Learning Academy Sonora 7.0 mi
SAFARI LEARNING ACADEMY Sonora 7.0 mi 5.4
Curtis Creek Elementary Sonora 7.1 mi 4.7
Gold Rush Home Study Charter Sonora 6.9 mi 7.8
Libertas Academy -a Christian Family Learning Center Angels Camp 6.9 mi
Belleview Elementary Sonora 7.3 mi 5.8

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Allen at Steinbeck San Jose, CA 4.2
Alpine Elementary Littlerock, CA 4.2
Bahia Vista Elementary San Rafael, CA 4.2
Bay View Academy Monterey, CA 4.2
Bayside STEAM Academy Imperial Beach, CA 4.2
Bayview Elementary San Pablo, CA 4.2

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 ranks #8,310 of 9,539 schools in CA.

What is Columbia Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbia Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Columbia Elementary has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
55 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
38.9%

District

Columbia Union
District Enrollment
453
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,023
District Rank
#1 of 1

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