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#2748 of 9,533 schools in CA

Top 29% in state

Columbia Middle

Middle School · Sunnyvale

739 Morse Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94085

Enrollment

672

Student-Teacher

18.7:1

Score

7.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sunnyvale

#7 of 18

public schools

California middle schools

#352 of 1,349

In district

#4 of 10

Sunnyvale

School environment

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Columbia Middle

Columbia Middle is a regular public middle school located in Sunnyvale, California, nestled within the Santa Clara County area. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 672 students with a student-teacher ratio of 18.7:1. With 36 full-time equivalent teachers, Columbia Middle aims to provide a supportive educational environment for its diverse student body.

According to the MySchoolScout rating system, Columbia Middle scores a 5.8 out of 10 overall and ranks at #4253 among California’s schools in terms of state ranking. Academically, the school has an average score of 5.0/10, with 39% of students proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and Reading, and 26% proficient or above in Math. These scores suggest that while there is room for improvement, Columbia Middle is committed to student development and continuous academic growth.

Columbia Middle is situated in a mid-size city environment, providing its students with a mix of urban amenities and community resources. The school's setting offers opportunities for extracurricular activities and community engagement, enriching the educational experience beyond the classroom walls.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+0.08 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.8Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.5%
Math vs. State Avg-8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.4 pts
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected-19.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,971

Columbia Middle — Students at Columbia Middle score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 26.2%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 38.5%
School
State
46.6%

Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
25%
ELA
39%
2024
Math
26.4%
ELA
38.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.2/10.

How Columbia Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
71th percentile in CA
Academic
4.8/10
4.8/10
Growth
8.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

Location

739 Morse Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94085

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbia Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mission Early College High (rated 8.1/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Santa Clara), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Cumberland Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, RAINBOW MONTESSORI (rated 7.1/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Sunnyvale, see our Sunnyvale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Pacific Autism Center for Education - San Aleso Campus Sunnyvale 0.4 mi
Bishop Elementary Sunnyvale 0.5 mi 5.9
THE KING'S ACADEMY Sunnyvale 0.7 mi 4.9
RAINBOW MONTESSORI Sunnyvale 0.7 mi 7.1
San Miguel Elementary Sunnyvale 0.6 mi 6.9
Rainbow Montessori Sunnyvale 0.7 mi
Lakewood Elementary Sunnyvale 1.0 mi 6.2
Ellis Elementary Sunnyvale 1.7 mi 6.6
KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER Sunnyvale 1.5 mi
Helios School Sunnyvale 1.8 mi
Stratford School Washington Park Sunnyvale 1.7 mi
LITTLE TREE MONTESSORI Sunnyvale 1.8 mi
Braly Elementary Sunnyvale 2.0 mi 6.0
Fairwood Elementary Sunnyvale 1.6 mi 6.8
Vargas Elementary Sunnyvale 1.8 mi 6.5
Ponderosa Elementary Sunnyvale 2.2 mi 5.5
SUNNYVALE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sunnyvale 2.1 mi 6.2
Cumberland Elementary Sunnyvale 2.3 mi 7.6
Mission Early College High Santa Clara 2.1 mi 8.1
CHAMPION KINDER INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Sunnyvale 2.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 94085 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$183,563

Median Home Value

$1,534,500

Median Rent

$3,187/mo

Population

23,159

College Educated

62.2%

Homeownership

39.5%

Avg Commute

21.2 min

Poverty Rate

7.4%

Median Age

32.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Columbia Middle has a median household income of $183,563. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,534,500, with a median rent of $3,187/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Bartlett Middle Porterville, CA 7.3
Belvedere Middle Los Angeles, CA 7.3
Douglass Middle Woodland, CA 7.3
Earl Warren Middle Encinitas, CA 7.3
El Roble Intermediate Claremont, CA 7.3
Farb Middle San Diego, CA 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbia Middle

What grades does Columbia Middle serve?

Columbia Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Columbia Middle?

Columbia Middle has an enrollment of approximately 672 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbia Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Columbia Middle is 18.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Columbia Middle rank in CA?

Columbia Middle is ranked #2748 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Columbia Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbia Middle has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Columbia Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbia Middle has 26.2% math proficiency and 38.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Columbia Middle a charter school?

No, Columbia Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Columbia Middle a Title I school?

No, Columbia Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Columbia Middle?

40.3% of students at Columbia Middle 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
62 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
39 Some Transit
Bike Score
77 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,176/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sunnyvale). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
672
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Santa Clara County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Sunnyvale
District Enrollment
5,618
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$24,127
District Rank
#4 of 10

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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