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Needs Improvement

#3646 of 3,777 schools in FL

Columbia High School

High School · COLUMBIA

469 SE FIGHTING TIGER DR, Lake City, FL 32025

Enrollment

1,727

Student-Teacher

22.7:1

Score

3.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lake City

#13 of 13

public schools

Florida high schools

#651 of 748

In district

#15 of 15

COLUMBIA

About Columbia High School

Columbia High School serves 1,727 students in grades 9-12 in Lake City, Florida, operating with 76 full-time equivalent teachers for a student-teacher ratio of 22.7 to 1. As a regular public school, Columbia High has room for academic growth, currently ranking in the 29th percentile among Florida high schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10. The school's academic performance shows 45% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels.

With its sizable enrollment, Columbia High provides a comprehensive high school experience while working to strengthen student outcomes and achievement levels. The school draws from a community where the median household income is $51,081 and median home values are $165,100. About 16% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 16.1% of families experience poverty.

This diverse economic landscape reflects the varying backgrounds and needs of the student population that Columbia High serves. Located on Southeast Fighting Tiger Drive, Columbia High School sits in the heart of Lake City, a town setting in Columbia County that provides students with both small-town community connections and access to educational opportunities in north-central Florida.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Columbia High School is 22.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.9Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.29 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28%
Reading/ELA Proficiency45%
Reading vs. State Avg-7.6 pts
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
College Readiness4.3Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation16.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.4Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,799

Columbia High School — Students at Columbia High School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 38.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 45.8%
School
State
52.7%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
48%
ELA
48%
2021*
Math
28%
ELA
45%
2024
ELA
45%

* 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: 1.9/10.

How Columbia High School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.6/10
4th percentile in FL
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
1.9/10
Below average
Environment
3.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
76 teachers

Location

469 SE FIGHTING TIGER DR, Lake City, FL 32025

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbia High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. NIBLACK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is COLUMBIA CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 5.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, EPIPHANY CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lake City, see our Lake City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.9 mi
School Distance Rating
CAMBRIDGE PREP ACADEMY Lake City 0.6 mi 8.1
COVENANT COMMUNITY SCHOOL Lake City 1.0 mi 6.6
EPIPHANY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lake City 1.1 mi 8.2
NEW GENERATION SCHOOL Lake City 1.4 mi 5.6
SUMMERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake City 1.7 mi 6.6
RICHARDSON SIXTH GRADE ACADEMY Lake City 2.3 mi 6.4
LAKE CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL Lake City 2.4 mi 6.0
MELROSE PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake City 2.6 mi 5.8
BEHAVIORAL LEARNING ACADEMY Lake City 2.7 mi
PREK ESE Lake City 2.8 mi
COLUMBIA VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM (DISTRICT PROVIDED) Lake City 2.9 mi
FAITH ACADEMY Lake City 2.6 mi
EASTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake City 3.1 mi 6.5
PATHWAYS ACADEMY Lake City 3.5 mi 6.2
NIBLACK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake City 3.7 mi 8.5
NORTH FLORIDA ARTS & SCIENCES ACADEMY Lake City 3.9 mi 6.4
WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake City 3.8 mi 7.5
FIVE POINTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake City 4.8 mi 5.7
BELMONT ACADEMY Lake City 5.8 mi 6.0
COLUMBIA CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake City 5.9 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 32025 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$47,074

Median Home Value

$184,900

Median Rent

$943/mo

Population

23,268

College Educated

16.4%

Homeownership

57.6%

Avg Commute

21.8 min

Poverty Rate

18.5%

Median Age

39.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Columbia High School has a median household income of $47,074. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $184,900, with a median rent of $943/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.5%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
BOOKER HIGH SCHOOL Sarasota, FL 3.6
BOYNTON BEACH COMMUNITY HIGH Boynton Beach, FL 3.6
COCONUT CREEK HIGH SCHOOL Coconut Creek, FL 3.6
TAVARES HIGH SCHOOL Tavares, FL 3.6
WESTLAND HIALEAH SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Hialeah, FL 3.6
ALONZO & TRACY MOURNING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Miami, FL 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbia High School

What grades does Columbia High School serve?

Columbia High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Columbia High School?

Columbia High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,727 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbia High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Columbia High School is 22.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Columbia High School rank in FL?

Columbia High School is ranked #3646 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Columbia High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbia High School has a composite rating of 3.6 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 High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbia High School has 38.0% math proficiency and 45.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Columbia High School a charter school?

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

Is Columbia High School a Title I school?

No, Columbia High School is not currently a Title I school.

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

58.3% of students at Columbia 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

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (868/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,727
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
76
Free/Reduced Lunch
58.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Columbia County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

COLUMBIA
District Enrollment
9,785
Schools in District
19
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,472
District Rank
#15 of 15

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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