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Below Average

#2008 of 2,268 schools in GA

Columbia High School

High School · DeKalb County

2106 Columbia Dr, Decatur, GA 30032

Enrollment

909

Student-Teacher

13.6:1

Score

4.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Georgia schools

#2,008 of 2,268

In Decatur

#35 of 40

public schools

In district

#101 of 131

DeKalb County

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Columbia High School

4.0/10

High School in Decatur · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Snapfinger Elementary School

3.3/10

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

Columbia Elementary School

4.7/10

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

About Columbia High School

Columbia High School is a public high school in Decatur, GA, part of DeKalb County. Columbia High School serves approximately 909 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Columbia High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,008 of 2,268 schools in GA.

Structured state assessment records for Columbia High School show 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 4.0 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.1
  • GA avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

61% of students at Columbia High School 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.7 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.5% (2024 GA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency14.5% (2024 GA)
Math vs. State Avg-24.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27.3 pts
Overall Proficiency16% (2024 GA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)20% (model expectation from 2024 GA)
vs. Expected-4.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
College Readiness4.0Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate77%
AP Participation13.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,368
Chronic Absenteeism60.9%

Columbia High School — Students at Columbia High School score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 20.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.1% (2024 GA)
ELA Proficiency 40.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
41.8% (2024 GA)

Based on 30 test records from GA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
55%
ELA
86%
2010
Math
79%
ELA
88%
2011
Math
40%
ELA
80%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
84%
2013
Math
14%
ELA
84%
2014
Math
9%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
8%
ELA
21%
2016
Math
7%
ELA
30%
2017
Math
14%
ELA
21%
2018
Math
7%
ELA
15%
2019
Math
7%
ELA
15%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
6%
ELA
23%
2024
Math
17.5%
ELA
14.5%

* 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: 5.1/10.

How Columbia High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.0/10
12th percentile in GA
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.1/10
Average
Environment
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Sports
9
5 boys' · 4 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
67 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
60.9%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics9sports offered
5 boys'·4 girls'·15 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2106 Columbia Dr, Decatur, GA 30032

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbia High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. DeKalb School of the Arts (rated 9.2/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Avondale Estates), which scores notably higher. Another option is Southwest DeKalb High School (rated 5.3/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Towers High School (rated 3.7/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Decatur, see our Decatur schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Snapfinger Elementary School Decatur 0.3 mi 3.3
Columbia Elementary School Decatur 0.7 mi 4.7
GREENFOREST MCCALEP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur 1.0 mi 6.9
Peachcrest Elementary School Decatur 1.4 mi 6.5
Wadsworth Magnet School for High Achievers Decatur 1.4 mi 8.5
Towers High School Decatur 1.5 mi 3.7
Toney Elementary School Decatur 1.6 mi 5.3
BASIX KNOWLEDGE ACADEMY Decatur 2.0 mi 6.7
DeKalb Preparatory Academy Charter Decatur 1.9 mi 5.5
Columbia Middle School Decatur 2.1 mi 3.9
Canby Lane Elementary School Decatur 1.8 mi 4.5
Rainbow Elementary School Decatur 2.2 mi 4.8
Kelley Lake Elementary School Decatur 2.1 mi 5.6
DeKalb School of the Arts Avondale Estates 2.4 mi 9.2
Southwest DeKalb High School Decatur 2.4 mi 5.3
Flat Shoals Elementary School Decatur 2.4 mi 4.4
Bob Mathis Elementary School Decatur 2.7 mi 4.7
Rowland Elementary School Stone Mountain 2.6 mi 4.8
ST PETER CLAVER REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Decatur 2.4 mi 9.1
DeKalb Brilliance Academy Atlanta 2.6 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 30032 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,292

Median Home Value

$245,000

Median Rent

$1,364/mo

Population

42,812

College Educated

30%

Homeownership

57.8%

Avg Commute

32.8 min

Poverty Rate

16.5%

Median Age

39.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Laney High School Augusta, GA 4.0
International Transition Center Lawrenceville, GA 4.1
Peach County High School Fort Valley, GA 4.1
Perry Career Academy - Eula Wilburn Ponds Perry Center for Jonesboro, GA 4.1
Jordan Vocational High School Columbus, GA 3.9
Rutland High School Macon, GA 3.9

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 909 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Columbia High School is 13.6:1. 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 GA?

Columbia High School ranks #2,008 of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is Columbia High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbia High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Columbia High School has 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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?

100.0% 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
26 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
36 Some Transit
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
909
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
67
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
DeKalb County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
60.9%
4-Year Graduation
77.0%

District

DeKalb County
District Enrollment
91,398
Schools in District
131
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,368
District Rank
#101 of 131

How we rate schools

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