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Average

#1068 of 2,268 schools in GA

Top 47% in state

Columbia High School

High School · DeKalb County

2106 Columbia Dr, Decatur, GA 30032

Enrollment

909

Student-Teacher

13.6:1

Score

6.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Decatur

#28 of 40

public schools

Georgia high schools

#143 of 443

In district

#64 of 131

DeKalb County

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Columbia High School

Columbia High School serves 909 students in grades 9-12 in Decatur, Georgia, operating within DeKalb County's public school system. With 67 full-time teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1, providing opportunities for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school is currently focusing on student development, with room for academic growth as reflected in its state ranking of 1,975 out of 2,271 Georgia high schools.

Academic performance shows 14% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 18% reach proficiency in Mathematics. These figures indicate the school is working to strengthen its academic programs and support student achievement. Columbia High School draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $54,787 and median home value reaches $220,800.

The surrounding area has a 15.8% poverty rate, with 28% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a mix of educational backgrounds and economic circumstances that the school serves. Located on Columbia Drive, the school sits in a large suburban setting within a ZIP code area home to nearly 45,000 residents, providing students with access to the resources and opportunities available in the greater Decatur metropolitan area.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Columbia High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics4.0Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency14.5%
Math vs. State Avg-24.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27.3 pts
Overall Proficiency16%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected-3.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
College Readiness5.0Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation13.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,594

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 8.9%
School
State
42.1%
ELA Proficiency 16.1%
School
State
41.8%

Based on 8 test records from GA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
7%
ELA
15%
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: 9.2/10.

How Columbia High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
53th percentile in GA
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
8.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
67 teachers

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 7.6/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Avondale Estates), which scores notably higher. Another option is Southwest DeKalb High School (rated 7.4/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Towers High School (rated 4.4/10, 1.5 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 7.2
Columbia Elementary School Decatur 0.7 mi 5.9
GREENFOREST MCCALEP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur 1.0 mi 6.9
Peachcrest Elementary School Decatur 1.4 mi 6.7
Wadsworth Magnet School for High Achievers Decatur 1.4 mi 7.0
Towers High School Decatur 1.5 mi 4.4
Toney Elementary School Decatur 1.6 mi 7.6
BASIX KNOWLEDGE ACADEMY Decatur 2.0 mi 6.7
DeKalb Preparatory Academy Charter Decatur 1.9 mi 4.5
Columbia Middle School Decatur 2.1 mi 5.8
Canby Lane Elementary School Decatur 1.8 mi 7.2
Rainbow Elementary School Decatur 2.2 mi 5.7
Kelley Lake Elementary School Decatur 2.1 mi 8.5
DeKalb School of the Arts Avondale Estates 2.4 mi 7.6
Southwest DeKalb High School Decatur 2.4 mi 7.4
Flat Shoals Elementary School Decatur 2.4 mi 6.8
Bob Mathis Elementary School Decatur 2.7 mi 6.4
Rowland Elementary School Stone Mountain 2.6 mi 7.8
ST PETER CLAVER REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Decatur 2.4 mi 9.1
DeKalb Brilliance Academy Atlanta 2.6 mi 7.3

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Columbia High School has a median household income of $61,292. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $245,000, with a median rent of $1,364/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.5%. The average commute for residents is 33 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
Banks County High School Homer, GA 6.5
Adairsville High School Adairsville, GA 6.4
Armuchee High School Rome, GA 6.4
Brooks County High School Quitman, GA 6.6
Central High School Macon, GA 6.4
Emanuel County Institute Twin City, GA 6.4

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 is ranked #1068 out of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is Columbia High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbia High School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 8.9% math proficiency and 16.1% 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?

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

City Safety
High (2,405/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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