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Needs Improvement

#2032 of 2,268 schools in GA

Columbia Middle School

Middle School · DeKalb County

3001 Columbia Dr, Decatur, GA 30034

Enrollment

564

Student-Teacher

12.3:1

Score

3.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Georgia schools

#2,032 of 2,268

In Decatur

#36 of 40

public schools

In district

#104 of 131

DeKalb County

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Columbia Middle School

3.9/10

Middle School in Decatur · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Basix Knowledge Academy

6.7/10

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

Bob Mathis Elementary School

4.7/10

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

About Columbia Middle School

Columbia Middle School is a public middle school in Decatur, GA, part of DeKalb County. Columbia Middle School serves approximately 564 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Columbia Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #2,032 of 2,268 schools in GA.

Structured state assessment records for Columbia Middle School show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.9
  • GA avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

40% of students at Columbia Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-5.4 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5% (2024 GA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency19.6% (2024 GA)
Math vs. State Avg-34.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.2 pts
Overall Proficiency14% (2024 GA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)20% (model expectation from 2024 GA)
vs. Expected-6.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
Resources & Environment6.5Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,368
Chronic Absenteeism40.1%

Columbia Middle School — Students at Columbia Middle School score 14% 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 28.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.1% (2024 GA)
ELA Proficiency 42.1% (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
60%
ELA
84%
2010
Math
69%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
88%
2012
Math
63%
ELA
85%
2013
Math
63%
ELA
89%
2014
Math
13%
ELA
21%
2015
Math
16%
ELA
23%
2016
Math
14%
ELA
19%
2017
Math
13%
ELA
21%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
26%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
26%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
19%
2024
Math
7.5%
ELA
19.6%

* 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: 2.9/10.

How Columbia Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.9/10
10th percentile in GA
Academic
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.5/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
46 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
40.1%

Programs & Offerings

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

3001 Columbia Dr, Decatur, GA 30034

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbia Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Chapel Hill Middle School (rated 4.8/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cedar Grove Middle School (rated 3.5/10, 2.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Decatur, see our Decatur schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
BASIX KNOWLEDGE ACADEMY Decatur 0.2 mi 6.7
Bob Mathis Elementary School Decatur 0.9 mi 4.7
GREENFOREST MCCALEP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur 1.2 mi 6.9
HOKE MCNEAL ACADEMY Decatur 1.4 mi
Columbia Elementary School Decatur 1.6 mi 4.7
DeKalb Regional Youth Detention Center Decatur 1.3 mi
Oak View Elementary Decatur 1.5 mi 4.4
Southwest DeKalb High School Decatur 1.7 mi 5.3
Rainbow Elementary School Decatur 1.7 mi 4.8
Columbia High School Decatur 2.1 mi 4.0
Flat Shoals Elementary School Decatur 1.8 mi 4.4
Snapfinger Elementary School Decatur 2.4 mi 3.3
Kelley Lake Elementary School Decatur 2.2 mi 5.6
DeKalb Brilliance Academy Atlanta 2.2 mi 7.2
Toney Elementary School Decatur 2.5 mi 5.3
Chapel Hill Elementary School Decatur 2.4 mi 4.3
Narvie Harris Elementary School Decatur 2.6 mi 7.5
Canby Lane Elementary School Decatur 2.5 mi 4.5
Chapel Hill Middle School Decatur 2.5 mi 4.8
Cedar Grove Middle School Decatur 2.5 mi 3.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 30034 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,551

Median Home Value

$228,200

Median Rent

$1,427/mo

Population

41,823

College Educated

29.2%

Homeownership

69.8%

Avg Commute

35 min

Poverty Rate

14.7%

Median Age

42.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
KIPP WAYS Academy Charter School Atlanta, GA 3.9
Kennedy Road Middle School Griffin, GA 3.9
Mundys Mill Middle School Jonesboro, GA 3.9
Summerville Middle School Summerville, GA 3.9
Brooks County Middle School Quitman, GA 4.0
Coile Middle School Athens, GA 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbia Middle School

What grades does Columbia Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Columbia Middle School?

Columbia Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 564 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Columbia Middle School is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Columbia Middle School rank in GA?

Columbia Middle School ranks #2,032 of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is Columbia Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbia Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 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 Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Columbia Middle School has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Columbia Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Columbia Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at Columbia Middle 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
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
564
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
46
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
DeKalb County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
40.1%

District

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

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