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Average

#1412 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

5.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Decatur

#35 of 40

public schools

Georgia middle schools

#296 of 477

In district

#88 of 131

DeKalb County

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Columbia Middle School

Columbia Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Decatur, Georgia, within DeKalb County. The school serves students in grades six through eight and has an enrollment of 564 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12.3:1. With 46 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the school aims to provide personalized attention to each student.

Columbia Middle School's academic performance currently sits at the lower end according to MySchoolScout ratings and state rankings. The school’s academic score is 1.6 out of 10, placing it in the 14th percentile among all Georgia schools. In terms of subject proficiency, only 19% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 8% meet proficiency standards in Math.

Despite these challenges, Columbia Middle School is committed to supporting its students' development and academic growth. The school is situated in a large suburban area, offering a variety of resources and opportunities for both students and families.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.92 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics3.3Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency19.6%
Math vs. State Avg-34.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.2 pts
Overall Proficiency14%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected-6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,594

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 8.0%
School
State
42.1%
ELA Proficiency 19.2%
School
State
41.8%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
12%
ELA
26%
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: 5.8/10.

How Columbia Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
38th percentile in GA
Academic
3.3/10
3.3/10
Growth
5.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
46 teachers

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 6.0/10, 2.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Cedar Grove Middle School (rated 5.3/10, 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 6.4
GREENFOREST MCCALEP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur 1.2 mi 6.9
HOKE MCNEAL ACADEMY Decatur 1.4 mi
Columbia Elementary School Decatur 1.6 mi 5.9
DeKalb Regional Youth Detention Center Decatur 1.3 mi
Oak View Elementary Decatur 1.5 mi 6.0
Southwest DeKalb High School Decatur 1.7 mi 7.4
Rainbow Elementary School Decatur 1.7 mi 5.7
Columbia High School Decatur 2.1 mi 6.5
Flat Shoals Elementary School Decatur 1.8 mi 6.8
Snapfinger Elementary School Decatur 2.4 mi 7.2
Kelley Lake Elementary School Decatur 2.2 mi 8.5
DeKalb Brilliance Academy Atlanta 2.2 mi 7.3
Toney Elementary School Decatur 2.5 mi 7.6
Chapel Hill Elementary School Decatur 2.4 mi 5.8
Narvie Harris Elementary School Decatur 2.6 mi 7.3
Canby Lane Elementary School Decatur 2.5 mi 7.2
Chapel Hill Middle School Decatur 2.5 mi 6.0
Cedar Grove Middle School Decatur 2.5 mi 5.3

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Columbia Middle School has a median household income of $60,551. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $228,200, with a median rent of $1,427/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Glenn Hills Middle School Augusta, GA 5.8
KIPP South Fulton Academy School Atlanta, GA 5.8
Mundys Mill Middle School Jonesboro, GA 5.8
Toombs County Middle School Lyons, GA 5.8
Westside Middle School Winder, GA 5.8
Hubert Middle School Savannah, GA 5.7

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 is ranked #1412 out of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is Columbia Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbia Middle School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbia Middle School has 8.0% math proficiency and 19.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (2,405/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

DeKalb County
District Enrollment
91,398
Schools in District
131
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,368
District Rank
#88 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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