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Average

#513 of 1,280 schools in IA

Top 40% in state

Columbus Community Junior High School

Middle School · Columbus Comm School District

1004 Colton St, Columbus Junction, IA 52738

Enrollment

97

Student-Teacher

24.2:1

Score

6.7

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Columbus Junction

#3 of 3

public schools

Iowa middle schools

#101 of 248

In district

#3 of 3

Columbus Comm School District

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Columbus Community Junior High School

Columbus Community Junior High School is a regular public middle school located in Columbus Junction, Iowa. Nestled in the heart of Louisa County along Colton Street, this rural setting offers students a close-knit community feel. The school serves 7th and 8th graders with an enrollment of 97 students, providing a student-teacher ratio of 24.2:1 to ensure individual attention.

Columbus Community Junior High has four full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering academic growth and development in their students. While the MySchoolScout rating is 5.4 out of 10, placing it at number 649 among Iowa's 1288 schools, there are clear areas for improvement. The school’s proficiency rates show a strong performance in science with 78% of students meeting or exceeding standards, while ELA and reading have 64% proficiency and math has 60%.

Despite these statistics, Columbus Community Junior High continues to focus on student development and academic support, aiming to help each child reach their full potential. The rural setting provides a supportive environment where teachers and community members work closely together for the benefit of the students.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 97 students, Columbus Community Junior High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

The student-teacher ratio at Columbus Community Junior High School is 24.2:1, 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.

Located in a rural area, Columbus Community Junior High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.6Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.81 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.8Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Math vs. State Avg-15.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.8 pts
Overall Proficiency62%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected+11.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
Resources & Environment1.9Significantly Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,306

Columbus Community Junior High School — Students at Columbus Community Junior High School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IA ISASP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 60.3%
School
State
73.9%
ELA Proficiency 64.3%
School
State
78.4%

Based on 11 test records from IA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
67.9%
ELA
70.2%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How Columbus Community Junior High School Compares

See how Columbus Community Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
60th percentile in IA
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
1.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

1004 Colton St, Columbus Junction, IA 52738

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbus Community Junior High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Washington Middle School (rated 7.1/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Washington), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Wapello Junior High School (rated 6.1/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Wapello), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Highland Middle School (rated 5.9/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Riverside), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Columbus Junction, see our Columbus Junction schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Columbus Community High School Columbus Junction 0.0 mi 8.1
Roundy Elementary School Columbus Junction 0.2 mi 7.2
Winfield Elementary School Winfield 10.6 mi 5.4
Winfield-Mt Union Jr-Sr High School Winfield 10.6 mi 4.9
Louisa-Muscatine Elementary Letts 8.7 mi 8.0
Louisa-Muscatine JR/SR High School Letts 8.9 mi 6.0
WACO Elementary School Crawfordsville 9.7 mi 5.8
Wapello Elementary School Wapello 10.9 mi 7.4
Wapello Senior High School Wapello 11.2 mi 6.8
Wapello Junior High School Wapello 11.2 mi 6.1
Morning Sun Elementary School Morning Sun 13.5 mi 8.0
Lone Tree Elementary School Lone Tree 15.1 mi 7.1
Lone Tree Middle-Senior High School Lone Tree 15.1 mi 5.8
Highland High School Riverside 13.2 mi 6.4
Highland Middle School Riverside 13.2 mi 5.9
Highland Elementary School Riverside 18.4 mi 7.1
WACO High School Wayland 17.2 mi 6.7
Lincoln Upper Elementary School Washington 16.7 mi 7.2
West Liberty Middle School West Liberty 21.8 mi 5.0
Washington Middle School Washington 16.8 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 52738 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,953

Median Home Value

$135,900

Median Rent

$635/mo

Population

3,389

College Educated

20.9%

Homeownership

84%

Avg Commute

25.2 min

Poverty Rate

11.6%

Median Age

37.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Columbus Community Junior High School has a median household income of $83,953. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $135,900, with a median rent of $635/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Lynnville-Sully Middle School Sully, IA 6.7
Nodaway Valley Middle School Fontanelle, IA 6.7
Pierson Middle School Pierson, IA 6.7
North-Linn Middle School Troy Mills, IA 6.8
West Lyon Junior High School Inwood, IA 6.6
Graettinger-Terril Middle School Graettinger, IA 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbus Community Junior High School

What grades does Columbus Community Junior High School serve?

Columbus Community Junior High School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Columbus Community Junior High School?

Columbus Community Junior High School has an enrollment of approximately 97 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbus Community Junior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Columbus Community Junior High School is 24.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Columbus Community Junior High School rank in IA?

Columbus Community Junior High School is ranked #513 out of 1,280 schools in IA.

What is Columbus Community Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbus Community Junior High School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Columbus Community Junior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbus Community Junior High School has 60.3% math proficiency and 64.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Columbus Community Junior High School a charter school?

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

Is Columbus Community Junior High School a Title I school?

No, Columbus Community Junior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Columbus Community Junior High School?

72.2% of students at Columbus Community Junior 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
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (514/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
97
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Louisa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Columbus Comm School District
District Enrollment
686
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,780
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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