Average
#2413 of 3,813 schools in IL
Columbia Central School
Middle School · Steger SD 194
94 Richton Rd, Steger, IL 60475
Enrollment
592
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
5.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
592
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
5.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Steger
#1 of 2
public schools
Illinois middle schools
#456 of 684
In district
#1 of 3
Steger SD 194
Academic growth
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Columbia Central School
Columbia Central School is a middle school located in Steger, Illinois, within Will County. Situated at 94 Richton Road, the school serves students from fifth through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 592 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.2:1, Columbia Central offers personalized attention to its students.
The teaching staff comprises 39 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their students' education. According to MySchoolScout's data, the school ranks 4.8 out of 10 overall and is ranked at number 2486 among Illinois schools, placing it in the 35th percentile statewide. Academically, Columbia Central has a score of 3.1 out of 10, indicating there is room for improvement in test performance.
In ELA/Reading, 19% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, only 9% meet proficiency standards. Columbia Central School sits in a large suburban setting that offers a mix of residential and commercial areas. The community around the school is supportive, with families often engaged in local activities and events.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Columbia Central School — Students at Columbia Central School score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 12%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.2/10.
How Columbia Central School Compares
See how Columbia Central School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 11% (2019) to 7% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 15% (2022).
Location
94 Richton Rd, Steger, IL 60475
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Columbia Central School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Lincoln Elem School (rated 9.4/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Chicago Heights), which scores notably higher. Another option is U S Grant Elem School (rated 8.9/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby South Chicago Heights), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Washington-McKinley Elem Sch (rated 8.7/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Chicago Heights), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Steger, see our Steger schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| FOUNDATIONS 4 ADVANCEMENT Steger | 0.7 mi | — |
| Steger Intermediate Center Steger | 0.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Crete Elementary School Crete | 1.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Steger Primary Center South Chicago Heights | 1.2 mi | 5.6 |
| ILLINOIS LUTHERAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Crete | 1.3 mi | 6.9 |
| MOTHER TERESA CATHOLIC ACADEMY Crete | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Crete-Monee Early Childhood Cntr Crete | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Crete-Monee High School Crete | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
| ILLINOIS LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL AND JUNIOR HIGH Crete | 1.7 mi | 7.6 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chicago Heights | 1.8 mi | 7.2 |
| U S Grant Elem School South Chicago Heights | 2.0 mi | 8.9 |
| FAITH MOVERS ACADEMY University Park | 1.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Garfield Elem School Chicago Heights | 2.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Balmoral Elem Sch Crete | 2.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Washington-McKinley Elem Sch Chicago Heights | 2.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Algonquin Primary Center Park Forest | 2.8 mi | 5.1 |
| ST AGNES SCHOOL Chicago Heights | 3.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Lincoln Elem School Chicago Heights | 3.1 mi | 9.4 |
| Barack Obama Sch of Ldership Chicago Heights | 2.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Wilson Elem School Chicago Heights | 3.1 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 60475 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,222
Median Home Value
$137,200
Median Rent
$1,032/mo
Population
10,103
College Educated
16.5%
Homeownership
62.3%
Avg Commute
32.4 min
Poverty Rate
14.4%
Median Age
40.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Columbia Central School has a median household income of $61,222. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $137,200, with a median rent of $1,032/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.4%. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Bentley Elem School New Lenox, IL | 5.8 |
| Chiddix Jr High School Normal, IL | 5.8 |
| Deer Path Middle Sch West Lake Forest, IL | 5.8 |
| Dunlap Valley Middle School Dunlap, IL | 5.8 |
| Gompers Junior High School Joliet, IL | 5.8 |
| Mt Zion Jr High School Mount Zion, IL | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Columbia Central School
What grades does Columbia Central School serve?
Columbia Central School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Columbia Central School?
Columbia Central School has an enrollment of approximately 592 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbia Central School?
The student-teacher ratio at Columbia Central School is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Columbia Central School rank in IL?
Columbia Central School is ranked #2413 out of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Columbia Central School's MySchoolScout rating?
Columbia Central 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 Central School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbia Central School has 9.0% math proficiency and 19.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Columbia Central School a charter school?
No, Columbia Central School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Columbia Central School a Title I school?
No, Columbia Central School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Columbia Central School?
80.7% of students at Columbia Central 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,078/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Steger). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 592
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 80.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Will County
- Phone
- (708) 753-4700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Steger SD 194- District Enrollment
- 1,439
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,216
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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