Below Average
#3487 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
4.1
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
592
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
4.1
Grades
5th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Illinois schools
#3,487 of 3,813
In Steger
#1 of 2
public schools
In district
#1 of 3
Steger SD 194
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Columbia Central School
Middle School in Steger · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Foundations 4 Advancement
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Steger Intermediate Center
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Columbia Central School
Columbia Central School is a public middle school in Steger, IL, part of Steger SD 194. Columbia Central School serves approximately 592 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Columbia Central School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #3,487 of 3,813 schools in IL.
Structured state assessment records for Columbia Central School show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.1 · Below Average
- IL avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
36% of students at Columbia Central 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 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 26 test records from IL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.3/10.
How Columbia Central School Compares
See how Columbia Central School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 8.7/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Chicago Heights), which scores notably higher. Another option is ILLINOIS LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL AND JUNIOR HIGH (rated 7.6/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Crete), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Crete-Monee High School (rated 7.4/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Crete), 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 | 3.5 |
| Crete Elementary School Crete | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Steger Primary Center South Chicago Heights | 1.2 mi | 2.6 |
| 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 | 7.3 |
| Crete-Monee High School Crete | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| 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 | 6.3 |
| FAITH MOVERS ACADEMY University Park | 1.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Garfield Elem School Chicago Heights | 2.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Balmoral Elem Sch Crete | 2.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Washington-McKinley Elem Sch Chicago Heights | 2.9 mi | 6.6 |
| 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 | 8.7 |
| Barack Obama Sch of Ldership Chicago Heights | 2.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Wilson Elem School Chicago Heights | 3.1 mi | 5.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Geneseo Middle School Geneseo, IL | 4.1 |
| Glenwood Intermediate Sch Chatham, IL | 4.1 |
| Tefft Middle School Streamwood, IL | 4.1 |
| Brooks Middle School Harvey, IL | 4.0 |
| Carbondale Middle School Carbondale, IL | 4.0 |
| Harvard Jr High School Harvard, IL | 4.0 |
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 ranks #3,487 of 3,813 schools in IL.
What is Columbia Central School's MySchoolScout rating?
Columbia Central School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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 Central School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Columbia Central School has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 35.5%
- Phone
- (708) 753-4700
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
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