Below Average
#1720 of 1,992 schools in MN
Columbia Academy
Middle School · COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST
900 49TH AVE NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
Enrollment
715
Student-Teacher
19.9:1
Score
4.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
715
Student-Teacher
19.9:1
Score
4.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Minnesota schools
#1,720 of 1,992
In Columbia Heights
#6 of 9
public schools
In district
#3 of 6
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST
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Columbia Academy
Middle School in Columbia Heights · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Columbia Academy Anchor Program
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Valley View Elementary
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Columbia Academy
Columbia Academy is a public middle school in Columbia Heights, MN, part of COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST. Columbia Academy serves approximately 715 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 19.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Columbia Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,720 of 1,992 schools in MN.
Structured state assessment records for Columbia Academy show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.6 · Below Average
- MN avg 5.8
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Columbia Academy sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
40% of students at Columbia Academy 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 Academy — Students at Columbia Academy score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 test records from MN 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: 6.2/10.
How Columbia Academy Compares
See how Columbia Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
900 49TH AVE NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Columbia Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Prodeo Columbia Heights Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Prodeo Columbia Heights Middle (rated 7.8/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bultum Academy (rated 7.1/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia Heights, see our Columbia Heights schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia Academy Anchor Program Columbia Heights | 0.0 mi | — |
| VALLEY VIEW ELEMENTARY Columbia Heights | 0.1 mi | 2.8 |
| LITTLE VOYAGEURS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia Heights | 0.4 mi | — |
| COLUMBIA HEIGHTS SENIOR HIGH Columbia Heights | 0.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Anchor Columbia Heights | 0.5 mi | — |
| Columbia Heights Transition Program Columbia Heights | 0.5 mi | — |
| EARLY CHILDHOOD Columbia Heights | 0.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Virtual Heights Secondary Columbia Heights | 0.5 mi | — |
| HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY Columbia Heights | 0.6 mi | 3.7 |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL Columbia Heights | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| North Park School for Innovation Fridley | 1.0 mi | 2.9 |
| Prodeo Columbia Heights Primary Columbia Heights | 1.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Prodeo Columbia Heights Elementary Columbia Heights | 1.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Prodeo Columbia Heights Middle Columbia Heights | 1.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Bultum Academy Columbia Heights | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| FRIDLEY SENIOR HIGH Fridley | 1.4 mi | 5.7 |
| TRANSITIONS SCHOOL Fridley | 1.4 mi | — |
| Early Childhood Special Education S Fridley | 1.6 mi | — |
| Voluntary Prekindergarten School Fridley | 1.6 mi | 4.1 |
| GLOBAL ACADEMY New Brighton | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 55421 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,141
Median Home Value
$260,500
Median Rent
$1,281/mo
Population
31,051
College Educated
34.3%
Homeownership
60.4%
Avg Commute
22.9 min
Poverty Rate
12.4%
Median Age
36.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ELLIS MIDDLE Austin, MN | 4.6 |
| SKYVIEW COMMUNITY MIDDLE Oakdale, MN | 4.6 |
| Twin Bluff School Red Wing, MN | 4.6 |
| VANDENBERGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Elk River, MN | 4.6 |
| KELLOGG MIDDLE Rochester, MN | 4.5 |
| PARK RAPIDS AREA CENTURY MIDDLE Park Rapids, MN | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Columbia Academy
What grades does Columbia Academy serve?
Columbia Academy serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Columbia Academy?
Columbia Academy has an enrollment of approximately 715 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbia Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Columbia Academy is 19.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Columbia Academy rank in MN?
Columbia Academy ranks #1,720 of 1,992 schools in MN.
What is Columbia Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Columbia Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Columbia Academy has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Columbia Academy a charter school?
No, Columbia Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Columbia Academy a Title I school?
No, Columbia Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Columbia Academy?
81.3% of students at Columbia Academy 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 715
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Anoka County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 39.6%
- Phone
- (763) 528-4701
Resources & Links
District
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST- District Enrollment
- 3,420
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,617
- District Rank
- #3 of 6
Other Schools in This District
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