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Below Average

#1890 of 1,986 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

4.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Columbia Heights

#8 of 9

public schools

Minnesota middle schools

#248 of 280

In district

#5 of 6

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST

About Columbia Academy

Columbia Academy is a regular public middle school located in Columbia Heights, Minnesota. The school serves students in grades six through eight and has an enrollment of 715 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 19.9:1, the school aims to provide individualized attention to its students.

There are 36 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting the academic needs of the middle schoolers. Columbia Academy's MySchoolScout rating is 3.4 out of 10, and it ranks at #1837 out of 2027 schools in Minnesota according to state rankings (9th percentile). The academic performance score is 2.0 out of 10, with only 29% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 17% proficiency or above in Math across all grades.

Despite these numbers, the school continues to focus on student development and improvement. Columbia Academy is situated in a large suburban area that offers a variety of community resources and activities for students. The setting provides a supportive environment where middle schoolers can engage with their peers and participate in extracurricular activities while benefiting from the nearby amenities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.3Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected-3.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
Resources & Environment3.7Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,723

Columbia Academy — Students at Columbia Academy score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

81.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 17.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 28.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
28%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
24%
2022
Math
14%
ELA
25%

* 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: 4.3/10.

How Columbia Academy Compares

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

Overall Score
4.0/10
5th percentile in MN
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
4.3/10
Below average
Environment
3.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
81%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

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 Middle (rated 8.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Prodeo Columbia Heights Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Prodeo Columbia Heights Primary (rated 7.9/10, 1.0 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 6.7
LITTLE VOYAGEURS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia Heights 0.4 mi
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS SENIOR HIGH Columbia Heights 0.5 mi 3.9
Anchor Columbia Heights 0.5 mi
Columbia Heights Transition Program Columbia Heights 0.5 mi
EARLY CHILDHOOD Columbia Heights 0.5 mi 7.3
Virtual Heights Secondary Columbia Heights 0.5 mi
HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY Columbia Heights 0.6 mi 5.7
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL Columbia Heights 1.0 mi 6.6
North Park School for Innovation Fridley 1.0 mi 6.0
Prodeo Columbia Heights Primary Columbia Heights 1.0 mi 7.9
Prodeo Columbia Heights Elementary Columbia Heights 1.0 mi 8.2
Prodeo Columbia Heights Middle Columbia Heights 1.0 mi 8.4
Bultum Academy Columbia Heights 1.2 mi 7.9
FRIDLEY SENIOR HIGH Fridley 1.4 mi 5.9
TRANSITIONS SCHOOL Fridley 1.4 mi
Early Childhood Special Education S Fridley 1.6 mi
Voluntary Prekindergarten School Fridley 1.6 mi 5.4
GLOBAL ACADEMY New Brighton 1.2 mi 6.0

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Columbia Academy has a median household income of $75,141. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $260,500, with a median rent of $1,281/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.4%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Albany Area Middle School Albany, MN 4.0
CAMBRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Cambridge, MN 4.1
PEQUOT LAKES MIDDLE Pequot Lakes, MN 4.1
PLYMOUTH MIDDLE Plymouth, MN 4.1
SALK MIDDLE SCHOOL Elk River, MN 4.1
Dakota Meadows Middle School North Mankato, MN 3.8

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 is ranked #1890 out of 1,986 schools in MN.

What is Columbia Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbia Academy has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbia Academy has 17.3% math proficiency and 28.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,515/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST
District Enrollment
3,420
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,617
District Rank
#5 of 6

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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