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Needs Improvement

#833 of 863 schools in MS

Columbus High School

High School · COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST

215 Hemlock Street, Columbus, MS 39702

Enrollment

937

Student-Teacher

15.9:1

Score

3.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Mississippi schools

#833 of 863

In Columbus

#13 of 13

public schools

In district

#7 of 7

COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST

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Columbus High School

3.1/10

High School in Columbus · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Annunciation Catholic School

7.0/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Fairview Elementary School

4.3/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Columbus High School

Columbus High School is a public high school in Columbus, MS, part of COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST. Columbus High School serves approximately 937 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Columbus High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #833 of 863 schools in MS.

Structured state assessment records for Columbus High School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.9 pts below MS schools
  • This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
  • MS avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

46% of students at Columbus High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.5Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-2.11 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38.5% (2025 MAAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17.9% (2025 MAAP)
Math vs. State Avg-28.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-31.6 pts
Overall Proficiency28% (2025 MAAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 MAAP)
vs. Expected-11.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College Readiness2.7Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate83%
AP Participation0.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,944
Chronic Absenteeism46.1%

Columbus High School — Students at Columbus High School score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MS MAAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 31.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.0% (2025 MAAP)
ELA Proficiency 27.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
49.5% (2025 MAAP)

Based on 32 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
51%
ELA
31%
2010
Math
69%
ELA
54%
2011
Math
41%
ELA
42%
2012
Math
64%
ELA
48%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
40%
2014
Math
6%
ELA
28%
2015
Math
12%
ELA
20%
2016
Math
16%
ELA
10%
2017
Math
23%
ELA
17%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
25%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
25%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
16%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
16%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
25%
2025
Math
38.5%
ELA
17.9%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How Columbus High School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.1/10
4th percentile in MS
Academic
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.2
Sports
5
2 boys' · 3 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
59 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
46.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
0.4% participation·State avg: 2.2 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics5sports offered
2 boys'·3 girls'·8 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

215 Hemlock Street, Columbus, MS 39702

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbus High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. MS SCHOOL FOR MATH AND SCIENCE (rated 8.2/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is NEW HOPE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 5.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CALEDONIA HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Caledonia), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbus, see our Columbus schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.5 mi
School Distance Rating
ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Columbus 0.6 mi 7.0
FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 0.8 mi 4.3
SALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 0.7 mi 3.7
STOKES BEARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 1.2 mi 4.3
MS SCHOOL FOR MATH AND SCIENCE Columbus 2.2 mi 8.2
COOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 2.5 mi 5.2
HERITAGE ACADEMY Columbus 2.6 mi 6.1
FRANKLIN ACADEMY Columbus 2.6 mi 4.3
COLUMBUS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Steens 4.4 mi 6.6
COLUMBUS MIDDLE SCHOOL Columbus 5.1 mi 3.8
NEW HOPE HIGH SCHOOL Columbus 5.3 mi 6.8
NEW HOPE MIDDLE SCHOOL Columbus 5.4 mi 7.1
NEW HOPE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 5.5 mi 6.8
WEST LOWNDES HIGH SCHOOL Columbus 6.9 mi 4.8
WEST LOWNDES ELEMENTARY Columbus 10.7 mi 4.7
CALEDONIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Caledonia 12.2 mi 7.6
CALEDONIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Caledonia 12.5 mi 7.5
CALEDONIA HIGH SCHOOL Caledonia 12.5 mi 6.6
HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL Hamilton 16.4 mi 6.7
WEST POINT HIGH SCHOOL West Point 15.5 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 39702 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,938

Median Home Value

$142,900

Median Rent

$868/mo

Population

23,536

College Educated

21.3%

Homeownership

66.8%

Avg Commute

22.4 min

Poverty Rate

14.9%

Median Age

37.2

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
LAWRENCE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Monticello, MS 3.0
SALTILLO HIGH SCHOOL Saltillo, MS 3.7
MURRAH HIGH SCHOOL Jackson, MS 3.8
GREENVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Greenville, MS 3.9
WINGFIELD HIGH SCHOOL Jackson, MS 4.0
CORINTH HIGH SCHOOL Corinth, MS 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbus High School

What grades does Columbus High School serve?

Columbus High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Columbus High School?

Columbus High School has an enrollment of approximately 937 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Columbus High School is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Columbus High School rank in MS?

Columbus High School ranks #833 of 863 schools in MS.

What is Columbus High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbus High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 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 Columbus High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Columbus High School has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Columbus High School a charter school?

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

Is Columbus High School a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at Columbus 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
22 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
937
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
59
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Lowndes County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
46.1%
4-Year Graduation
83.0%

District

COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST
District Enrollment
3,065
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,944
District Rank
#7 of 7

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