Skip to main content

Below Average

#789 of 862 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

4.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Columbus

#12 of 12

public schools

Mississippi high schools

#186 of 196

In district

#7 of 7

COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST

Academic growth

7.4 / 10

Strong

About Columbus High School

Columbus High School serves 937 students in grades 9-12 in Columbus, Mississippi, with a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1 across 59 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks 751st out of 865 high schools statewide, placing it in the 13th percentile with room for academic growth. Current academic performance shows 25% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 32% meet proficiency standards in Mathematics.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10, Columbus High School is focusing on student development and has opportunities to strengthen academic outcomes across all grade levels. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $49,946 and median home values average $134,800. About 21% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 19.3% in the surrounding area.

Located on Hemlock Street, the school serves families throughout Lowndes County's ZIP code 39702, which has a population of approximately 23,500 residents. Columbus High School operates in Mississippi's remote town setting, providing education to students in a close-knit community environment where educators and families work together to support student success.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.93 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics5.1Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-3.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness1.3Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation0.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,239

Columbus High School — Students at Columbus High School score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

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 EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 19.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 22.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
17%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
16%
2022
Math
32%
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: 7.4/10.

How Columbus High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.4/10
9th percentile in MS
Academic
5.1/10
5.1/10
Growth
7.4/10
Above average
Environment
4.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
59 teachers

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 8.6/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CALEDONIA HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Caledonia), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WEST LOWNDES HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 6.9 miles away), 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 5.2
SALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 0.7 mi 6.9
STOKES BEARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 1.2 mi 5.5
MS SCHOOL FOR MATH AND SCIENCE Columbus 2.2 mi 8.6
COOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 2.5 mi 7.3
HERITAGE ACADEMY Columbus 2.6 mi 6.1
FRANKLIN ACADEMY Columbus 2.6 mi 6.2
COLUMBUS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Steens 4.4 mi 6.6
COLUMBUS MIDDLE SCHOOL Columbus 5.1 mi 5.5
NEW HOPE HIGH SCHOOL Columbus 5.3 mi 4.8
NEW HOPE MIDDLE SCHOOL Columbus 5.4 mi 5.7
NEW HOPE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 5.5 mi 5.5
WEST LOWNDES HIGH SCHOOL Columbus 6.9 mi 5.5
WEST LOWNDES ELEMENTARY Columbus 10.7 mi 6.3
CALEDONIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Caledonia 12.2 mi 7.5
CALEDONIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Caledonia 12.5 mi 6.8
CALEDONIA HIGH SCHOOL Caledonia 12.5 mi 6.6
HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL Hamilton 16.4 mi 4.9
WEST POINT HIGH SCHOOL West Point 15.5 mi 5.5

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Columbus High School has a median household income of $54,938. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $142,900, with a median rent of $868/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.9%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
LEAKE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Carthage, MS 4.4
PICAYUNE MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL Picayune, MS 4.3
CENTER HILL HIGH SCHOOL Olive Branch, MS 4.6
GRENADA HIGH Grenada, MS 4.6
LAUREL HIGH SCHOOL Laurel, MS 4.6
FLORENCE HIGH SCHOOL Florence, MS 4.2

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 is ranked #789 out of 862 schools in MS.

What is Columbus High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbus High School has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Columbus High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbus High School has 19.7% math proficiency and 22.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

County Safety
Average (634/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.