Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#795 of 863 schools in MS

Columbus Middle School

Middle School · COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST

175 Highway 373, Columbus, MS 39705

Enrollment

580

Student-Teacher

12.3:1

Score

3.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Mississippi schools

#795 of 863

In Columbus

#11 of 13

public schools

In district

#5 of 7

COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST

School environment

7.1 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Columbus Middle School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Columbus Middle School

3.8/10

Middle School in Columbus · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Heritage Academy

6.1/10

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

Cook Elementary School

5.2/10

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

About Columbus Middle School

Columbus Middle School is a public middle school in Columbus, MS, part of COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST. Columbus Middle School serves approximately 580 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Columbus Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #795 of 863 schools in MS.

Structured state assessment records for Columbus Middle School show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).

How it compares2.2 pts below MS schools
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • MS avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

36% of students at Columbus Middle 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 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.31 pts/yr
Data Period2010–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.5Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.8% (2025 MAAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency18.9% (2025 MAAP)
Math vs. State Avg-28.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27.6 pts
Overall Proficiency22% (2025 MAAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 MAAP)
vs. Expected-17.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,944
Chronic Absenteeism36.2%

Columbus Middle School — Students at Columbus Middle School score 22% 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 24.6% (multi-year average, 2010-2025)
School
State
52.2% (2025 MAAP)
ELA Proficiency 24.7% (multi-year average, 2010-2025)
School
State
41.8% (2025 MAAP)

Based on 33 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2010
Math
52%
ELA
45%
2011
Math
49%
ELA
50%
2012
Math
48%
ELA
45%
2013
Math
48%
ELA
48%
2014
Math
5%
ELA
13%
2015
Math
12%
ELA
16%
2016
Math
12%
ELA
19%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
20%
2018
Math
20%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
20%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
8%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
8%
ELA
15%
2022
Math
15%
ELA
18%
2025
Math
24.8%
ELA
18.9%

* 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: 2.9/10.

How Columbus Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.8/10
8th percentile in MS
Academic
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.1/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
47 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

175 Highway 373, Columbus, MS 39705

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbus Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. CALEDONIA MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Caledonia), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NEW HOPE MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 10.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbus, see our Columbus schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.4 mi
School Distance Rating
HERITAGE ACADEMY Columbus 2.9 mi 6.1
COOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 3.2 mi 5.2
FRANKLIN ACADEMY Columbus 4.6 mi 4.3
COLUMBUS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Steens 4.1 mi 6.6
STOKES BEARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 4.9 mi 4.3
MS SCHOOL FOR MATH AND SCIENCE Columbus 5.2 mi 8.2
COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL Columbus 5.1 mi 3.1
ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Columbus 5.5 mi 7.0
SALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 5.5 mi 3.7
FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 5.8 mi 4.3
WEST LOWNDES HIGH SCHOOL Columbus 6.9 mi 4.8
CALEDONIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Caledonia 9.9 mi 7.6
CALEDONIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Caledonia 10.2 mi 7.5
CALEDONIA HIGH SCHOOL Caledonia 10.2 mi 6.6
NEW HOPE HIGH SCHOOL Columbus 10.4 mi 6.8
NEW HOPE MIDDLE SCHOOL Columbus 10.5 mi 7.1
NEW HOPE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 10.6 mi 6.8
HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL Hamilton 12.4 mi 6.7
WEST LOWNDES ELEMENTARY Columbus 12.0 mi 4.7
WEST POINT HIGH SCHOOL West Point 11.4 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 39705 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,292

Median Home Value

$225,900

Median Rent

$1,046/mo

Population

12,195

College Educated

42%

Homeownership

62.9%

Avg Commute

16.3 min

Poverty Rate

9.3%

Median Age

36.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CORINTH MIDDLE SCHOOL Corinth, MS 3.9
CHASTAIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Jackson, MS 3.6
BYRAM MIDDLE SCHOOL Terry, MS 4.0
GEORGE COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL Lucedale, MS 4.0
BYHALIA MIDDLE SCHOOL (5-8) Byhalia, MS 4.1
NORTHEAST LAUDERDALE MIDDLE SCHOOL Meridain, MS 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbus Middle School

What grades does Columbus Middle School serve?

Columbus Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Columbus Middle School?

Columbus Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 580 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Columbus Middle School is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Columbus Middle School rank in MS?

Columbus Middle School ranks #795 of 863 schools in MS.

What is Columbus Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbus Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Columbus Middle School has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).

Is Columbus Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Columbus Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at Columbus Middle 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
8 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
580
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
47
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Lowndes County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.2%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

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.