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Average

#609 of 862 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

5.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Mississippi middle schools

#111 of 183

In district

#5 of 7

COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST

School environment

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Columbus Middle School

Columbus Middle School is a regular public middle school in Columbus, Mississippi, serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 580 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.3:1, the school offers personalized attention in a community setting. Located at 175 Highway 373, it’s situated in a remote town with its own unique character.

Columbus Middle School focuses on supporting its diverse group of learners, providing them with the individualized care they need to thrive academically and socially. While the school currently ranks #778 out of 865 schools statewide based on MySchoolScout’s rating system, it is dedicated to continuous improvement and fostering a supportive environment for all students. In terms of academic performance, Columbus Middle School shows areas where growth can be targeted: only 18% of students are proficient in ELA/reading, and 21% are proficient in math.

Despite these challenges, the school remains committed to helping its students develop their skills and reach their full potential. Columbus Middle School is nestled in a small town that offers a tight-knit community feel, making it a place where students can build strong relationships with both peers and educators.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Columbus Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.03 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics2.6Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15%
Reading/ELA Proficiency18%
Math vs. State Avg-37.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22 pts
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-15.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,239

Columbus Middle School — Students at Columbus Middle School score 16% 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 MAAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 20.7%
School
State
55.2%
ELA Proficiency 18.3%
School
State
41.1%

Based on 12 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
20%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
8%
ELA
15%
2022
Math
15%
ELA
18%
2024
Math
27.1%
ELA
19.9%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Columbus Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
30th percentile in MS
Academic
2.6/10
2.6/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
47 teachers

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 6.8/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Caledonia), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NEW HOPE MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.7/10, 10.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 7.3
FRANKLIN ACADEMY Columbus 4.6 mi 6.2
COLUMBUS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Steens 4.1 mi 6.6
STOKES BEARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 4.9 mi 5.5
MS SCHOOL FOR MATH AND SCIENCE Columbus 5.2 mi 8.6
COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL Columbus 5.1 mi 4.4
ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Columbus 5.5 mi 7.0
SALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 5.5 mi 6.9
FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 5.8 mi 5.2
WEST LOWNDES HIGH SCHOOL Columbus 6.9 mi 5.5
CALEDONIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Caledonia 9.9 mi 7.5
CALEDONIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Caledonia 10.2 mi 6.8
CALEDONIA HIGH SCHOOL Caledonia 10.2 mi 6.6
NEW HOPE HIGH SCHOOL Columbus 10.4 mi 4.8
NEW HOPE MIDDLE SCHOOL Columbus 10.5 mi 5.7
NEW HOPE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 10.6 mi 5.5
HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL Hamilton 12.4 mi 4.9
WEST LOWNDES ELEMENTARY Columbus 12.0 mi 6.3
WEST POINT HIGH SCHOOL West Point 11.4 mi 5.5

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Columbus Middle School has a median household income of $69,292. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $225,900, with a median rent of $1,046/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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
BATESVILLE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Batesville, MS 5.5
CENTER HILL MIDDLE Olive Branch, MS 5.5
GEORGE COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL Lucedale, MS 5.5
PICAYUNE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Picayune, MS 5.5
CARDOZO MIDDLE SCHOOL Jackson, MS 5.4
DIBERVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Diberville, MS 5.4

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 is ranked #609 out of 862 schools in MS.

What is Columbus Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbus Middle School has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbus Middle School has 20.7% math proficiency and 18.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

County Safety
Average (634/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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

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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