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#1278 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Columbia High School

High School · South Orange-Maplewood School District

17 PARKER AVE, Maplewood, NJ 07040

Enrollment

1,933

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

6.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#1,278 of 2,466

In Maplewood

#5 of 6

public schools

In district

#8 of 10

South Orange-Maplewood School District

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Columbia High School

6.4/10

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

Our Lady of Sorrows School

7.9/10

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

Clinton Elementary School

6.8/10

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

About Columbia High School

Columbia High School is a public high school in Maplewood, NJ, part of South Orange-Maplewood School District. Columbia High School serves approximately 1,933 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. Columbia High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,278 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Columbia High School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts above NJ schools
  • This school 6.4 · Average
  • NJ avg 5.8

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.6Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+1.35 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.4Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38.8% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency68.8% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-2.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.6 pts
Overall Proficiency54% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)59% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-5.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
College Readiness8.2Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate86%
AP Participation38.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,104
Chronic Absenteeism27.6%

Columbia High School — Students at Columbia High School score 54% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

16.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 47.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.4% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 71.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
54.1% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
78%
ELA
89%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
94%
2011
Math
81%
ELA
94%
2012
Math
85%
ELA
96%
2013
Math
81%
ELA
95%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
34%
2015
Math
31%
ELA
34%
2016
Math
41%
ELA
58%
2017
Math
43%
ELA
58%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
68%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
68%
2020*
Math
24%
ELA
68%
2021*
Math
24%
ELA
68%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
69%
2024
Math
29%
ELA
75.9%
2025
Math
38.8%
ELA
68.8%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Columbia High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
48th percentile in NJ
Academic
6.4/10
Average
Growth
6.6/10
Average
Environment
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 3.2
Sports
27
12 boys' · 15 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
17%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
149 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.6%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
38.4% participation·State avg: 3.2 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics27sports offered
12 boys'·15 girls'·57 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 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

17 PARKER AVE, Maplewood, NJ 07040

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbia High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Seth Boyden Elementary Demonstration School (rated 8.1/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ivy Hill Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Newark), which scores notably higher. Additionally, South Mountain Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby S. Orange), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Maplewood, see our Maplewood schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
OUR LADY OF SORROWS SCHOOL South Orange 0.5 mi 7.9
Clinton Elementary School Maplewood 0.6 mi 6.8
Delia Bolden Elementary School Maplewood 0.6 mi 5.3
Tuscan Elementary School Maplewood 0.8 mi 7.8
Maplewood Middle School Maplewood 0.7 mi 7.5
South Mountain Elementary School S. Orange 0.9 mi 8.0
South Orange Middle School S. Orange 0.9 mi 7.2
Seth Boyden Elementary Demonstration School Maplewood 1.2 mi 8.1
Mt Vernon Place School Newark 1.1 mi 6.7
Montrose Early Childhood Center South Orange 1.4 mi 5.7
Marshall Elementary School S. Orange 1.2 mi 7.1
STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges South Orange 1.5 mi 7.5
Jefferson Elementary Union 1.5 mi 3.8
SOUTH ORANGE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL South Orange 1.6 mi
Florence Avenue Elementary School Irvington 1.4 mi 5.6
Wyoming School Millburn 1.4 mi 7.6
Ivy Hill Elementary School Newark 1.5 mi 8.1
Chancellor Avenue Elementary School Irvington 1.7 mi 6.6
Heywood Avenue Elementary School Orange 1.8 mi 6.0
Newark Sch of Data Science and Information Technology Newark 1.5 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07040 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$167,428

Median Home Value

$684,600

Median Rent

$2,184/mo

Population

25,406

College Educated

69.4%

Homeownership

76.9%

Avg Commute

39 min

Poverty Rate

3.6%

Median Age

38.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Ramapo High School Franklin Lakes, NJ 6.4
Shawnee High School Medford, NJ 6.4
Toms River High School East Toms River, NJ 6.4
Wayne Hills High School Wayne, NJ 6.4
Camden County Technical School-GTC Sicklerville, NJ 6.5
Watchung Hills Regional High School Warren, NJ 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbia High School

What grades does Columbia High School serve?

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

How many students attend Columbia High School?

Columbia High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,933 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Columbia High School is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Columbia High School rank in NJ?

Columbia High School ranks #1,278 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Columbia High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbia High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 Columbia High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Columbia High School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Columbia High School a charter school?

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

Is Columbia High School a Title I school?

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

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

16.7% of students at Columbia 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
74 Very Walkable
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,933
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
Teachers (FTE)
149
Free/Reduced Lunch
16.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Essex County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.6%
4-Year Graduation
86.0%

How we rate schools

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