Very Good
#907 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Top 37% in state
Columbia High School
High School · South Orange-Maplewood School District
17 PARKER AVE, Maplewood, NJ 07040
Enrollment
1,933
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,933
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Maplewood
#3 of 6
public schools
New Jersey high schools
#160 of 422
In district
#5 of 10
South Orange-Maplewood School District
About Columbia High School
Columbia High School serves 1,933 students in grades 9-12 in Maplewood, New Jersey, with a student-teacher ratio of 13:1 and 149 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks in the middle tier of New Jersey high schools, holding the 1227th position out of 2475 schools statewide, placing it at the 50th percentile. Academically, Columbia High School shows strength in English Language Arts, where 69% of students perform at proficient or above levels across grade levels.
Mathematics presents more of a challenge, with 30% of students achieving proficiency, indicating an area with significant room for growth and development. The school's overall academic performance reflects a mixed picture of student achievement. The school is situated in an affluent suburban community where the median household income reaches $165,681 and median home values average $638,000.
The surrounding neighborhood demonstrates strong educational values, with 68% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a low poverty rate of just 3.4%. This highly educated community of over 25,000 residents provides a supportive environment for the school's educational mission. Columbia High School operates within this prosperous Essex County suburb, serving families who have chosen to invest in a community that prioritizes education and maintains strong socioeconomic stability.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Columbia High School — Students at Columbia High School score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
16.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 9 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.7/10.
How Columbia High School Compares
See how Columbia High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 68% (2019) to 69% (2022).
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. STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges (rated 9.2/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby South Orange), which scores notably higher. Another option is Tuscan Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Delia Bolden Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Maplewood, see our Maplewood schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 miNeighborhood 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Columbia High School has a median household income of $167,428. It is a well-educated community where 69% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $684,600, with a median rent of $2,184/month. The local poverty rate of 3.6% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 39 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cherokee High School Marlton, NJ | 7.0 |
| Cherry Hill High School West Cherry Hill, NJ | 7.1 |
| Colts Neck High School Colts Neck, NJ | 7.1 |
| Hightstown High School Hightstown, NJ | 6.9 |
| John P. Stevens High School Edison, NJ | 7.1 |
| Red Bank Regional High School Little Silver, NJ | 7.1 |
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 is ranked #907 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Columbia High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Columbia High School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Columbia High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbia High School has 29.6% math proficiency and 70.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
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FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (973) 762-5600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
South Orange-Maplewood School District- District Enrollment
- 7,047
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $25,104
- District Rank
- #5 of 10
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 methodologyRelated reading
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