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Below Average

#1112 of 1,226 schools in OR

Columbia City School

Elementary School · St Helens SD 502

2000 Second St, Columbia City, OR 97018

Enrollment

195

Student-Teacher

16.2:1

Score

4.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Oregon schools

#1,112 of 1,226

In district

#7 of 8

St Helens SD 502

School environment

7.2 / 10

Very Good

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Columbia City School

4.0/10

Elementary School in Columbia City · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Plymouth High School

5.6/10

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

St. Helens Virtual Academy

5.5/10

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

About Columbia City School

Columbia City School is a public elementary school in Columbia City, OR, part of St Helens SD 502. Columbia City School serves approximately 195 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Columbia City School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,112 of 1,226 schools in OR.

Structured state assessment records for Columbia City School show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 4.0 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.1
  • OR avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 195 students, Columbia City School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

43% of students at Columbia City 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 Progress1.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data10
Annual Change-4.24 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.4Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24% (2025 OSAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.3% (2025 OSAS)
Math vs. State Avg-7.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.7 pts
Overall Proficiency29% (2025 OSAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2025 OSAS)
vs. Expected-4.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,419
Chronic Absenteeism43.1%

Columbia City School — Students at Columbia City School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores OR OSAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 38.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
31.8% (2025 OSAS)
ELA Proficiency 46.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
43.0% (2025 OSAS)

Based on 20 test records from OR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
76%
ELA
76%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
76%
ELA
78%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
27%
2025
Math
24%
ELA
33.3%

* 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: 1.8/10.

How Columbia City School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.0/10
9th percentile in OR
Academic
5.4/10
Average
Growth
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.2/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
43.1%

Location

2000 Second St, Columbia City, OR 97018

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbia City School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Fork Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Woodland), which scores notably higher. Another option is Union Ridge Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Ridgefield), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Columbia Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Woodland), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia City, see our Columbia City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Plymouth High School St. Helens 1.8 mi 5.6
St. Helens Virtual Academy St. Helens 1.8 mi 5.5
St Helens Middle School St. Helens 1.9 mi 4.2
Lewis & Clark Elementary School St. Helens 2.0 mi 5.4
McBride Elementary School St. Helens 2.8 mi 4.4
St Helens High School St. Helens 3.1 mi 3.7
Columbia Elementary School Woodland 2.8 mi 8.3
Woodland High School Woodland 3.4 mi 4.5
Lewis River Academy Woodland 3.0 mi 3.8
Woodland Alternative School Woodland 3.0 mi 4.3
Woodland Middle School Woodland 3.1 mi 8.1
St Helens Arthur Academy St. Helens 4.1 mi 6.5
COLUMBIA COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Saint Helens 5.6 mi 5.7
Warren Elementary School Warren 5.9 mi 3.0
South Columbia Family School Scappoose 5.9 mi 7.7
North Fork Elementary School Woodland 4.7 mi 9.2
Union Ridge Elementary Ridgefield 6.0 mi 8.7
Ridgefield Early Learning Center Ridgefield 6.1 mi 5.7
Kalama Elem School Kalama 8.2 mi 7.0
Kalama Middle School Kalama 8.2 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 97018 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$100,912

Median Home Value

$441,700

Median Rent

$1,467/mo

Population

1,806

College Educated

20.8%

Homeownership

90%

Poverty Rate

8.9%

Median Age

49.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Rosland Elementary Lapine, OR 4.0
A C Houghton Elementary School Irrigon, OR 4.1
GOOD SHEPHERD SCHOOL Boring, OR 4.1
Westside Village Magnet School at Kingston Elementary School Bend, OR 4.1
Falls City Elementary School Falls City, OR 3.9
Washington Elementary School Medford, OR 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbia City School

What grades does Columbia City School serve?

Columbia City School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Columbia City School?

Columbia City School has an enrollment of approximately 195 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Columbia City School is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Columbia City School rank in OR?

Columbia City School ranks #1,112 of 1,226 schools in OR.

What is Columbia City School's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbia City School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 City School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Columbia City School has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Columbia City School a charter school?

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

Is Columbia City School a Title I school?

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

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

66.2% of students at Columbia City 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
20 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
195
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
66.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Columbia County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
43.1%

District

St Helens SD 502
District Enrollment
2,808
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,419
District Rank
#7 of 8

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