Average
#1102 of 2,842 schools in PA
Top 39% in state
Central Columbia MS
Middle School · Central Columbia SD
4777 Old Berwick Rd, Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Enrollment
630
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
6.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
630
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
6.8
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bloomsburg
#7 of 9
public schools
Pennsylvania middle schools
#183 of 514
In district
#3 of 3
Central Columbia SD
Academic growth
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Central Columbia MS
Central Columbia MS is a middle school located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, on the outskirts of Columbia County. Situated at 4777 Old Berwick Rd, it serves students from fifth through eighth grade with an enrollment of 630 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1. The faculty includes 39 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education.
Central Columbia MS has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10, placing it in the 70th percentile among Pennsylvania schools. Academically, students perform well with an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 70% and a Math proficiency rate of 59%, indicating areas for growth but also highlighting strengths in language arts. The school is located in a small town setting, offering a close-knit community environment where students can feel supported as they navigate the challenges of middle school.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Central Columbia MS — Students at Central Columbia MS score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
35.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 14 test records from PA 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: 8.1/10.
How Central Columbia MS Compares
See how Central Columbia MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 59% (2019) to 60.8% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 75% (2019) to 68.8% (2024).
Location
4777 Old Berwick Rd, Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Columbia MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Southern Columbia MS (rated 7.8/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Catawissa), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Benton Area MS (rated 7.4/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Benton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Bloomsburg Area MS (rated 7.2/10, 5.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bloomsburg, see our Bloomsburg schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Central Columbia SHS Bloomsburg | 0.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School Bloomsburg | 0.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Central Columbia El Sch Bloomsburg | 0.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Beaver-Main El Sch Bloomsburg | 5.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Memorial El Sch Bloomsburg | 4.9 mi | 8.9 |
| Bloomsburg Area HS Bloomsburg | 5.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Bloomsburg Area MS Bloomsburg | 5.1 mi | 7.2 |
| W W Evans Memorial El Sch Bloomsburg | 6.2 mi | 7.9 |
| West Berwick El Sch Berwick | 6.5 mi | 4.7 |
| COLUMBIA COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bloomsburg | 6.7 mi | 6.8 |
| NEW STORY SCHOOL Berwick | 7.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Berwick Area HS Berwick | 7.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Berwick Area MS Berwick | 7.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Salem El Sch Berwick | 7.9 mi | 7.1 |
| GREENWOOD FRIENDS SCHOOL Millville | 9.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Nescopeck El Sch Nescopeck | 8.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Hartman El Ctr Catawissa | 10.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Benton Area MS Benton | 12.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Benton Area HS Benton | 12.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Southern Columbia MS Catawissa | 10.6 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 17815 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,145
Median Home Value
$216,700
Median Rent
$968/mo
Population
29,324
College Educated
32.5%
Homeownership
62.5%
Avg Commute
18.7 min
Poverty Rate
18.6%
Median Age
34.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Columbia MS has a median household income of $66,145. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $216,700, with a median rent of $968/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.6%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Highlands MS Natrona Heights, PA | 6.8 |
| Jackson MS Lancaster, PA | 6.8 |
| Marticville MS Pequea, PA | 6.8 |
| North Hills El Sch York, PA | 6.8 |
| Oil City Area MS Oil City, PA | 6.8 |
| Penn Wood MS Darby, PA | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Columbia MS
What grades does Central Columbia MS serve?
Central Columbia MS serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Central Columbia MS?
Central Columbia MS has an enrollment of approximately 630 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Columbia MS?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Columbia MS 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 Central Columbia MS rank in PA?
Central Columbia MS is ranked #1102 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Central Columbia MS's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Columbia MS has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Central Columbia MS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Columbia MS has 59.3% math proficiency and 70.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central Columbia MS a charter school?
No, Central Columbia MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Columbia MS a Title I school?
No, Central Columbia MS is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Columbia MS?
35.2% of students at Central Columbia MS qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 630
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 35.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Columbia County
- Phone
- (570) 784-6103
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Central Columbia SD- District Enrollment
- 1,943
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,129
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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
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.