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Very Good

#941 of 2,846 schools in PA

Top 33% 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

7.2

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Pennsylvania schools

#941 of 2,846

In Bloomsburg

#5 of 9

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Central Columbia SD

Academic performance

8.1 / 10

Excellent

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Central Columbia MS

7.2/10

Middle School in Bloomsburg · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Central Columbia Shs

8.6/10

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

Columbia-montour Area Vocational-technical School

6.6/10

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

About Central Columbia MS

Central Columbia MS is a public middle school in Bloomsburg, PA, part of Central Columbia SD. Central Columbia MS serves approximately 630 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Columbia MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #941 of 2,846 schools in PA.

Structured state assessment records for Central Columbia MS show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.8 pts above PA schools
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • PA avg 5.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.4 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.1Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60.8% (2024 PSSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency68.8% (2024 PSSA)
Math vs. State Avg+17.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+16.4 pts
Overall Proficiency65% (2024 PSSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)60% (model expectation from 2024 PSSA)
vs. Expected+5.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,129
Chronic Absenteeism9%

Central Columbia MS — Students at Central Columbia MS score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 65.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
37.0% (2024 PSSA)
ELA Proficiency 73.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
53.2% (2024 PSSA)

Based on 38 test records from PA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
83%
ELA
73%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
85%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
83%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
56%
ELA
73%
2015
Math
62%
ELA
69%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
78%
2018
Math
59%
ELA
75%
2019
Math
59%
ELA
75%
2020*
Math
51%
ELA
73%
2021*
Math
51%
ELA
73%
2022
Math
50.7%
ELA
69.8%
2024
Math
61.1%
ELA
68.9%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How Central Columbia MS Compares

See how Central Columbia MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
67th percentile in PA
Academic
8.1/10
Excellent
Growth
8.0/10
Excellent
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Benton Area MS (rated 7.6/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Benton), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Southern Columbia MS (rated 7.4/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Catawissa), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Berwick Area MS (rated 5.8/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Berwick), a more accessible option. 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 8.6
Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School Bloomsburg 0.5 mi 6.6
Central Columbia El Sch Bloomsburg 0.4 mi 8.7
Beaver-Main El Sch Bloomsburg 5.4 mi 8.2
Memorial El Sch Bloomsburg 4.9 mi 6.8
Bloomsburg Area HS Bloomsburg 5.1 mi 5.9
Bloomsburg Area MS Bloomsburg 5.1 mi 4.9
W W Evans Memorial El Sch Bloomsburg 6.2 mi 7.3
West Berwick El Sch Berwick 6.5 mi 4.5
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 7.0
Berwick Area MS Berwick 7.9 mi 5.8
Salem El Sch Berwick 7.9 mi 8.3
GREENWOOD FRIENDS SCHOOL Millville 9.4 mi 5.8
Nescopeck El Sch Nescopeck 8.1 mi 7.5
Hartman El Ctr Catawissa 10.6 mi 8.2
Benton Area MS Benton 12.1 mi 7.6
Benton Area HS Benton 12.1 mi 4.6
Southern Columbia MS Catawissa 10.6 mi 7.4

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Charles H Boehm MS Yardley, PA 7.2
Fort LeBoeuf MS Waterford, PA 7.2
Franklin Regional MS Murrysville, PA 7.2
Hopewell El Sch Oxford, PA 7.2
Walnut Creek MS Fairview, PA 7.2
Ephrata Intermediate Sch Ephrata, PA 7.3

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 ranks #941 of 2,846 schools in PA.

What is Central Columbia MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Columbia MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 Central Columbia MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Columbia MS has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.0%

District

Central Columbia SD
District Enrollment
1,943
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,129
District Rank
#3 of 3

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