Average
#1818 of 2,846 schools in PA
Columbia HS
High School · Columbia Borough SD
901 Ironville Pike, Columbia, PA 17512
Enrollment
363
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
363
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Pennsylvania schools
#1,818 of 2,846
In Columbia
#1 of 4
public schools
In district
#1 of 4
Columbia Borough SD
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Columbia HS
High School in Columbia · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Columbia MS Hill Campus
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Columbia MS Taylor Campus
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Columbia HS
Columbia HS is a public high school in Columbia, PA, part of Columbia Borough SD. Columbia HS serves approximately 363 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. Columbia HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,818 of 2,846 schools in PA.
Structured state assessment records for Columbia HS show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 5.6 · Average
- PA avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Columbia HS sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Columbia HS sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
40% of students at Columbia HS 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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Columbia HS — Students at Columbia HS score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 28 test records from PA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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 HS Compares
See how Columbia HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
901 Ironville Pike, Columbia, PA 17512
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Columbia HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Eastern York HS (rated 7.4/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Wrightsville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Donegal HS (rated 5.9/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Mount Joy), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia MS Hill Campus Columbia | 0.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Columbia MS Taylor Campus Columbia | 0.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Park El Sch Columbia | 0.8 mi | 4.2 |
| OUR LADY OF ANGELS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Columbia | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS SCHOOL Columbia | 1.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Wrightsville El Sch Wrightsville | 2.4 mi | 7.8 |
| SONLIGHT RIVER BRETHREN SCHOOL Mount Joy | 2.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Farmdale El Sch Mount Joy | 2.5 mi | 7.2 |
| PROSPECT GROVE HIGH SCHOOL Columbia | 2.5 mi | — |
| Donegal Intermediate School Marietta | 2.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Donegal JHS Mount Joy | 3.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Donegal Primary School Mount Joy | 3.6 mi | 8.6 |
| Donegal HS Mount Joy | 3.6 mi | 5.9 |
| SUSQUEHANNA WALDORF SCHOOL Marietta | 3.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Eastern York HS Wrightsville | 4.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Eastern York MS Wrightsville | 4.1 mi | 5.8 |
| THE JANUS SCHOOL Mount Joy | 4.6 mi | 8.1 |
| KRAYBILL MENNONITE SCHOOL Mount Joy | 4.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Lancaster County CTC - Mt Joy Campus Mount Joy | 4.9 mi | — |
| Mountville El Sch Mountville | 3.8 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 17512 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,130
Median Home Value
$221,100
Median Rent
$1,067/mo
Population
18,235
College Educated
22.5%
Homeownership
64%
Avg Commute
25.5 min
Poverty Rate
12.2%
Median Age
45
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Catasauqua SHS Northampton, PA | 5.6 |
| Freedom Area SHS Freedom, PA | 5.6 |
| Innovative Arts Academy CS Catasauqua, PA | 5.6 |
| Moshannon Valley JSHS Houtzdale, PA | 5.6 |
| Schuylkill Haven SHS Schuylkill Haven, PA | 5.6 |
| Springdale JSHS Springdale, PA | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Columbia HS
What grades does Columbia HS serve?
Columbia HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Columbia HS?
Columbia HS has an enrollment of approximately 363 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbia HS?
The student-teacher ratio at Columbia HS 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 HS rank in PA?
Columbia HS ranks #1,818 of 2,846 schools in PA.
What is Columbia HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Columbia HS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 HS?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Columbia HS has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Columbia HS a charter school?
No, Columbia HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Columbia HS a Title I school?
No, Columbia HS is not currently a Title I school.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 363
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Lancaster County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 39.7%
- Phone
- (717) 684-7500
- 4-Year Graduation
- 67.0%
Resources & Links
District
Columbia Borough SD- District Enrollment
- 1,265
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,768
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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