Average
#2281 of 2,842 schools in PA
Columbia HS
High School · Columbia Borough SD
901 Ironville Pike, Columbia, PA 17512
Enrollment
363
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
5.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
363
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
5.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#1 of 4
public schools
Pennsylvania high schools
#504 of 641
In district
#1 of 4
Columbia Borough SD
About Columbia HS
Columbia High School is a regular public high school located in Columbia, Pennsylvania, in Lancaster County. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 363 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 13:1, the school provides ample attention to each student's needs.
There are 28 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to helping students succeed. Columbia High School’s academic performance is currently rated at 2.9 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks #2679 out of 2852 schools in Pennsylvania, placing it in the 6th percentile statewide. In terms of subject proficiency rates, 28% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 36% are proficient or above in Math.
While these scores indicate there is room for academic growth, Columbia High School continues to focus on student development and improvement. The school's setting is rural but near a town, offering both the tranquility of countryside living along with convenient access to local amenities and resources.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Columbia HS may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Columbia HS — Students at Columbia HS score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)
Based on 6 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: 2.0/10.
How Columbia HS Compares
See how Columbia HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 42% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 10% (2021).
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 5.9/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Wrightsville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Donegal HS (rated 4.3/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Mount Joy), with a comparable rating. 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 | 4.6 |
| Columbia MS Taylor Campus Columbia | 0.5 mi | 3.5 |
| Park El Sch Columbia | 0.8 mi | 3.5 |
| 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 | 8.1 |
| SONLIGHT RIVER BRETHREN SCHOOL Mount Joy | 2.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Farmdale El Sch Mount Joy | 2.5 mi | 7.3 |
| PROSPECT GROVE HIGH SCHOOL Columbia | 2.5 mi | — |
| Donegal Intermediate School Marietta | 2.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Donegal JHS Mount Joy | 3.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Donegal Primary School Mount Joy | 3.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Donegal HS Mount Joy | 3.6 mi | 4.3 |
| SUSQUEHANNA WALDORF SCHOOL Marietta | 3.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Eastern York HS Wrightsville | 4.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Eastern York MS Wrightsville | 4.1 mi | 5.2 |
| 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 | 8.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Columbia HS has a median household income of $61,130. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $221,100, with a median rent of $1,067/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.2%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Washington HS Washington, PA | 5.0 |
| East Juniata JSHS Mcalisterville, PA | 4.9 |
| Multicultural Academy CS Philadelphia, PA | 5.1 |
| Old Forge JSHS Old Forge, PA | 5.1 |
| Avella Area JSHS Avella, PA | 5.2 |
| California Area SHS Coal Center, PA | 4.8 |
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 is ranked #2281 out of 2,842 schools in PA.
What is Columbia HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Columbia HS has a composite rating of 5.0 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 HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbia HS has 36.3% math proficiency and 28.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,346/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbia). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (717) 684-7500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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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