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Needs Improvement

#1752 of 1,786 schools in TN

Columbia Central High School

High School · Maury County

921 Lion PKWY, Columbia, TN 38401

Enrollment

1,409

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

2.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Tennessee schools

#1,752 of 1,786

In Columbia

#11 of 12

public schools

In district

#22 of 23

Maury County

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Columbia Central High School

2.9/10

High School in Columbia · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

J. R. Baker Elementary

8.2/10

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

Whitthorne Middle School

3.7/10

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

About Columbia Central High School

Columbia Central High School is a public high school in Columbia, TN, part of Maury County. Columbia Central High School serves approximately 1,409 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Columbia Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,752 of 1,786 schools in TN.

Structured state assessment records for Columbia Central High School show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.3 pts below district
  • This school 2.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.2
  • TN avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

39% of students at Columbia Central High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.5Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.5 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.6Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8.5% (2025 TCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25% (2025 TCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-30.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.8 pts
Overall Proficiency17% (2025 TCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2025 TCAP)
vs. Expected-26.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
College Readiness4.6Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate80%
AP Participation12.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,129
Chronic Absenteeism38.8%

Columbia Central High School — Students at Columbia Central High School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores TN TCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 27.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.2% (2025 TCAP)
ELA Proficiency 39.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.8% (2025 TCAP)

Based on 29 test records from TN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
43%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
55%
ELA
58%
2011
Math
45%
ELA
55%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
54%
2013
Math
56%
ELA
56%
2014
Math
53%
ELA
55%
2015
Math
15%
ELA
29%
2016
Math
13%
ELA
30%
2017
Math
6%
ELA
23%
2018
Math
7%
ELA
26%
2019
Math
7%
ELA
26%
2020*
Math
7%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
7%
ELA
27%
2025
Math
8.5%
ELA
25%

* 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: 1.5/10.

How Columbia Central High School Compares

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

Overall Score
2.9/10
2th percentile in TN
Academic
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.4
Sports
5
2 boys' · 3 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
82 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.8%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
12.5% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics5sports offered
2 boys'·3 girls'·5 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

921 Lion PKWY, Columbia, TN 38401

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbia Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Virtual Academy of Maury County (rated 4.4/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Northfield Academy (rated 2.6/10, 2.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.6 mi
School Distance Rating
J. R. Baker Elementary Columbia 0.2 mi 8.2
Whitthorne Middle School Columbia 0.2 mi 3.7
WHITE STONE ACADEMY Columbia 1.2 mi 4.6
COLUMBIA ACADEMY Columbia 1.2 mi 4.2
THE KINGS DAUGHTERS SCHOOL-CFA CAMPUS Columbia 1.6 mi
J E Woodard Elementary Columbia 2.0 mi 7.3
THE KINGS DAUGHTERS SCHOOL Columbia 2.2 mi 6.0
Highland Park Elementary Columbia 2.3 mi 7.2
J. Brown Elementary Columbia 2.8 mi 7.1
Riverside Elementary Columbia 2.7 mi 5.4
Northfield Academy Columbia 2.8 mi 2.6
Virtual Academy of Maury County Columbia 2.8 mi 4.4
AGATHOS CLASSICAL SCHOOL Columbia 3.8 mi 6.6
ZION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Columbia 4.0 mi 4.9
E. A. Cox Middle School Columbia 6.1 mi 3.4
R Howell Elementary Columbia 6.3 mi 4.2
HOPEWELL CHRISTIAN COVENANT FAMILY SCHOOL Culleoka 7.8 mi 7.2
Santa Fe Unit School Santa Fe 8.6 mi 8.4
Mt. Pleasant Middle Visual Perform. Arts Mt. Pleasant 8.4 mi 5.8
J E Woody Elementary Mt. Pleasant 8.6 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 38401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,467

Median Home Value

$295,200

Median Rent

$1,084/mo

Population

66,696

College Educated

24.4%

Homeownership

71.8%

Avg Commute

28.3 min

Poverty Rate

11.8%

Median Age

39

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Kingsbury High Memphis, TN 2.9
McGavock High Nashville, TN 2.9
Cane Ridge High School Antioch, TN 2.8
Glencliff High School Nashville, TN 2.8
Overton High Memphis, TN 3.0
Kenwood High Clarksville, TN 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbia Central High School

What grades does Columbia Central High School serve?

Columbia Central High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Columbia Central High School?

Columbia Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,409 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbia Central High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Columbia Central High School is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Columbia Central High School rank in TN?

Columbia Central High School ranks #1,752 of 1,786 schools in TN.

What is Columbia Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbia Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 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 Central High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Columbia Central High School has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Columbia Central High School a charter school?

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

Is Columbia Central High School a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,409
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
82
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Maury County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
38.8%
4-Year Graduation
80.0%

District

Maury County
District Enrollment
13,084
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,129
District Rank
#22 of 23

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