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Below Average

#253 of 284 private schools in TN

Zion Christian Academy

School

6901 OLD ZION RD, Columbia, TN 38401

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 11 schools in Columbia. Learn more

Enrollment

381

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Columbia

#3 of 5

public schools

Tennessee schools

#118 of 138

About Zion Christian Academy

Zion Christian Academy serves 381 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Columbia, Tennessee. This regular public school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1 with 29 full-time equivalent teachers, creating opportunities for more personalized attention in smaller classroom settings. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10, though it ranks #237 out of 284 schools statewide, placing it in the 17th percentile among Tennessee schools.

This suggests the school is focusing on student development and may have room for academic growth as it works to enhance educational outcomes for its diverse student body spanning all grade levels from early childhood through high school graduation. Zion Christian Academy draws students from a community where the median household income is $66,047 and the median home value reaches $260,900. About 23% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate remains relatively low at 10.1%.

The school's comprehensive grade range allows families to keep students in one institution throughout their entire educational journey. The academy is situated in a rural setting near Columbia, providing students with a quieter learning environment while still maintaining access to the resources and opportunities of nearby town amenities.

What Parents Should Know

As a private school, Zion Christian Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Located in a rural area, Zion Christian Academy 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.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Zion Christian Academy compares to 12 public schools serving similar grades in Columbia, TN

Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
This School
vs
15.8:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
381
This School
vs
578
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
4.9
This School
vs
6.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 91.3% vs 0%
Hispanic 1.6% vs 0%
Asian 1% vs 0%
Black 0.8% vs 0%
Zion Christian Academy Columbia Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Zion Christian Academy (this school) 4.9
J E Woodard Elementary 8.1
Whitthorne Middle School 6.1
Columbia Central High School 4.2
J. R. Baker Elementary 8.2
J. Brown Elementary 6.2
Highland Park Elementary 8.5
Northfield Academy 5.0
Virtual Academy of Maury County 4.2
Riverside Elementary 5.6
E. A. Cox Middle School 5.2
R Howell Elementary 6.3
Spring Hill High School 6.0

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in TN.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
C+ 3.5 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 13.1:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.0 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,224
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B- 4.8 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 16%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A 8.7 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 381
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in TN

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 91.3%
Two or More 5.2%
Hispanic 1.6%
Asian 1.0%
Black 0.8%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

6901 OLD ZION RD, Columbia, TN 38401

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Zion Christian Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. HOPEWELL CHRISTIAN COVENANT FAMILY SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Culleoka), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hampshire Unit School (rated 7.1/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Hampshire), which scores notably higher. Additionally, AGATHOS CLASSICAL SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 7.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.1 mi
School Distance Rating
J E Woodard Elementary Columbia 2.4 mi 8.1
WHITE STONE ACADEMY Columbia 3.4 mi 4.6
Whitthorne Middle School Columbia 3.9 mi 6.1
Columbia Central High School Columbia 4.0 mi 4.2
J. R. Baker Elementary Columbia 4.0 mi 8.2
Mt. Pleasant Middle Visual Perform. Arts Mt. Pleasant 4.7 mi 7.0
J E Woody Elementary Mt. Pleasant 4.9 mi 7.5
Mt Pleasant High School Mt. Pleasant 5.1 mi 7.2
COLUMBIA ACADEMY Columbia 5.1 mi 4.2
THE KINGS DAUGHTERS SCHOOL-CFA CAMPUS Columbia 5.5 mi
J. Brown Elementary Columbia 5.7 mi 6.2
Highland Park Elementary Columbia 5.9 mi 8.5
THE KINGS DAUGHTERS SCHOOL Columbia 6.0 mi 6.0
Northfield Academy Columbia 6.6 mi 5.0
Virtual Academy of Maury County Columbia 6.6 mi 4.2
Riverside Elementary Columbia 6.7 mi 5.6
HOPEWELL CHRISTIAN COVENANT FAMILY SCHOOL Culleoka 8.0 mi 7.2
AGATHOS CLASSICAL SCHOOL Columbia 7.5 mi 6.6
Santa Fe Unit School Santa Fe 9.4 mi 6.2
Hampshire Unit School Hampshire 8.1 mi 7.1

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Zion Christian Academy has a median household income of $69,467. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $295,200, with a median rent of $1,084/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Hamilton County Virtual School Chattanooga, TN 4.8
BEREAN ACADEMY Hixson, TN 5.1
FAYETTE ACADEMY Somerville, TN 5.1
Sunbright School Sunbright, TN 5.1
Jackson Academic STEAM Academy Jackson, TN 4.7
Memphis Virtual School Memphis, TN 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Zion Christian Academy

What grades does Zion Christian Academy serve?

Zion Christian Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Zion Christian Academy?

Zion Christian Academy has an enrollment of approximately 381 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Zion Christian Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Zion Christian Academy is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Zion Christian Academy rank in TN?

Zion Christian Academy is ranked #253 out of 284 private schools in TN.

What is Zion Christian Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Zion Christian Academy has a composite rating of 4.9 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.

Is Zion Christian Academy a private school?

Yes, Zion Christian Academy is a private coeducational school with a Presbyterian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Zion Christian Academy a religious school?

Zion Christian Academy has a Presbyterian religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,062/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbia). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
381
Gender Split
46% M / 54% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Presbyterian
School Day
6.8 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
MAURY
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

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