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Average

#829 of 2,225 schools in WA

Top 37% in state

Columbia Middle School

Middle School · Moses Lake School District

1111 E NELSON ROAD, Moses Lake, WA 98837

Enrollment

871

Student-Teacher

18.5:1

Score

6.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Moses Lake

#4 of 11

public schools

Washington middle schools

#66 of 374

In district

#6 of 18

Moses Lake School District

Equity

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Columbia Middle School

Columbia Middle School serves grades 6 through 8 in Moses Lake, a remote community in Grant County, Washington. The school enrolls 871 students with a student-teacher ratio of 18.5 to 1, supported by 47 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Columbia Middle is working to strengthen student performance across core subjects.

In English language arts, 41% of students score at proficiency levels or above, while 33% meet proficiency benchmarks in math and 34% in science. These results indicate the school has meaningful opportunities to support student growth in foundational skills. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks 1438th among Washington's 2261 schools, placing it in the 36th percentile statewide.

As a regular public middle school, Columbia serves as an important educational anchor for the Moses Lake area. The remote setting shapes both the school's role in the community and the resources available to support student learning and development.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.34 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency40%
Math vs. State Avg+14.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.5 pts
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+8.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,641

Columbia Middle School — Students at Columbia Middle School score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 37.1%
School
State
37.9%
ELA Proficiency 41.4%
School
State
49.0%

Based on 13 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
38%
ELA
51%
2022
ELA
41%
2024
Math
36.9%
ELA
39.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.5/10.

How Columbia Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
63th percentile in WA
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
4.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
47 teachers

Location

1111 E NELSON ROAD, Moses Lake, WA 98837

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbia Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Longview Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Sage Point Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Park Orchard Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Moses Lake, see our Moses Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.7 mi
School Distance Rating
MLSD Open Doors Re-Engagement Program Moses Lake 0.2 mi 5.8
Digital Learning Center Moses Lake 0.3 mi 3.4
MOSES LAKE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Moses Lake 0.2 mi 6.2
Garden Heights Elementary Moses Lake 0.3 mi 5.9
Moses Lake High School Moses Lake 0.4 mi 5.1
Lakeview Terrace Elementary Moses Lake 0.6 mi 5.0
Vicki I. Groff Elementary School Moses Lake 0.5 mi 6.2
Vanguard Academy Moses Lake 0.7 mi
Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center Moses Lake 0.8 mi
Frontier Middle School Moses Lake 1.4 mi 4.2
Midway Elementary Moses Lake 1.5 mi 6.4
Moses Lake Early Learning Center Moses Lake 1.5 mi 5.7
Knolls Vista Elementary Moses Lake 1.8 mi 6.9
Park Orchard Elementary School Moses Lake 2.2 mi 7.3
Longview Elementary Moses Lake 2.8 mi 7.9
COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Moses Lake 2.5 mi 5.9
Peninsula Elementary Moses Lake 2.2 mi 6.4
CRESTVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Moses Lake 2.7 mi
Sage Point Elementary School Moses Lake 3.2 mi 7.5
Larson Heights Elementary Moses Lake 4.7 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98837 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,732

Median Home Value

$290,000

Median Rent

$1,128/mo

Population

47,399

College Educated

20.6%

Homeownership

66.3%

Avg Commute

19.5 min

Poverty Rate

14.6%

Median Age

35.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Columbia Middle School has a median household income of $70,732. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $290,000, with a median rent of $1,128/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.6%. The average commute for residents is 20 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
La Venture Middle School Mount Vernon, WA 6.9
Meadowdale Middle School Lynnwood, WA 6.9
Heatherwood Middle School Mill Creek, WA 7.0
Oak Harbor Intermediate School Oak Harbor, WA 7.0
Selkirk Middle School Liberty Lake, WA 7.0
Timbercrest Middle School Woodinville, WA 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbia Middle School

What grades does Columbia Middle School serve?

Columbia Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Columbia Middle School?

Columbia Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 871 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbia Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Columbia Middle School is 18.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Columbia Middle School rank in WA?

Columbia Middle School is ranked #829 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is Columbia Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbia Middle School has a composite rating of 6.9 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.

What are the test scores at Columbia Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbia Middle School has 37.1% math proficiency and 41.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Columbia Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Columbia Middle School a Title I school?

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

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Columbia Middle School?

60.6% of students at Columbia Middle School 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
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,669/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
871
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
47
Free/Reduced Lunch
60.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Grant County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Moses Lake School District
District Enrollment
8,740
Schools in District
20
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,536
District Rank
#6 of 18

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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