Top Rankings
Columbia School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Mississippi for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 3 public elementary schools serving 1,155 students in Columbia School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public elementary schools in Mississippi.
Public Elementary Schools in Columbia School District have an average math proficiency score of 55% (versus the Mississippi public elementary school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 43% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Mississippi public elementary school average of 58% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (MS)
# Schools
4 Schools
682 Schools
# Students
1,639 Students
286,688 Students
# Teachers
126 Teachers
19,842 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Columbia School District, which is ranked within the top 30% of all 147 school districts in Mississippi (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 95% has increased from 85-89% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#36 out of 148 school districts
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
56%
52%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
49%
42%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
60%
55%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)≥95%
89%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.57
0.63
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
1%
% Hispanic
2%
7%
% Black
43%
43%
% White
50%
42%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $12,105 in this school district is less than the state median of $12,408. The school district revenue/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,169 is higher than the state median of $12,276. The school district spending/student has grown by 25% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$20 MM
$5,371 MM
Spending
$22 MM
$5,314 MM
Revenue / Student
$12,105
$12,408
Spending / Student
$13,169
$12,276
Best Columbia School District Public Elementary Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Columbia Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
401 Mary Street
Columbia, MS 39429
(601) 736-2362
Columbia, MS 39429
(601) 736-2362
Gr: 3-5 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #22.
Columbia Primary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
913 West Avenue
Columbia, MS 39429
(601) 736-2216
Columbia, MS 39429
(601) 736-2216
Gr: PK-2 | 448 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #33.
Jefferson Middle School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
611 Owens Street
Columbia, MS 39429
(601) 736-2786
Columbia, MS 39429
(601) 736-2786
Gr: 6-8 | 329 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
