For the 2026 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 9,785 students in Columbia County, FL (there are 12 private schools, serving 1,115 private students). 90% of all K-12 students in Columbia County, FL are educated in public schools (compared to the FL state average of 86%).
The top-ranked public schools in Columbia County, FL are Belmont Academy, Westside Elementary School and Pinemount Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbia County, FL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 54% (versus the Florida public school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in Columbia County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Florida public schools.
Minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Florida public school average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Columbia County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Belmont Academy
Charter School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1476 Sw Walter Ave
Lake City, FL 32024
(386) 487-0487
Lake City, FL 32024
(386) 487-0487
Gr: PK-12 | 828 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #22.
Westside Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1956 Sw County Road 252b
Lake City, FL 32024
(386) 755-8280
Lake City, FL 32024
(386) 755-8280
Gr: PK-5 | 695 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #33.
Pinemount Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
324 Sw Gabriel Pl
Lake City, FL 32024
(386) 755-8172
Lake City, FL 32024
(386) 755-8172
Gr: PK-5 | 448 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #44.
Eastside Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
256 Se Beech St
Lake City, FL 32025
(386) 755-8220
Lake City, FL 32025
(386) 755-8220
Gr: PK-5 | 655 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #55.
Columbia City Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7438 Sw State Road 47
Lake City, FL 32024
(386) 758-4850
Lake City, FL 32024
(386) 758-4850
Gr: PK-5 | 585 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #66.
Summers Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1388 Sw Mcfarlane Ave
Lake City, FL 32025
(386) 755-8250
Lake City, FL 32025
(386) 755-8250
Gr: PK-5 | 492 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #77.
Fort White Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
18119 Sw State Road 47
Fort White, FL 32038
(386) 344-6301
Fort White, FL 32038
(386) 344-6301
Gr: PK-5 | 644 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #88.
Richardson Sixth Grade Academy
(Math: 50% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
646 Se Pennsylvania St
Lake City, FL 32025
(386) 755-8130
Lake City, FL 32025
(386) 755-8130
Gr: 6 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #99.
Columbia Virtual Instruction Program
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
372 W Duval St
Lake City, FL 32055
(386) 755-8020
Lake City, FL 32055
(386) 755-8020
Gr: K-12
Rank: #1010.
Lake City Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
843 Sw Arlington Blvd
Lake City, FL 32025
(386) 758-4800
Lake City, FL 32025
(386) 758-4800
Gr: 7-8 | 809 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1111.
Columbia Virtual Instruction Program (District Provided)
(Math: <50% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
372 W Duval St
Lake City, FL 32055
(386) 755-8053
Lake City, FL 32055
(386) 755-8053
Gr: 5-12 | 7 students
Rank: #1212.
Five Points Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
303 Nw Johnson St
Lake City, FL 32055
(386) 755-8230
Lake City, FL 32055
(386) 755-8230
Gr: PK-5 | 349 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1313.
Fort White High School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
17828 Sw State Road 47
Fort White, FL 32038
(386) 319-7272
Fort White, FL 32038
(386) 319-7272
Gr: 6-12 | 1,101 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1414.
Melrose Park Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
820 Se Putnam St
Lake City, FL 32025
(386) 755-8260
Lake City, FL 32025
(386) 755-8260
Gr: PK-5 | 635 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #1515.
Columbia High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
469 Se Fighting Tiger Dr
Lake City, FL 32025
(386) 755-8080
Lake City, FL 32025
(386) 755-8080
Gr: 9-12 | 1,711 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1616.
Pathways Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1301 Nw Labonte Ln
Lake City, FL 32055
(386) 755-8296
Lake City, FL 32055
(386) 755-8296
Gr: 6-12 | 94 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: n/an/a
Prek Ese
Special Education School
444 W Duval St
Lake City, FL 32055
(386) 755-8049
Lake City, FL 32055
(386) 755-8049
Gr: PK | 7 students Minority enrollment: 57%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Columbia County, FL?
The top-ranked public schools in Columbia County, FL include Belmont Academy, Westside Elementary School and Pinemount Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Columbia County?
19 public schools are located in Columbia County.
What percentage of students in Columbia County go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Columbia County are educated in public schools (compared to the FL state average of 86%).
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia County?
Columbia County public schools minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Florida public schools average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Columbia County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Columbia County include: Columbia High School vs. Fort White High School, Fort White High School vs. Columbia High School, Columbia Virtual Instruction Program vs. Lake City Middle School
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