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Columbia Borough School District

Item: Columbia Borough School District
Rating: 2
Author: Public School Review

200 N. Fifth St.
Columbia, PA 17512

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (717) 684-2283

www.columbiabsd.org

Top Rankings

Columbia Borough School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Pennsylvania for:

Overview

This School District

This State (PA)

# Schools

4 Schools

2,929 Schools

# Students

1,312 Students

1,665,424 Students

# Teachers

99 Teachers

124,094 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

13:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Columbia Borough School District	Pennsylvania
Kind	101	150
1	111	158
2	102	161
3	92	169
4	103	162
5	88	168
6	116	169
7	117	171
8	85	173
9	124	185
10	90	181
11	90	178
12	93	177

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District Rank

Columbia Borough School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 677 school districts in Pennsylvania (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 67% has decreased from 75-79% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (PA)

#559 out of 685 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Columbia Borough School District
2023	#559
2022	#559
2021	#537
2019	#576
2018	#562
2017	#550
2016	#541
2015	#538
2014	#549
2013	#558
2012	#463
2011	#478
2010	#478

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14%

38%

View Data

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Columbia Borough School District	Pennsylvania
2023	14%	38%
2022	13%	36%
2021	14%	38%
2019	25%	45%
2018	25%	45%
2017	24%	46%
2016	24%	46%
2015	24%	43%
2014	56%	72%
2013	56%	73%
2012	65%	74%
2011	64%	76%
2010	63%	75%

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35%

55%

View Data

Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Columbia Borough School District	Pennsylvania
2022	35%	55%
2021	32%	55%
2019	44%	62%
2018	25%	63%
2017	45%	63%
2016	45%	62%
2015	43%	62%
2014	55%	70%
2013	52%	70%
2012	55%	71%
2011	56%	73%
2010	61%	72%

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39%

57%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Columbia Borough School District	Pennsylvania
2022	39%	57%
2021	37%	64%

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67%

87.5%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Columbia Borough School District	Pennsylvania
2023	67%	87%
2022	77%	87%
2021	67%	87%
2020	72%	87%
2019	77%	86%
2018	77%	86%
2017	72%	86%
2016	67%	86%
2015	62%	86%
2014	77%	86%
2013	62%	85%
2012	77%	84%
2011	72%	85%

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(2022-23)

29.4%

23.3%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Columbia Borough School District	Pennsylvania
2023	29.4%	23.3%
2022	33.2%	26.6%
2021	41.6%	18.9%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.68

0.60

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Columbia Borough School District	Pennsylvania
2023	0.64	0.58
2022	0.65	0.57
2021	0.64	0.57
2020	0.62	0.55
2019	0.62	0.54
2018	0.58	0.53
2017	0.58	0.52
2016	0.57	0.51
2015	0.52	0.51
2014	0.54	0.49
2013	0.53	0.48
2012	0.50	0.47
2011	0.47	0.46
2010	0.44	0.44
2009	0.43	0.44
2008	0.41	0.43
2007	0.41	0.41
2006	0.41	0.41
2005	0.42	0.40
2004	0.36	0.40
2003	0.36	0.38
2002	0.33	0.37
2001	0.32	0.37
2000	0.28	0.35
1999	0.27	0.35
1998	0.25	0.34
1997	0.23	0.34
1996	0.22	0.33
1995	0.21	0.33
1994	0.22	0.33
1993	0.22	0.31
1992	0.18	0.31
1991	0.19	0.31
1990	0.19	0.30
1989	0.16	0.30
1988	0.11	0.30

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% American Indian

n/a

% Asian

View Data

Showing 2008–2022. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Asian Student Percentage Comparison (1989-2022)
Year	Columbia Borough School District	Pennsylvania
2022	1%	4%
2020	1%	4%
2019	1%	4%
2014	1%	3%
2013	1%	4%
2012	1%	3%
2011	2%	3%
2010	2%	3%
2009	2%	3%
2008	1%	3%
2007	1%	2%
2006	1%	3%
2005	2%	2%
2004	2%	2%
2003	1%	2%
2002	1%	2%
2001	2%	2%
1999	1%	2%
1991	1%	2%
1990	1%	1%
1989	1%	1%

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% Hispanic

42%

16%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)
Year	Columbia Borough School District	Pennsylvania
2023	40%	14%
2022	38%	14%
2021	37%	13%
2020	33%	13%
2019	33%	12%
2018	28%	11%
2017	28%	11%
2016	26%	10%
2015	22%	10%
2014	21%	10%
2013	22%	9%
2012	19%	9%
2011	16%	8%
2010	15%	8%
2009	14%	8%
2008	14%	7%
2007	13%	7%
2006	13%	6%
2005	13%	6%
2004	10%	6%
2003	9%	5%
2002	9%	5%
2001	7%	5%
2000	6%	4%
1999	5%	4%
1998	7%	4%
1997	6%	4%
1996	5%	3%
1995	5%	3%
1994	5%	3%
1993	5%	3%
1992	4%	3%
1991	3%	3%
1990	4%	3%
1989	2%	3%
1988	1%	2%

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% Black

10%

14%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Black Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)
Year	Columbia Borough School District	Pennsylvania
2023	7%	14%
2022	8%	14%
2021	8%	15%
2020	8%	15%
2019	8%	15%
2018	8%	15%
2017	8%	15%
2016	9%	15%
2015	7%	15%
2014	9%	15%
2013	9%	15%
2012	10%	15%
2011	12%	15%
2010	11%	16%
2009	11%	16%
2008	10%	16%
2007	11%	16%
2006	11%	16%
2005	11%	16%
2004	9%	16%
2003	11%	16%
2002	10%	15%
2001	10%	15%
2000	10%	15%
1999	9%	15%
1998	7%	14%
1997	7%	14%
1996	7%	14%
1995	6%	14%
1994	7%	14%
1993	7%	13%
1992	6%	13%
1991	6%	13%
1990	6%	13%
1989	6%	13%
1988	5%	13%

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% White

36%

60%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

White Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)
Year	Columbia Borough School District	Pennsylvania
2023	44%	62%
2022	45%	63%
2021	47%	63%
2020	52%	64%
2019	52%	65%
2018	58%	66%
2017	58%	67%
2016	60%	68%
2015	66%	68%
2014	64%	69%
2013	65%	70%
2012	68%	71%
2011	70%	72%
2010	72%	73%
2009	73%	73%
2008	75%	74%
2007	75%	75%
2006	75%	75%
2005	74%	76%
2004	79%	76%
2003	79%	77%
2002	80%	78%
2001	81%	78%
2000	84%	79%
1999	85%	79%
1998	86%	80%
1997	87%	80%
1996	88%	81%
1995	89%	81%
1994	88%	81%
1993	88%	82%
1992	90%	82%
1991	90%	82%
1990	89%	83%
1989	91%	83%
1988	94%	83%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

11%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison (2012-2023)
Year	Columbia Borough School District	Pennsylvania
2023	9%	5%
2022	8%	5%
2021	8%	5%
2020	6%	4%
2019	6%	4%
2018	6%	4%
2017	6%	3%
2016	5%	3%
2015	5%	3%
2014	5%	3%
2013	3%	2%
2012	2%	2%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $27,693 is higher than the state median of $26,978. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $24,958 is less than the state median of $26,274. The school district spending/student has grown by 14% over four school years.

This School District

This State (PA)

Total Revenue

$36 MM

$44,930 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Columbia Borough School District	Pennsylvania
2023	$36 MM	$30 MM
2022	$34 MM	$29 MM
2021	$29 MM	$27 MM
2020	$28 MM	$25 MM
2019	$27 MM	$25 MM
2018	$26 MM	$24 MM
2017	$25 MM	$24 MM
2016	$24 MM	$23 MM
2015	$22 MM	$21 MM
2014	$22 MM	$21 MM
2012	$21 MM	$20 MM
2011	$22 MM	$21 MM
2010	$22 MM	$21 MM
2009	$20 MM	$21 MM
2008	$21 MM	$21 MM
2007	$20 MM	$20 MM
2006	$17 MM	$20 MM
2005	$15 MM	$18 MM
2004	$14 MM	$17 MM
2003	$13 MM	$16 MM
2002	$13 MM	$18 MM
2001	$12 MM	$19 MM
2000	$12 MM	$18 MM
1999	$11 MM	$18 MM
1998	$10 MM	$18 MM
1997	$10 MM	$17 MM
1996	$10 MM	$17 MM
1995	$9 MM	$16 MM
1992	$9 MM	$14 MM
1990	$8 MM	$12 MM

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Spending

$33 MM

$43,758 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Columbia Borough School District	Pennsylvania
2023	$33 MM	$30 MM
2022	$28 MM	$28 MM
2021	$24 MM	$25 MM
2020	$24 MM	$25 MM
2019	$25 MM	$25 MM
2018	$24 MM	$23 MM
2017	$23 MM	$23 MM
2016	$24 MM	$22 MM
2015	$32 MM	$20 MM
2014	$21 MM	$20 MM
2012	$20 MM	$19 MM
2011	$25 MM	$21 MM
2010	$32 MM	$20 MM
2009	$20 MM	$20 MM
2008	$18 MM	$20 MM
2007	$19 MM	$19 MM
2006	$22 MM	$21 MM
2005	$20 MM	$18 MM
2004	$13 MM	$17 MM
2003	$12 MM	$18 MM
2002	$12 MM	$19 MM
2001	$11 MM	$21 MM
2000	$11 MM	$18 MM
1999	$11 MM	$18 MM
1998	$12 MM	$18 MM
1997	$9 MM	$18 MM
1996	$9 MM	$17 MM
1995	$9 MM	$16 MM
1992	$8 MM	$14 MM
1990	$11 MM	$12 MM

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Revenue / Student

$27,693

$26,978

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Columbia Borough School District	Pennsylvania
2023	$29,230	$24,520
2022	$26,540	$22,621
2021	$22,860	$20,683
2020	$20,757	$17,423
2019	$21,000	$17,496
2018	$20,520	$16,267
2017	$18,696	$17,283
2016	$18,176	$16,027
2015	$24,379	$12,967
2014	$16,780	$13,618
2012	$15,912	$12,923
2011	$16,240	$13,182
2010	$16,235	$12,967
2009	$14,820	$12,476
2008	$14,559	$11,970
2007	$13,379	$12,325
2006	$11,676	$11,373
2005	$10,591	$9,887
2004	$9,796	$9,342
2003	$8,506	$8,561
2002	$8,324	$9,347
2001	$8,279	$9,246
2000	$8,155	$8,505
1999	$7,436	$8,127
1998	$6,844	$7,716
1997	$6,480	$7,409
1995	$6,612	$6,949
1992	$5,960	$6,008
1990	$5,278	$5,260

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Spending / Student

$24,958

$26,274

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Columbia Borough School District	Pennsylvania
2023	$26,344	$23,814
2022	$21,828	$21,674
2021	$19,045	$19,381
2020	$17,521	$17,371
2019	$18,812	$17,056
2018	$18,681	$15,644
2017	$16,742	$16,490
2016	$17,814	$15,754
2015	$35,261	$12,300
2014	$16,115	$13,435
2012	$15,211	$12,431
2011	$18,248	$12,980
2010	$23,481	$12,300
2009	$14,608	$11,944
2008	$12,250	$11,838
2007	$12,710	$11,937
2006	$15,089	$11,377
2005	$13,721	$9,707
2004	$8,798	$9,347
2003	$8,038	$9,243
2002	$7,659	$9,853
2001	$7,319	$10,315
2000	$7,382	$8,598
1999	$7,364	$8,268
1998	$7,828	$7,996
1997	$6,360	$7,728
1995	$6,243	$6,895
1992	$5,515	$6,055
1990	$7,289	$5,391

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Best Columbia Borough School District Public Schools (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Park Elementary School

(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 29%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

50 S 6th St
Columbia, PA 17512
(717) 684-9780

Gr: K-4 | 511 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 66%

Rank: #22.

Columbia High School

(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-34%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

901 Ironville Pike
Columbia, PA 17512
(717) 684-7500

Gr: 9-12 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 59%

Rank: n/an/a

Columbia Middle School Hill Campus

Add to Compare

901 Ironville Pike
Columbia, PA 17512
(717) 684-7500

Gr: 7-8 | 202 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 64%

Rank: n/an/a

Columbia Middle School Taylor Campus

Add to Compare

45 N 9th St
Columbia, PA 17512
(717) 684-4010

Gr: 5-6 | 202 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 65%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Columbia Borough School District?

Columbia Borough School District manages 4 public schools serving 1,312 students.

What is the rank of Columbia Borough School District?

Columbia Borough School District is ranked #589 out of 677 school districts in Pennsylvania (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Pennsylvania school districts for: Most diverse schools (Top 1%)

What is the racial composition of students in Columbia Borough School District?

42% of Columbia Borough School District students are Hispanic, 36% of students are White, 11% of students are Two or more races, 10% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Asian.

What is the student/teacher ratio of Columbia Borough School District?

Columbia Borough School District has a student/teacher ratio of 13:1, which is equal to the Pennsylvania state average of 13:1.

What is Columbia Borough School District's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $24,958 is less than the state median of $26,274. The school district spending/student has grown by 14% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (26-27)

District size: 4 schools
Grades: K-12
Enrollment: 1,312 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
Minority Enrollment: 63%
: 67% (Btm 50% in PA)
: Bottom 50%
: 14% (Btm 50%)
: 35% (Btm 50%)
: 39% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education