For the 2024 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 6,911 students in Columbia, TN (there are 8 private schools, serving 2,125 private students). 76% of all K-12 students in Columbia, TN are educated in public schools (compared to the TN state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Columbia, TN are J E Woodard Elementary School, J. R. Baker Elementary School and Spring Hill High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbia, TN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 16% (versus the Tennessee public school average of 31%), and reading proficiency score of 21% (versus the 37% statewide average). Schools in Columbia have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Tennessee public schools.
Minority enrollment is 47% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Tennessee public school average of 40% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Columbia, TN (2024)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
J E Woodard Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
207 Rutherford Ln
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 380-2872
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 380-2872
Grades: PK-4
| 549 students
Rank: #22.
J. R. Baker Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1301 Hamphire Pike
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 388-3319
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 388-3319
Grades: PK-4
| 338 students
Rank: #33.
Spring Hill High School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
One Raider Ln
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 486-2207
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 486-2207
Grades: 9-12
| 1,169 students
Rank: #44.
Riverside Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
203 Carter St
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 840-4422
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 840-4422
Grades: PK-4
| 408 students
Rank: #55.
R Howell Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
653 Bear Creek Pike
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 540-1032
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 540-1032
Grades: PK-4
| 614 students
Rank: #66.
Highland Park Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1606 Highland Ave
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 388-7325
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 388-7325
Grades: PK-4
| 291 students
Rank: #77.
Virtual Of Maury County
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1101 Bridge St
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 840-4432
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 840-4432
Grades: 7-12
| 101 students
Rank: #88.
Whitthorne Middle School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
915 Lion Pkwy
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 388-2558
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 388-2558
Grades: 5-8
| 982 students
Rank: #99.
J. Brown Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
301 Cord Dr
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 388-3601
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 388-3601
Grades: PK-4
| 344 students
Rank: #1010.
Columbia Central High School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
921 Lion Pkwy
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 381-2222
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 381-2222
Grades: 9-12
| 1,423 students
Rank: #1111.
E. A. Cox Middle School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 13%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
633 Bear Creek Pike
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 840-3902
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 840-3902
Grades: 5-8
| 692 students
Columbia, Tennessee Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
714 West 7th St
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 840-4418
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 840-4418
Grades: PK-4
| 335 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Columbia, TN?
The top ranked public schools in Columbia, TN include J E Woodard Elementary School, J. R. Baker Elementary School and Spring Hill High School.
How many public schools are located in Columbia, TN?
11 public schools are located in Columbia, TN.
What percentage of students in Columbia, TN go to public school?
76% of all K-12 students in Columbia, TN are educated in public schools (compared to the TN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia, TN?
Columbia, TN public schools minority enrollment is 47% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Tennessee public schools average of 40% (majority Black).
Recent Articles
Should Teacher Salaries be Public Information?
Public school teachers are considered public servants – but does that make their salary details public information? Learn about the heated debate surrounding whether teacher salaries should be made public.
The Link Between Education and Incarceration: The NAACP Report
Education and the rate of incarceration have been linked in a recent NAACP report. Learn about the report and the troubling findings.
Bussing: North Carolina's New Student Assignment Plan
We analyze a new plan for student assignment in two North Carolina school districts and the public reaction to the idea of bussing students – as well as alternatives that have been proposed by education experts.
