Columbia Elementary School

Summary:

Columbia Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Decatur, Georgia, serving grades PK-5 with a total enrollment of 412 students. The school is part of the DeKalb County School District, which is ranked 138 out of 203 districts in Georgia and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Despite the school's higher spending per student compared to the state average, Columbia Elementary consistently performs significantly below the DeKalb County and Georgia state averages in standardized test scores across all grade levels and subjects. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, only 10.5% of 3rd graders, 7.5% of 4th graders, and 28.8% of 5th graders were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 31.6%, 30.5%, and 40.8% for DeKalb County, respectively. The school has been ranked in the bottom 10% of Georgia elementary schools for the past several years, with a ranking of 1107 out of 1248 schools in the 2023-2024 school year, and a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

The extremely high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch at Columbia Elementary School (100%) is likely a significant factor in the school's low academic performance, as research has shown that students from low-income backgrounds often face additional challenges that can impact their educational outcomes. When comparing Columbia Elementary School to the nearby Kelley Lake Elementary School and Canby Lane Elementary School, both of which are within a 2-mile radius, the latter two schools have significantly higher proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Mathematics, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and support to help Columbia Elementary School improve its academic performance.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

3230 Columbia Woods Dr
Decatur, GA 30032

(678) 874-0702

District: DeKalb County

SchoolDigger Rank:
1107^th of 1,248 Georgia Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $13,071

Students who attend Columbia Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Columbia Middle School
High:	Columbia High School

Student/teacher ratio: 11.5

Number of students: 388

Racial breakdown:

African American:

89.4%

Hispanic:

5.9%

Two or more races:

2.3%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 100%

See top rated Georgia elementary schools

Compare Columbia Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Columbia Elementary School ranks worse than 88.7% of elementary schools in Georgia. It also ranks 59^th among 79 ranked elementary schools in the DeKalb County School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 14.39. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (89.4%), Hispanic (5.9%), two or more races (2.3%). (See more...)

Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Columbia Elementary School is 11.5, which is the 13^th best among 79 elementary schools in the DeKalb County School District. (See more...)

Compare Columbia Elementary School employs 33.7 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Columbia Elementary School is $13,071, which is the 25^th highest among 79 elementary schools in the DeKalb County School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Columbia Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

DeKalb County:

SchoolDigger ranks DeKalb County 138^th of 203 Georgia school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Columbia Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	GA State Percentile
2006	7.67	1061^st	1101	3.6%
2007	5.67	1093^rd	1125	2.8%
2008	9.35	1077^th	1134	5.0%
2009	7.65	1098^th	1133	3.1%
2010	8.45	1127^th	1183	4.7%
2011	5.29	1170^th	1212	3.5%
2012	8.17	1126^th	1201	6.2%
2013	5.77	1177^th	1225	3.9%
2014	15.85	1089^th	1231	11.5%
2015	11.65	1146^th	1240	7.6%
2016	9.93	1168^th	1233	5.3%
2017	10.79	1110^th	1205	7.9%
2018	10.19	1123^rd	1209	7.1%
2019	10.23	1139^th	1234	7.7%
2021	9.44	1142^nd	1214	5.9%
2022	11.63	1136^th	1244	8.7%
2023	12.58	1133^rd	1242	8.8%
2024	14.39	1107^th	1248	11.3%

See the entire list of Georgia Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Georgia Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

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Reviews:
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Enrollment information for Columbia Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1989	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	727	727
1991	0	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	618	618
1992	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	603	603
1993	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	573	573
1994	2	587	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	589
1995	5	710	1	2	2	n/a	n/a	0	720
1996	5	710	1	2	2	n/a	n/a	0	720
1997	11	740	0	0	1	n/a	n/a	0	752
1998	5	702	0	4	2	n/a	n/a	0	713
1999	7	698	0	0	1	n/a	n/a	0	706
2000	6	598	1	3	1	n/a	n/a	0	609
2001	6	588	2	2	1	n/a	n/a	0	599
2002	2	481	1	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	485
2003	2	481	1	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	485
2004	3	511	1	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	518
2005	2	448	1	3	0	n/a	n/a	7	461
2006	4	453	1	3	0	n/a	n/a	4	465
2007	1	450	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	5	456
2008	0	503	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	8	511
2009	0	595	0	0	1	n/a	n/a	6	602
2010	0	555	0	4	2	0	1	0	562
2011	4	541	0	7	2	0	1	0	555
2012	2	542	0	4	0	1	8	0	557
2013	3	562	0	5	0	1	6	0	577
2014	1	583	2	5	0	1	6	0	598
2015	1	584	2	6	0	0	2	0	595
2016	1	551	2	5	0	0	2	0	561
2017	1	568	2	6	7	0	4	0	588
2018	2	534	1	18	2	0	5	0	562
2019	2	545	1	13	3	0	9	0	573
2020	1	512	0	10	1	0	4	0	528
2021	0	411	0	10	1	0	2	0	424
2022	0	393	1	12	3	0	9	0	418
2023	0	377	1	26	2	0	6	0	412
2024	5	347	1	23	3	0	9	0	388

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Columbia Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	727	38.0	19.1	37.6
1991	618	38.0	16.2	45.1
1992	603	38.0	15.8	46.3
1993	573	35.0	16.4	55.1
1994	589	35.3	16.7	59.1
1995	720	39.0	18.5	75
1996	720	39.0	18.5	75
1997	752	43.0	17.5	81.6
1998	713	45.8	15.6	66.8
1999	706	42.1	16.8	82
2000	609	38.2	15.9	83.3
2001	599	33.0	18.2	85.1
2002	485	33.8	14.3	89.9
2003	485	33.8	14.3	89.9
2004	518	37.0	14.0	88.6
2005	461	32.8	14.1	88.5
2006	465	32.8	14.2	91.5
2007	456	33.8	13.5	92.9
2008	511	31.8	16.1	90.5
2009	602	37.8	15.9	93.5
2010	562	34.8	16.1	91.3
2011	555	32.8	16.9	93.5
2012	557	39.5	14.1	93.4
2013	577	35.3	16.3	97.6
2014	598	38.3	15.6	98.5
2015	595	40.0	14.8	98.5
2016	561	40.0	14.0	99.5
2017	588	40.2	14.6	100
2018	562	41.2	13.6	100
2019	573	40.7	14.0	100
2020	528	40.7	12.9	99.2
2021	424	40.7	10.4	99.3
2022	418	35.7	11.7	n/a
2023	412	34.7	11.8	100
2024	388	33.7	11.5	100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Columbia Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	727	38.0	19.1	37.6
1991	618	38.0	16.2	45.1
1992	603	38.0	15.8	46.3
1993	573	35.0	16.4	55.1
1994	589	35.3	16.7	59.1
1995	720	39.0	18.5	75
1996	720	39.0	18.5	75
1997	752	43.0	17.5	81.6
1998	713	45.8	15.6	66.8
1999	706	42.1	16.8	82
2000	609	38.2	15.9	83.3
2001	599	33.0	18.2	85.1
2002	485	33.8	14.3	89.9
2003	485	33.8	14.3	89.9
2004	518	37.0	14.0	88.6
2005	461	32.8	14.1	88.5
2006	465	32.8	14.2	91.5
2007	456	33.8	13.5	92.9
2008	511	31.8	16.1	90.5
2009	602	37.8	15.9	93.5
2010	562	34.8	16.1	91.3
2011	555	32.8	16.9	93.5
2012	557	39.5	14.1	93.4
2013	577	35.3	16.3	97.6
2014	598	38.3	15.6	98.5
2015	595	40.0	14.8	98.5
2016	561	40.0	14.0	99.5
2017	588	40.2	14.6	100
2018	562	41.2	13.6	100
2019	573	40.7	14.0	100
2020	528	40.7	12.9	99.2
2021	424	40.7	10.4	99.3
2022	418	35.7	11.7	n/a
2023	412	34.7	11.8	100
2024	388	33.7	11.5	100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Columbia Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2017	$739 (6.8%)	$10,200 (93.2%)	$10,940
2018	$731 (6.3%)	$10,962 (93.8%)	$11,692
2019	$768 (5.9%)	$12,302 (94.1%)	$13,071

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Columbia Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 1139^th of 1234 Elementary schools	Ranks 1133^rd of 1242 Elementary schools	1.1%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Columbia Elementary School)	18.1	15.4	2.7%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (DeKalb County)	33.5	31.7	1.8%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	42	38.6	3.4%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Columbia Elementary School)	25.3	15.4	9.9%
3rd Grade Mathematics (DeKalb County)	40.1	33.8	6.3%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	52	45.6	6.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Columbia Elementary School)	13.4	14.5	1.1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (DeKalb County)	34.4	30.2	4.2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	42	36.1	5.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Columbia Elementary School)	18.8	31.7	12.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (DeKalb County)	35.5	33.9	1.6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	49	45.7	3.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Columbia Elementary School)	19.5	7	12.5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (DeKalb County)	37.4	33.9	3.5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	45	41.6	3.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Columbia Elementary School)	19.5	7	12.5%
5th Grade Mathematics (DeKalb County)	30.5	25.3	5.2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	41	37.4	3.6%
5th Grade Science (Columbia Elementary School)	6.9	1.8	5.1%
5th Grade Science (DeKalb County)	33.9	27.9	6%
5th Grade Science (Georgia)	43	40	3%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	573	412	28.1%
African American	545	377	30.8%
American Indian	3	2	33.3%
Asian	1	1
Hispanic	13	26	100%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	2	0	100%
Two or More Races	9	6	33.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	100%	100%

Schools Near Columbia Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				Milestones Assessment English Language Arts (2024)						Milestones Assessment Mathematics (2024)						Milestones Assessment Science (2024)		Milestones Assessment Social Studies (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 3rd Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 4th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 5th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 6th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 7th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 3rd Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 4th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 5th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 6th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 7th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Science 5th Grade	Milestones Assessment Science 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Social Studies 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Columbia Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3230 Columbia Woods Dr	Decatur	30032	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 874-0702	388	34	11.5	100.0%	5 (1.3%)	347 (89.4%)	23 (5.9%)	1 (0.3%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.3%)	14.4	1107^th of 1248 public elementary schools	11.3%		12.6	1133^rd of 1242 public elementary schools	8.8%	26	10.5	7.5	28.8				14.0	11.3	25.8				22.7			$13,071	$768	$12,303
Snapfinger Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1365 Snapfinger Rd	Decatur	30032	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 874-1802	429	30	14.4	100.0%	1 (0.2%)	387 (90.2%)	29 (6.8%)	4 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	7 (1.6%)	11	1170^th of 1248 public elementary schools	6.3%		9.4	1198^th of 1242 public elementary schools	3.5%	28	23.1	18.2	15.2				23.1	7.3	6.3				7.6			$12,352	$918	$11,434
Toney Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2701 Oakland Ter	Decatur	30032	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 874-2102	226	23	9.7	100.0%	6 (2.7%)	192 (85.0%)	17 (7.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (4.4%)	14.3	1109^th of 1248 public elementary schools	11.1%		12.9	1121^st of 1242 public elementary schools	9.7%	12	12.8	5.1	34.9				20.5	18.4	18.6				16.3			$15,626	$1,040	$14,586
Kelley Lake Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2590 Kelly Lake Rd	Decatur	30032	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 874-4802	233	24	9.9	100.0%	0 (0.0%)	184 (79.0%)	37 (15.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (5.2%)	36	757^th of 1248 public elementary schools	39.3%		48.9	559^th of 1242 public elementary schools	55.0%	198	27.3	24.3	32.1				24.2	56.8	35.7				28.6			$15,946	$969	$14,978
Flat Shoals Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3226 Flat Shoals Rd	Decatur	30034	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 874-4602	469	33	14.4	100.0%	1 (0.2%)	441 (94.0%)	13 (2.8%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (2.3%)	9.5	1200^th of 1248 public elementary schools	3.8%		7.4	1217^th of 1242 public elementary schools	2.0%	17	15.6	13.9	15.8				12.7	18.3	10.5				11.8			$12,534	$781	$11,753
Peachcrest Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1530 Joy Ln	Decatur	30032	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 874-1402	660	49	13.4	100.0%	16 (2.4%)	524 (79.4%)	62 (9.4%)	16 (2.4%)	7 (1.1%)	1 (0.2%)	34 (5.2%)	10.8	1174^th of 1248 public elementary schools	5.9%		9.6	1195^th of 1242 public elementary schools	3.8%	21	20.0	17.3	15.2				11.0	19.6	9.1				11.3			$3,535	$312	$3,223
Canby Lane Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4150 Green Hawk Trl	Decatur	30035	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 874-0602	427	30	14.3	100.0%	1 (0.2%)	361 (84.5%)	40 (9.4%)	12 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (3.0%)	23.9	947^th of 1248 public elementary schools	24.1%		27.2	883^rd of 1242 public elementary schools	28.9%	64	25.7	28.6	28.6				23.5	11.7	16.4				38.2			$13,200	$1,002	$12,197
Rainbow Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2801 Kelley Chapel Rd	Decatur	30034	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 874-1702	319	26	12.4	100.0%	0 (0.0%)	285 (89.3%)	21 (6.6%)	3 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (3.1%)	17.3	1055^th of 1248 public elementary schools	15.5%		21.9	976^th of 1242 public elementary schools	21.4%	79	8.2	22.0	33.3				18.4	24.4	24.1				14.8			$15,316	$957	$14,359
Bob Mathis Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3505 Boring Rd	Decatur	30034	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	No	No	No	Yes	(678) 874-5802	354	32	10.9	100.0%	3 (0.8%)	301 (85.0%)	30 (8.5%)	5 (1.4%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (4.0%)	23.9	946^th of 1248 public elementary schools	24.2%		20.6	997^th of 1242 public elementary schools	19.7%	51	20.4	17.0	48.1				18.8	28.3	18.9				24.5			$17,074	$940	$16,135
DeKalb Preparatory Academy Charter	Public, Charter	K-8	1402 Austin Dr	Decatur	30032	DeKalb County	DeKalb County	Yes	No	No	Yes	(404) 492-5061	562	34	16.5	83.1%	0 (0.0%)	531 (94.5%)	21 (3.7%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (1.4%)	17.1	1060^th of 1248 public elementary schools	15.1%		23.5	946^th of 1242 public elementary schools	23.8%	114	16.4	15.5	33.3	27.4	39.0	37.9	9.1	8.6	9.3	11.3	11.7	15.5	33.3	24.1	15.5	$12,806	$225	$12,580

Frequently Asked Questions about Columbia Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Columbia Elementary School?

Students at Columbia Elementary School are 89% African American, 6% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races, 1% White.

What schools do graduates of Columbia Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Columbia Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Columbia Middle School
High : Columbia High School

How many students attend Columbia Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 388 students attended Columbia Elementary School.

What district is Columbia Elementary School in?

DeKalb County

Is Columbia Elementary School a good school?

Columbia Elementary School ranks in the bottom 11.3% of Georgia elementary schools.

Rate Columbia Elementary School!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Georgia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.