Columbia Middle School

Summary:

Columbia Middle School is a public middle school located in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, serving grades 6-8 with a student population of around 560. The school is part of the Berkeley Heights School District, which is ranked 75 out of 615 districts in New Jersey and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Columbia Middle School consistently ranks among the top middle schools in New Jersey, ranking as high as 15th out of 652 schools in the 2020-2021 school year. The school's students perform exceptionally well on standardized tests, with a large percentage of students scoring proficient or better in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics across all grade levels. For example, in 2022-2023, 84.7% of 7th graders and 83.5% of 8th graders scored proficient or better in ELA, significantly outperforming the state averages. In Mathematics, 72.7% of 7th graders and 69.8% of Algebra I students scored proficient or better, again exceeding the state averages. The school's performance in Algebra I and Geometry is particularly noteworthy, with 100% of 7th grade Algebra I students and 95.3% of 8th grade Geometry students scoring proficient or better.

Columbia Middle School outperforms many of the nearby middle schools, such as Roosevelt Intermediate School, Deerfield Elementary School, and Warren Middle School, in academic metrics like ELA and Mathematics proficiency rates. The school's performance is particularly strong for certain student subgroups, such as Asian, Hispanic, and Special Education students, ranking among the top middle schools in New Jersey for these subgroups. This sustained excellence is a testament to the school's commitment to providing a quality education and the hard work of its students, teachers, and staff.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 345 Plainfield Ave
       Berkeley Hts, NJ  07922-1436


(908) 464-1600

District: Berkeley Heights School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
73rd of 748 New Jersey Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,202 Help


Students who attend Columbia Middle School usually attend:

High:    Governor Livingston High School

Feeder schools for Columbia Middle School:

Elementary:    Mary Kay McMillin Early Childhood Center
    Mountain Park School
    Thomas P. Hughes School
    William Woodruff School

Student/teacher ratio:  10.6 Help
Number of students:  560

Racial breakdown:

White:
60.4%
Asian:
18.9%
Hispanic:
12.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  0.7% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Columbia Middle School ranks better than 90.2% of middle schools in New Jersey. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 85.72. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Columbia Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (60.4%), Asian (18.9%), Hispanic (12.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 0.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Columbia Middle School is 10.6. (See more...)
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Compare Columbia Middle School employs 52.4 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Columbia Middle School is $10,202.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Columbia Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Columbia Middle School 73rd of 748 New Jersey public middle schools. (See Columbia Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Female students:
Male students:
Asian students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Berkeley Heights School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Berkeley Heights School District 75th of 615 New Jersey school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Columbia Middle School

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Rank History for all students at Columbia Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 89.65 8th 574 98.6%
2004 84.77 55th 588 90.6%
2005 85.18 58th 599 90.3%
2006 83.81 72nd 615 88.3%
2007 82.79 62nd 631 90.2%
2008 84.02 61st 640 90.5%
2009 84.73 51st 664 92.3%
2010 84.93 66th 677 90.3%
2011 86.44 37th 684 94.6%
2012 88.31 23rd 677 96.6%
2013 85.07 60th 704 91.5%
2014 83.87 81st 717 88.7%
2015 70.17 171st 713 76.0%
2016 72.14 176th 713 75.3%
2017 86.43 60th 712 91.6%
2018 86.42 56th 716 92.2%
2019 81.22 114th 745 84.7%
2021 96.34 15th 652 97.7%
2022 86.35 67th 745 91.0%
2023 85.72 73rd 748 90.2%
See the entire list of New Jersey Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Columbia Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 72.43 84th 471 82.2%
2019 65.46 115th 492 76.6%
2021 90.69 11th 401 97.3%
2022 79.11 54th 535 89.9%
2023 77.11 52nd 505 89.7%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Female students at Columbia Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 89.49 37th 680 94.6%
2019 85.28 78th 703 88.9%
2021 92.85 25th 625 96.0%
2022 89.35 50th 726 93.1%
2023 90.32 44th 720 93.9%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Columbia Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 91.73 37th 675 94.5%
2019 85.77 78th 697 88.8%
2021 97.69 4th 635 99.4%
2022 93.50 34th 730 95.3%
2023 93.07 31st 718 95.7%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Columbia Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 81.26 15th 200 92.5%
2019 81.18 20th 199 89.9%
2022 83.82 18th 200 91.0%
2023 80.87 26th 201 87.1%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Columbia Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 92.05 12th 504 97.6%
2019 78.00 73rd 524 86.1%
2021 97.18 8th 480 98.3%
2022 95.28 13th 591 97.8%
2023 91.47 26th 587 95.6%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Columbia Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 83.80 42nd 497 91.5%
2019 74.86 100th 504 80.2%
2021 90.23 20th 435 95.4%
2022 81.15 67th 512 86.9%
2023 83.47 49th 509 90.4%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for White Students!

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

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Columbia Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: New Jersey Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Columbia Middle School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 261 4 8 1 0 n/a n/a 0 274
1989 258 7 19 4 0 n/a n/a 0 288
1990 249 3 27 1 0 n/a n/a 0 280
1991 232 2 25 2 0 n/a n/a 0 261
1992 216 2 20 5 0 n/a n/a 0 243
1993 229 2 14 6 0 n/a n/a 0 251
1994 324 3 56 12 0 n/a n/a 0 395
1995 335 0 44 15 0 n/a n/a 0 394
1996 335 0 44 15 0 n/a n/a 0 394
1998 404 0 33 18 0 n/a n/a 0 455
1999 437 1 36 19 0 n/a n/a 0 493
2000 457 2 32 17 0 n/a n/a 0 508
2001 509 4 34 10 0 n/a n/a 0 557
2002 498 2 52 28 0 n/a n/a 0 580
2003 498 2 52 28 0 n/a n/a 0 580
2004 488 3 58 33 0 n/a n/a 0 582
2005 514 2 56 47 0 n/a n/a 0 619
2006 508 2 51 28 0 n/a n/a 0 589
2007 552 2 36 21 1 n/a n/a 0 612
2008 552 2 49 22 1 n/a n/a 0 626
2009 543 6 51 25 0 0 0 0 625
2010 505 3 65 25 0 0 0 0 598
2011 510 4 70 22 0 0 0 0 606
2012 509 7 82 29 0 0 0 0 627
2013 507 6 74 30 0 1 0 0 618
2014 491 9 81 35 0 1 0 0 617
2015 460 11 79 37 1 1 3 0 592
2016 392 10 86 50 2 0 28 0 568
2017 372 6 84 59 2 0 30 0 553
2018 376 2 108 52 1 0 27 0 566
2019 405 6 109 60 0 0 21 0 601
2020 373 7 115 64 0 0 24 0 583
2021 346 8 97 67 0 1 25 0 544
2022 337 11 101 69 0 0 25 0 543
2023 338 13 106 69 0 0 34 0 560

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 Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 274 27.0 10.1 n/a
1989 288 27.0 10.6 n/a
1990 280 28.0 10.0 0.4
1991 261 29.0 9.0 0.4
1992 243 28.0 8.6 0.4
1993 251 21.1 11.9 1.2
1994 395 31.5 12.5 1
1995 394 35.7 11.0 0.5
1996 394 35.7 11.0 0.5
1998 455 38.2 11.9 1.3
1999 493 39.2 12.6 0.8
2000 508 39.5 12.9 1
2001 557 41.0 13.6 1.1
2002 580 44.9 12.9 1
2003 580 44.9 12.9 1
2004 582 43.4 13.4 1
2005 619 45.0 13.8 n/a
2006 589 45.4 13.0 2
2007 612 44.4 13.8 1.8
2008 626 40.0 15.7 1.6
2009 625 45.0 12.2 1.4
2010 598 47.0 12.7 1.5
2011 606 45.0 13.4 0.5
2012 627 47.8 13.0 1
2013 618 47.3 13.0 2.4
2014 617 49.8 12.3 1.6
2015 592 51.0 11.6 2.2
2016 568 49.0 11.5 2.8
2017 553 48.9 11.2 2.2
2018 566 49.6 11.4 2.3
2019 601 56.7 10.5 1.5
2020 583 53.6 10.8 1.2
2021 544 57.9 9.3 1.3
2022 543 51.4 10.5 1.5
2023 560 52.4 10.6 0.7

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 Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 274 27.0 10.1 n/a
1989 288 27.0 10.6 n/a
1990 280 28.0 10.0 0.4
1991 261 29.0 9.0 0.4
1992 243 28.0 8.6 0.4
1993 251 21.1 11.9 1.2
1994 395 31.5 12.5 1
1995 394 35.7 11.0 0.5
1996 394 35.7 11.0 0.5
1998 455 38.2 11.9 1.3
1999 493 39.2 12.6 0.8
2000 508 39.5 12.9 1
2001 557 41.0 13.6 1.1
2002 580 44.9 12.9 1
2003 580 44.9 12.9 1
2004 582 43.4 13.4 1
2005 619 45.0 13.8 n/a
2006 589 45.4 13.0 2
2007 612 44.4 13.8 1.8
2008 626 40.0 15.7 1.6
2009 625 45.0 12.2 1.4
2010 598 47.0 12.7 1.5
2011 606 45.0 13.4 0.5
2012 627 47.8 13.0 1
2013 618 47.3 13.0 2.4
2014 617 49.8 12.3 1.6
2015 592 51.0 11.6 2.2
2016 568 49.0 11.5 2.8
2017 553 48.9 11.2 2.2
2018 566 49.6 11.4 2.3
2019 601 56.7 10.5 1.5
2020 583 53.6 10.8 1.2
2021 544 57.9 9.3 1.3
2022 543 51.4 10.5 1.5
2023 560 52.4 10.6 0.7

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 Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $41 (0.4%) $10,161 (99.6%) $10,202

Data source: New Jersey Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Columbia Middle 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 114th of 745 Middle schoolsRanks 73rd of 748 Middle schools
 5.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Columbia Middle School)73.573.9
 0.4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Berkeley Heights School District)73.573.9
 0.4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)56.149
 7.1%
6th Grade Mathematics (Columbia Middle School)54.163.5
 9.4%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Berkeley Heights School District)54.163.5
 9.4%
   6th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)40.634.3
 6.3%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Columbia Middle School)86.884.7
 2.1%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Berkeley Heights School District)86.884.7
 2.1%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)62.855.7
 7.1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Columbia Middle School)73.572.7
 0.8%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Berkeley Heights School District)73.572.7
 0.8%
   7th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)42.133.8
 8.3%
7th Grade Algebra I (Columbia Middle School)100100
   7th Grade Algebra I (Berkeley Heights School District)100100
   7th Grade Algebra I (New Jersey)9589.4
 5.6%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Columbia Middle School)87.983.5
 4.4%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Berkeley Heights School District)87.983.5
 4.4%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)62.955.3
 7.6%
8th Grade Algebra I (Columbia Middle School)75.965.9
 10%
   8th Grade Algebra I (Berkeley Heights School District)75.965.9
 10%
   8th Grade Algebra I (New Jersey)75.166
 9.1%
8th Grade Geometry (Columbia Middle School)94.395.3
 1%
   8th Grade Geometry (Berkeley Heights School District)94.395.3
 1%
   8th Grade Geometry (New Jersey)93.480.8
 12.6%
End of Course Algebra I (Columbia Middle School)79.469.8
 9.6%
   End of Course Algebra I (Berkeley Heights School District)64.259.3
 4.9%
   End of Course Algebra I (New Jersey)43.335.1
 8.2%
End of Course Geometry (Columbia Middle School)95.195.3
 0.2%
   End of Course Geometry (Berkeley Heights School District)55.453.4
 2%
   End of Course Geometry (New Jersey)32.251.2
 19%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students601560
 6.8%
African American613
 116.7%
American Indian00
Asian109106
 2.8%
Hispanic6069
 15%
Pacific Islander00
White405338
 16.5%
Two or More Races2134
 61.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients1.5%0.7%
 0.8%


Schools Near Columbia Middle School









Frequently Asked Questions about Columbia Middle School

Yes. Columbia Middle School ranks in the top 9.8% of New Jersey middle schools.

Students at Columbia Middle School are 60% White, 19% Asian, 12% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 2% African American.

In the 2022-23 school year, 560 students attended Columbia Middle School.

Students who attend Columbia Middle School usually go on to attend Governor Livingston High 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 New Jersey 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.





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