Summary
Columbia Elementary School in Madison, AL, serves 701 students in Kindergarten through 5th grade and is part of the highly-rated Madison City school district, which ranks 11th in Alabama.
Columbia Elementary is a strong, historically high-performing school with several standout strengths. Most notably, the school provides exceptional support for special education students, ranking in the 95th percentile statewide—a remarkable achievement. The school also boasts one of the lowest chronic absenteeism rates in the region at just 4.6%, roughly half the district average, indicating a highly engaged student body. In math, Columbia excels in the upper grades, with 5th graders scoring 68% proficient, which is more than 6 points above the district average and nearly 30 points above the state average. The school has also shown dramatic improvement in supporting students from low-income backgrounds, jumping nearly 190 spots in statewide rankings in a single year. Additionally, Columbia operates efficiently, spending about $9,802 per student—less than several nearby schools like Horizon Elementary School and Madison Elementary School—while still achieving strong results.
While Columbia remains an excellent choice, it faces a few challenges worth noting. The school has experienced a gradual decline from its former top-30 statewide status, now ranking 72nd, though it still sits in the 90th percentile. Upper-grade English scores lag the district average by 3-5 percentage points, and 4th grade science scores trail the district by about 4 points. When compared to its closest neighbor, Heritage Elementary School, Columbia has historically ranked slightly lower, though the gap is narrowing. Overall, Columbia Elementary offers a well-rounded, supportive environment with particular strengths in special education, attendance, and math, making it a solid option for families in the Madison area.
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