Middle Schools in Columbia

The Columbia school district in Florida is home to two middle schools: Lake City Middle School and Richardson Sixth Grade Academy. These schools serve students in grades 6-8 and provide a crucial educational foundation for the community.

Based on the available data, Lake City Middle School appears to be the standout performer in the district. It has a higher statewide ranking, ranging from 562 to 606 out of 1,205 Florida middle schools, and is rated 3 out of 5 stars by SchoolDigger. The school's test scores generally outperform the district and state averages in subjects like Algebra 1, Civics, and Science. In contrast, Richardson Sixth Grade Academy has a lower statewide ranking, ranging from 731 to 843 out of 997-1,031 Florida middle schools, and is rated only 1 out of 5 stars.

Both schools face challenges, such as high chronic absenteeism rates of 31.4%, which are significantly higher than the state average. Additionally, the schools serve communities with lower socioeconomic status, as evidenced by the high percentages of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, at 68.01% for Lake City Middle School and 67.86% for Richardson Sixth Grade Academy. While Richardson Sixth Grade Academy has a higher per-student spending and lower student-teacher ratio, these factors do not seem to translate into better academic performance compared to Lake City Middle School.