Summary:
The 17512 zip code area is home to two middle schools - Columbia Middle School Taylor Campus and Columbia Middle School Hill Campus - both of which are part of the Columbia Borough School District. Unfortunately, the data paints a concerning picture, as both schools are struggling to meet state academic standards across multiple subjects and grade levels.
Proficiency rates in math, English language arts, and science are significantly lower than the state averages at both schools. For example, in 2024-2025, the all-grades math proficiency rate at Columbia Middle School Taylor Campus was just 12.9%, compared to the state average of 41.7%. The 8th grade math proficiency rate at Columbia Middle School Hill Campus was even lower, at only 2.7% compared to the state's 30.5%. Science proficiency rates also lag behind, with Columbia Middle School Hill Campus scoring 26% proficient or better in 8th grade science, compared to the state's 54.5%.
While the data does not provide specific free/reduced lunch rates, the fact that both schools are part of the low-performing Columbia Borough School District (0-star rating from SchoolDigger) suggests that there may be systemic challenges at the district level that are impacting the schools' performance. Additionally, the difference in per-student spending between the two schools ($3,707) may indicate resource disparities that could be contributing to the academic challenges. Overall, the middle schools in the 17512 zip code area appear to be struggling, and further investigation into the root causes and potential strategies for improvement would be warranted.
Thank you for your feedback!