Summary:
The Columbia (Walla Walla) School District in Burbank, WA, consists of three schools—Columbia Elementary (K-5), Columbia Middle School (6-8), and Columbia High School (9-12)—serving about 776 students total, though all schools are currently rated in the bottom quartile statewide.
Comparing the schools, Columbia Elementary shows the strongest relative academic performance, notably outperforming the state average in science, while Columbia Middle School has the highest percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Columbia High School has demonstrated the most significant recent improvement in its statewide ranking, though its math proficiency rates are notably low. All three schools have shown steady improvement in their rankings over the past three years.
Key takeaways for parents include that math is a district-wide challenge, especially at the higher grade levels, while elementary science is a relative strength. The district's graduation rate is slightly below the state average, and per-student spending increases in the higher grades. The consistent upward trend in rankings across all schools suggests improvement efforts are underway, but academic performance, particularly in English and math, remains below state averages.
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