Columbia High School

I truly love being a part of the Columbia community of learning. The teachers are always available and supportive; the new principal is always involved in all functions and day -to-day activities; and the counselors are always available. When you walk in the school you are always greeted with a smile. My daughter transfered from a much larger school; and the transfer has gone great, she is in the Magnent program taking all AP and accelerated classes; and she is excelling. I think it is really because of the smaller class size. and the teachers really push her to take the difficult classes.
—Submitted by a parent

When you enter high school, all of the babying halts and the true character of your willingness and self motivation takes control. That is the virtue I presume Columbia High is promoting. They will not hold your hand, nor will they continue to ride you to get YOUR work done, or bring YOUR books to class. Trust me. At every school there are students who were forced in and don't care about the mischief they cause at school. Therefore, just like every other institution, Columbia offers excellence, and prosperity, but it is a personal decision whether or not you run with it. GO EAGLES!!!
—Submitted by a parent

TRUTH IS THIS IS THE WORSE SCHOOL EVER... THE TEACHERS ARE NOT TRYING TO CHALLENGE THE STUDENTS AT ALL.. THEY REALLY DOESNT CARE WHAT YOU DO OR SAY.. BUT IM GLAD I HAVE TRANSFERED THIS YEAR.. I WOULDNT RECOMMEND ANY STUDENTS TO GO HERE IF YOUR TRYING TO SUCCEED IN LIFE...
—Submitted by a student

Unfortunately due to things beyond our control my son enrolled At Columbia High 3 weeks before school was ending. my son is only in the 9th grade and is gifted. Columbia did not have an equivalent math for him to take(because they don't have a class that high) so they opted to not have him take a math class at all. So since he effectively did not finish the class at his previous school and Columbia doesn't have it. He will not receive credit. Also my son observes alot of fighting and other discipline issues , just far too many to list, on a daily basis. A school that decides not to enroll a student in a core academic class is not a decent scool.
—Submitted by a parent

Columbia is a very great school. I was in the magnet program snd now i go to spelman college!! I did great on my sats and also made lots of friendships, you have to do certain things like activities and magnet programs to excell at columbia high!!
—Submitted by a student

The truth is, its not the worst school in the world, but if you want to succeed, youll ahve to give it extra effort. I went there for the first half of my freshman year and transffered out for a couple of reasons. I was in the magnet program, and expected to be challenged, but my expectations fell way short. Most of the staff really doesn't care, and are there just to get a paycheck. The student enviorment is enjoyable enough, no more or less than what you make it; though the kids do all seem to blend in and are a bit more rowdy. Its a below average school, so i wouldn't voluntarily go here, but if you have no other options, well....its not SO bad, right?
—Submitted by a student

I am a former senior class president, I graduated top 10%, I transfered to CHS at the end of my senior year from a very strong academic school. Columbia could no doubt be a much better school than it is, but it is not deserving of much of the criticism that it receives. The faculty and students i believe for the most part are doing the best that they can with the limited resources that they are given. At the same time I cannot over look that there are a number of lazy teachers that their that are only looking for a stable job. The number of faculty at CHS that genuinely care and want to see you succeed out weigh the number of those that do not feel the same. Overall I would not trade in my years at Columbia because there are truly magnificent faculty members and students here.
—Submitted by a student

I also disagree with the ratings that the school has been given by irrate parents. I graduated from Columbia in 2005 which was the 1st full year Dr.Glanton was principal. He was a change that the school drastically needed. He was strict about following the school rules which is exactly what pricipal should be because the principal before him could careless about the school. Our senior class had some of the highest test scores in which our school hadn't seen in years. Also most of our teachers did care about how we did in class, the main problem at the school were students who only cared about friends,how to make money,popularity,fighting and being 'hood' Overall the school had a pretty good magnet program and academics.
—Submitted by a former student

I'm a math teacher at CHS, not a parent, but I feel like a parent. We have so many smart, wonderful, and loving students! CHS has been my home for 20 years. I've seen its ups amd downs. What most people don't seem to realize is that 95% of our students are just all-round great kids. Also, I think that the vast majority of the faculty and staff care so much about our students! I hate for this school year to end, because saying goodby to my seniors will be so hard. For me, CHS really is family.
—Submitted by a teacher

The rating for this school is off by a long shot. Dr. Glaton have been what this school needed for years. I have two kids that have went to Columbia, one was Valedictorian and the youngest is an Honor Graduate. Dr Glaton came the year my youngest started at Columbia, and the change in the staff and school is awesome. These Teacher work hard to make sure our kids get what they need and Dr Glaton is there to make sure they have what they need. So time a leader must do what it takes to push both student and teacher. The only problem Columbia have is 'Parents' not being their for their kids nor the school. They have one of the best after school programs in Dekalb County. How many high school you know to the time to have Saturday school to help the kids. 'Great Job'
—Submitted by Sandra Comegys, a parent

Columbia High school could be a better school. I truley beleive that if the principal would support the teachers with their desicions and not riticule them Columbia would excel. As far as, discipline goes, yes he is the one to go to, but that's only if you agree with his desicion. If you don't agree and have questions or challenge him, he brushes you off. Overall, I think that Columbia High needs to be upgraded (not the facility, the principal and a few of the teachers).
—Submitted by L Gilliam, a parent

I totally disagree with the negative comments, on the board. Columbia is a great school, one with opportunity and challenges just as any other school, but what the responders fail to remember is it takes a village to equip every school with excellence. Everyone of my sisters and brothers graduated from Columbia HS and are achievers. My hat is off to Dr. Glanton, he is what the students need a disciplinarian, many of the students are raising the parents, and just because when they enter 'his house' they run home complaining and I can say this because my son does that exact thing, and I am aware it is because he dislikes authority. I say GREAT JOB Dr. Glanton, I for one stand behind your style 100%. Keep it up, and to the complainers- move on and make room for those who want to learn and not flex!
—Submitted by DARLENE MILHOUSE, a parent

I think this school is old and need to be renovated. But it is not the school I have the problem with, it is the school's faculty. The teachers are inconsiderate of each child's learning ability and unwilling to push the students to achieve. Curriculum needs to be updated to match the states testing requirements. Students don't have a fair advantage because of this.
—Submitted by a parent

Very dissatisfied with this school. I have observed the principal being openly hostile toward teachers. His lack of communication is a huge problem. My child is an average student (mostly B). She is smart and observant and has had great teachers, but the teachers are often held back or not given the materials they need, even though this school has the ability to provide it. Hello - teachers in the portables do not have computers!. Why can't the school give those teachers computers? Isn't that a basic need in the 21st century? The students also don't get basic things like dances. No homecoming dance, nothing. No opportunities for the kids to do what they are supposed to do in high school. Forget trying to speak to the principal about this stuff because he will not listen to a parent. Thank you.
—Submitted by a parent

Columbias problem is it's principle, Mr. Glanton. Teachers leave this school each year since he come on as principel.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student that transfered here from another district.And I am currently enrolled at this horrible school. The students here are't being taught much of anything and are educationally behind other schools.Teachers here are lazy and in many instancs dont teach the extent of the material.Parental involvement is at a minimum and music,arts and sports activities are not up to date,with little funding. My advice to any parents considering enrolling there child in this school: do not! If you care about your childs future, nurture them in an enviroment where there will learn,that is a school outside of southern Dekalb county.
—Submitted by a student

I graduated from this highschool in 2002 and currently my younger sister is a senior at this horrible school. The teachers at this school do not care about the education of their students. The teachers do not prepare the students for college, which I and others learned after graduating from this school. The text books are outdated and the students are not being challenged, but made lazy. Further, the students do not learn at the same pace or level that other public highschool students do. The majority of the teachers place little if any effort at all into their lesson plans and thoughtless efforts are placed into their teaching curriculum and style. They are obviously there to recieve a pay check and could care less about the future of their students.
—Submitted by a student

This school is a safe and good enviromental school where the best education is offered to students from teachers.
—Submitted by a student