Columbia Senior High School

My son graduated from this school, completed college and is now working in a wonderful job. In addition to academics he grew because of the diverse environment. He is proud to have know so many people with so many race and/or religious foundations. He also learned more the love of knowledge and the desire to explore. Columbia High School has a lot to offer
--Submitted by a parent

In 1967,68 and 69 it was a fabulous school. I am not familiar with its qualities now.

The upper levels of this school have expanded greatly in recent years, under the guidance of the excellent principal who took the helm in 2006. Many students now take AP classes, and most continue to receive credit-worthy test scores. The school continues to excel in the arts, receiving a Grammy (yes, that same organization!) for its music program, which was given to a handful a schools nationally though thousands applied. Graduates go to the top colleges. More than this, though, is that the students are intellectually curious and active: kids come home and talk about ideas discussed in class. Very cool.
--Submitted by a parent

Full of opportunity, Columbia High School can provide an incredibly positive environment and atmosphere that allows talented and determined kids to grow. Rich with AP courses and a diverse array of extra-curricular activities, the school can provide a structure that sets students up for future success, if they are motivated self-starters. Students who do not get admitted to Honors, Advanced or AP classes may find themselves in challenging learning environments, but the school is very open to mobility paths (especially after parental involvement.) Students that are not eager learners be warned, the school structure, teachers and students are not welcoming of those that do not put forth consistent, rigorous effort. These students do in fact fall through the cracks and receive very little support and encouragement to succeed. At the end of the day, Columbia provides limitless opportunity for those students willing to capture it.
--Submitted by a parent

Columbia is a great school for anyone who wants a diverse, intense education, with a supportive arts and sports program.
--Submitted by a parent

Diverse, accepting community.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has loads of character and history the community is great and the kids in the school are so friendly
--Submitted by a parent

Columbia has changed greatly in the past 3-4 years, because when I started there it was very chaotic especially when a lot of freshman had study halls. But I have seen the change in the amount of people wandering the hall the now lack of distraction to enhance the educational learning experience. A lot of the honor and ap classes are not as diverse but there are plenty of educators that are willing to teach at the level, because the teachers care about what happens to there students. Coming into this community from a non-diverse to this one really opened my eyes to see how everyone is a very cohesive unit and involve everyone in intellectual conversation and sharing of ideas. At the moment the principal leadership is at average, but it should be raised because we have three great principals that kept well run school
--Submitted by a student

yes there is a lot of student involvment in this school but if you aren't a honor or an AP student then the quality of the education really diminishes. Some of the classes are too big and I think the majority of the staff is too based on disipline rather than education.
--Submitted by a parent

Columbia is a vibrant, diverse school that refects the surrounding community of politically active, accomplished and creative citizens. This means that conflict occurs, voices are heard and the system is challenged. Aside from adult inflamatory actions which have taken advantage of the student body in recent years, the level of conversation and debate in the school has been a positive thing for both of my kids. Seniors who graduate from CHS are prepared for life in a much more practical way than they would be at more protective schools that only emphasize test scores. Many graduates attend top notch schools, many teachers go way beyond the call of duty and many parents agree that they are thrilled to have their kids at CHS!
--Submitted by a parent