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GreatSchools Rating

Columbia Junior/Senior High School

Public | 7-12 | 573 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
No new ratings

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6 reviews of this school


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Posted August 23, 2012

I think there needs to be some truth here. Columbia is in the bottom 15% of all school districts in the state. For a district that only has three schools this is inexcusable. The social aspects are bad as well as evidenced by fighting and bullying. In any other district the leadership would have been replaced a long time ago. I believe that administration ties the hands of their teachers in order to appease some parents that do not wish to be involved in education. In short, this is a horrible school with some promise if they would change leadership.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 10, 2011

I'm a graduate of CHS,and proud to say so. I believe for the most part the majority of the Teachers are there for the right reason, and do a great job and it 's a hard job, God Bless our teachers.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 3, 2010

Educating the student is the top priority! They do so with less money due to the socio economic conditions of the community and the students. The dedication of the Administrators and teachers (lowest paid in the area), is unbelievable. Most could easily obtain higher paying jobs, however their dedication to all students is evidents every day. WOW - What a great school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 13, 2009

This school district has a few excellent teachers that truely care about their students. It is a shame that most teachers think they don't have to teach, just babysit. I have visited classes and was surprised that most classes students where left to learn things on there own. You get letters requesting that you be involved in you childs education. However the last thing the teaching staff wants is for a parent to show up and observe you child class.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 12, 2009

chs is awesome and i love it there!!!
—Submitted by a student


Posted September 8, 2009

Columbia jr/sr high school is a great school to place your kids. They will learn very quickly by the educated teachers they'll have. This high school is located in the quiet town of columbia, a great place to raise your kids. A very peaceful and serene place where you know your child will not be in a dangerous situation. Your child will not only have a helping hand from their teachers but also the towns people as well. I graduated in june 2009, and i will surely miss the school who was a big part of my growing up.
—Submitted by a student


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 80% in 2012.

77 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
69%

2011

 
 
62%

2010

 
 
68%

2009

 
 
67%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 76% in 2012.

77 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
49%

2011

 
 
50%

2010

 
 
63%

2009

 
 
63%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Pennsylvania used the Pennsylvania System of State Assessments (PSSA) to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 in math and reading, in grades 5, 8 and 11 in writing, and in grades 4, 8 and 11 in science. The results for reading, writing, science and math are displayed on GreatSchools profiles. The PSSA is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Pennsylvania. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Pennsylvania's state standards

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 76% in 2012.

74 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
70%

2011

 
 
60%

2010

 
 
58%

2009

 
 
59%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 80% in 2012.

74 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
60%

2011

 
 
61%

2010

 
 
70%

2009

 
 
68%
Science

The state average for Science was 60% in 2012.

75 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
37%

2011

 
 
36%

2010

 
 
41%

2009

 
 
35%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 73% in 2012.

77 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
55%

2011

 
 
45%

2010

 
 
48%

2009

 
 
43%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Pennsylvania used the Pennsylvania System of State Assessments (PSSA) to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 in math and reading, in grades 5, 8 and 11 in writing, and in grades 4, 8 and 11 in science. The results for reading, writing, science and math are displayed on GreatSchools profiles. The PSSA is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Pennsylvania. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Pennsylvania's state standards

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 60% in 2012.

64 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
45%

2011

 
 
39%

2010

 
 
38%

2009

 
 
43%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 68% in 2012.

64 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
47%

2011

 
 
48%

2010

 
 
56%

2009

 
 
50%
Science

The state average for Science was 42% in 2012.

62 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
24%

2011

 
 
23%

2010

 
 
14%

2009

 
 
27%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 83% in 2012.

66 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
71%

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
79%

2009

 
 
71%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Pennsylvania used the Pennsylvania System of State Assessments (PSSA) to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 in math and reading, in grades 5, 8 and 11 in writing, and in grades 4, 8 and 11 in science. The results for reading, writing, science and math are displayed on GreatSchools profiles. The PSSA is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Pennsylvania. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

See Pennsylvania's state standards

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education

Math

All Students69%
Female70%
Male68%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic47%
Multi-ethnicn/a
White74%
Economically disadvantaged62%
Students with disabilities (IEP)33%
English language learnersn/a

Reading

All Students49%
Female47%
Male51%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic12%
Multi-ethnicn/a
White58%
Economically disadvantaged40%
Students with disabilities (IEP)22%
English language learnersn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Pennsylvania used the Pennsylvania System of State Assessments (PSSA) to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 in math and reading, in grades 5, 8 and 11 in writing, and in grades 4, 8 and 11 in science. The results for reading, writing, science and math are displayed on GreatSchools profiles. The PSSA is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Pennsylvania. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Pennsylvania's state standards

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education

Math

All Students70%
Female72%
Male69%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic50%
Multi-ethnicn/a
White74%
Economically disadvantaged67%
Students with disabilities (IEP)46%
English language learnersn/a

Reading

All Students60%
Female75%
Male48%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic57%
Multi-ethnicn/a
White58%
Economically disadvantaged59%
Students with disabilities (IEP)31%
English language learnersn/a

Science

All Students37%
Female48%
Male30%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic36%
Multi-ethnicn/a
White36%
Economically disadvantaged35%
Students with disabilities (IEP)8%
English language learnersn/a

Writing

All Students55%
Female76%
Male39%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic50%
Multi-ethnicn/a
White56%
Economically disadvantaged56%
Students with disabilities (IEP)25%
English language learnersn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Pennsylvania used the Pennsylvania System of State Assessments (PSSA) to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 in math and reading, in grades 5, 8 and 11 in writing, and in grades 4, 8 and 11 in science. The results for reading, writing, science and math are displayed on GreatSchools profiles. The PSSA is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Pennsylvania. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Pennsylvania's state standards

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education

Math

All Students45%
Female40%
Male50%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multi-ethnicn/a
White47%
Economically disadvantaged33%
Students with disabilities (IEP)n/a
English language learnersn/a

Reading

All Students47%
Female53%
Male41%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multi-ethnicn/a
White47%
Economically disadvantaged50%
Students with disabilities (IEP)n/a
English language learnersn/a

Science

All Students24%
Female21%
Male27%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multi-ethnicn/a
White28%
Economically disadvantaged13%
Students with disabilities (IEP)n/a
English language learnersn/a

Writing

All Students71%
Female78%
Male66%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Multi-ethnicn/a
White72%
Economically disadvantaged65%
Students with disabilities (IEP)n/a
English language learnersn/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Pennsylvania used the Pennsylvania System of State Assessments (PSSA) to test students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 in math and reading, in grades 5, 8 and 11 in writing, and in grades 4, 8 and 11 in science. The results for reading, writing, science and math are displayed on GreatSchools profiles. The PSSA is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Pennsylvania. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficient on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Pennsylvania's state standards

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 75% 73%
Black 13% 16%
Hispanic 12% 7%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 0%
Asian/Pacific Islander 0% 3%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 11N/A15
Source: NCES, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

901 Ironville Pk
Columbia, PA 17512
Phone: (717) 684-7500

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