North Columbia Elementary School

Summary:

North Columbia Elementary School is a public elementary school in Appling, Georgia, serving 459 students in grades PK-5 and part of the highly-ranked Columbia County School District.

This school consistently outperforms the county and state averages on the Milestones Assessment, with 72.2% of 3rd graders, 77.8% of 4th graders, and 81.8% of 5th graders proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 58.9% and 38.4% at the county and state levels, respectively. North Columbia Elementary also has a relatively low student-teacher ratio ranging from 14.0 to 15.4, and its spending per student has increased from $9,618 in 2016-2017 to $10,443 in 2018-2019, indicating a commitment to investing in student education. Additionally, the school has a relatively low percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 21.57% to 26.51% over the past three school years.

While North Columbia Elementary outperforms nearby schools like North Harlem Elementary and Cedar Ridge Elementary, other local schools such as Riverside Elementary and Parkway Elementary also demonstrate strong academic performance and are ranked highly within the state. The school's consistent academic excellence, low student-teacher ratio, and high spending per student may contribute to its success, but it will need to continuously evaluate and refine its practices to maintain its high level of achievement.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

2874 Ray Owens Rd
Appling, GA 30802

(706) 541-1158

District: Columbia County

SchoolDigger Rank:
45^th of 1,248 Georgia Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $10,443

Students who attend North Columbia Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Harlem Middle School
High:	Harlem High School

Student/teacher ratio: 13.1

Number of students: 472

Racial breakdown:

White:

84.1%

African American:

6.1%

Hispanic:

4.7%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 35%

See top rated Georgia elementary schools

Compare North Columbia Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details North Columbia Elementary School ranks better than 96.4% of elementary schools in Georgia. It also ranks 2^nd among 17 ranked elementary schools in the Columbia County School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 96.51. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (84.1%), African American (6.1%), Hispanic (4.7%). (See more...)

Compare Details 35% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at North Columbia Elementary School is 13.1, which is the 3^rd best among 17 elementary schools in the Columbia County School District. (See more...)

Compare North Columbia Elementary School employs 36 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at North Columbia Elementary School is $10,443, which is the 3^rd highest among 17 elementary schools in the Columbia County School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

North Columbia Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Columbia County:

SchoolDigger ranks Columbia County 16^th of 203 Georgia school districts. (See district ranking list.)

What do you think?

Your rating for North Columbia Elementary School?

(Ranking FAQ)

Rank History for North Columbia Elementary School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	GA State Percentile
2006	82.67	124^th	1101	88.7%
2007	90.03	31^st	1125	97.2%
2008	84.23	114^th	1134	89.9%
2009	83.62	126^th	1133	88.9%
2010	87.33	67^th	1183	94.3%
2011	81.44	179^th	1212	85.2%
2012	75.10	279^th	1201	76.8%
2013	83.06	120^th	1225	90.2%
2014	78.97	202^nd	1231	83.6%
2015	81.07	197^th	1240	84.1%
2016	78.04	231^st	1233	81.3%
2017	73.71	273^rd	1205	77.3%
2018	89.87	111^th	1209	90.8%
2019	91.89	97^th	1234	92.1%
2021	93.89	79^th	1214	93.5%
2022	95.95	63^rd	1244	94.9%
2023	95.53	66^th	1242	94.7%
2024	96.51	45^th	1248	96.4%

See the entire list of Georgia Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Georgia Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

We're sorry, but no reviews have been submitted for North Columbia Elementary School.

If you have first-hand knowledge about North Columbia Elementary School, submit a rating!

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for North Columbia Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1989	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	447	447
1991	0	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	452	452
1992	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	440	440
1993	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	463	463
1994	354	79	0	3	1	n/a	n/a	0	437
1995	395	66	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	461
1996	395	66	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	461
1997	403	63	0	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	468
1998	450	62	0	2	1	n/a	n/a	0	515
1999	459	60	0	3	1	n/a	n/a	0	523
2000	441	54	0	1	1	n/a	n/a	0	497
2001	446	51	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	497
2002	440	46	1	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	488
2003	440	46	1	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	488
2004	349	37	0	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	388
2005	348	37	0	2	2	n/a	n/a	5	394
2006	365	38	0	2	1	n/a	n/a	3	409
2007	350	30	0	4	2	n/a	n/a	2	388
2008	346	33	0	4	2	n/a	n/a	4	389
2009	322	29	0	6	2	n/a	n/a	3	362
2010	332	24	0	8	2	0	6	0	372
2011	329	27	0	8	1	0	6	0	371
2012	305	28	0	5	1	0	8	0	347
2013	292	28	0	8	0	0	13	0	341
2014	289	26	0	12	1	0	14	0	342
2015	311	30	0	10	1	0	16	0	368
2016	294	29	0	14	1	0	14	0	352
2017	295	26	0	14	1	0	5	0	341
2018	300	22	0	11	0	0	10	0	343
2019	326	25	0	15	0	0	8	0	374
2020	373	27	0	18	0	0	13	0	431
2021	375	22	0	15	0	0	18	0	430
2022	374	27	0	13	0	0	17	0	431
2023	397	24	1	16	0	0	21	0	459
2024	397	29	2	22	0	0	22	0	472

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at North Columbia Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	447	26.0	17.1	29.3
1991	452	28.0	16.1	22.8
1992	440	29.0	15.1	20.9
1993	463	23.0	20.1	23.5
1994	437	30.7	14.2	25.6
1995	461	25.0	18.4	29.3
1996	461	25.0	18.4	29.3
1997	468	26.0	18.0	33.1
1998	515	27.4	18.8	35.9
1999	523	31.2	16.8	35.9
2000	497	32.0	15.5	32.6
2001	497	28.7	17.3	32.6
2002	488	29.8	16.4	29.7
2003	488	29.8	16.4	29.7
2004	388	24.4	15.9	27.8
2005	394	27.9	14.1	28.8
2006	409	29.1	14.1	29.8
2007	388	28.8	13.5	28.5
2008	389	30.7	12.7	30.9
2009	362	26.1	13.9	31.8
2010	372	26.0	14.3	35.5
2011	371	24.0	15.4	39.1
2012	347	22.3	15.5	37.5
2013	341	19.8	17.2	38.1
2014	342	20.7	16.5	41.5
2015	368	25.0	14.7	39.7
2016	352	22.0	16.0	34.9
2017	341	22.6	15.0	32.6
2018	343	23.3	14.7	35.6
2019	374	25.3	14.7	37.4
2020	431	26.8	16.0	32.9
2021	430	27.9	15.4	26.5
2022	431	29.5	14.6	n/a
2023	459	32.6	14.0	21.6
2024	472	36.0	13.1	35

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio North Columbia Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	447	26.0	17.1	29.3
1991	452	28.0	16.1	22.8
1992	440	29.0	15.1	20.9
1993	463	23.0	20.1	23.5
1994	437	30.7	14.2	25.6
1995	461	25.0	18.4	29.3
1996	461	25.0	18.4	29.3
1997	468	26.0	18.0	33.1
1998	515	27.4	18.8	35.9
1999	523	31.2	16.8	35.9
2000	497	32.0	15.5	32.6
2001	497	28.7	17.3	32.6
2002	488	29.8	16.4	29.7
2003	488	29.8	16.4	29.7
2004	388	24.4	15.9	27.8
2005	394	27.9	14.1	28.8
2006	409	29.1	14.1	29.8
2007	388	28.8	13.5	28.5
2008	389	30.7	12.7	30.9
2009	362	26.1	13.9	31.8
2010	372	26.0	14.3	35.5
2011	371	24.0	15.4	39.1
2012	347	22.3	15.5	37.5
2013	341	19.8	17.2	38.1
2014	342	20.7	16.5	41.5
2015	368	25.0	14.7	39.7
2016	352	22.0	16.0	34.9
2017	341	22.6	15.0	32.6
2018	343	23.3	14.7	35.6
2019	374	25.3	14.7	37.4
2020	431	26.8	16.0	32.9
2021	430	27.9	15.4	26.5
2022	431	29.5	14.6	n/a
2023	459	32.6	14.0	21.6
2024	472	36.0	13.1	35

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for North Columbia Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2017	$112 (1.2%)	$9,506 (98.8%)	$9,618
2018	$105 (1.0%)	$10,182 (99.0%)	$10,287
2019	$94 (0.9%)	$10,349 (99.1%)	$10,443

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on North Columbia Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 97^th of 1234 Elementary schools	Ranks 66^th of 1242 Elementary schools	2.5%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (North Columbia Elementary School)	74.6	77.9	3.3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Columbia County)	58.8	59.6	0.8%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	42	38.6	3.4%
3rd Grade Mathematics (North Columbia Elementary School)	71.4	83.8	12.4%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Columbia County)	70.3	68.1	2.2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	52	45.6	6.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (North Columbia Elementary School)	77.3	61.4	15.9%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Columbia County)	57.9	54.5	3.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	42	36.1	5.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (North Columbia Elementary School)	75.8	82.9	7.1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Columbia County)	68.2	67.2	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	49	45.7	3.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (North Columbia Elementary School)	67.2	67.5	0.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Columbia County)	60.9	61.7	0.8%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	45	41.6	3.4%
5th Grade Mathematics (North Columbia Elementary School)	59	63.8	4.8%
5th Grade Mathematics (Columbia County)	56.3	59.5	3.2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	41	37.4	3.6%
5th Grade Science (North Columbia Elementary School)	73.8	75	1.2%
5th Grade Science (Columbia County)	59.6	63.1	3.5%
5th Grade Science (Georgia)	43	40	3%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	374	459	22.7%
African American	25	24	4%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	0	1
Hispanic	15	16	6.7%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	326	397	21.8%
Two or More Races	8	21	162.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	37.4%	21.6%	15.9%

Schools Near North Columbia Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				Milestones Assessment English Language Arts (2024)						Milestones Assessment Mathematics (2024)						Milestones Assessment Science (2024)		Milestones Assessment Social Studies (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 3rd Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 4th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 5th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 6th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 7th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 3rd Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 4th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 5th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 6th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 7th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Science 5th Grade	Milestones Assessment Science 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Social Studies 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
North Columbia Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2874 Ray Owens Rd	Appling	30802	Columbia County	Columbia County	No	No	No	No	(706) 541-1158	472	36	13.1	35.0%	397 (84.1%)	29 (6.1%)	22 (4.7%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (4.7%)	96.5	45^th of 1248 public elementary schools	96.4%		95.5	66^th of 1242 public elementary schools	94.7%	21	72.2	77.8	81.8				79.7	86.1	71.4				70.1			$10,443	$94	$10,349
Parkway Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2660 William Few Parkway	Evans	30809	Columbia County	Columbia County	No	No	No	No	(706) 868-2346	773	52	14.9	26.0%	458 (59.2%)	94 (12.2%)	104 (13.5%)	55 (7.1%)	1 (0.1%)	4 (0.5%)	57 (7.4%)	94.7	67^th of 1248 public elementary schools	94.6%		94	84^th of 1242 public elementary schools	93.2%	17	69.2	62.7	72.9				77.4	76.1	74.3				77.9			$9,337	$96	$9,241
Greenbrier Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5116 Riverwood Pkwy	Evans	30809	Columbia County	Columbia County	No	No	No	No	(706) 650-6060	630	44	14.4	17.9%	464 (73.7%)	62 (9.8%)	43 (6.8%)	19 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	40 (6.3%)	93.3	92^nd of 1248 public elementary schools	92.6%		95.8	59^th of 1242 public elementary schools	95.2%	33	68.2	67.2	68.8				72.9	82.4	70.5				63.4			$8,608	$93	$8,514
Baker Place Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2011 Hero Way	Grovetown	30813	Columbia County	Columbia County	No	No	No	No	(706) 447-2115	948	62	15.3	39.7%	387 (40.8%)	333 (35.1%)	131 (13.8%)	14 (1.5%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	82 (8.6%)	91.6	115^th of 1248 public elementary schools	90.8%		87.8	150^th of 1242 public elementary schools	87.9%	35	64.4	70.2	68.0				67.8	83.6	62.7				64.1			$8,137	$93	$8,044
Euchee Creek Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	795 Louisville Rd	Grovetown	30813	Columbia County	Columbia County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 556-4000	702	50	14.0	46.3%	324 (46.2%)	211 (30.1%)	105 (15.0%)	10 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	50 (7.1%)	78.3	247^th of 1248 public elementary schools	80.2%		81.8	209^th of 1242 public elementary schools	83.2%	38	44.7	47.3	64.1				52.4	61.8	61.2				64.1			$9,292	$290	$9,002
Lewiston Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5426 Hereford Farm Rd	Evans	30809	Columbia County	Columbia County	No	No	No	No	(706) 650-6064	800	51	15.5	38.3%	442 (55.3%)	178 (22.3%)	71 (8.9%)	37 (4.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	72 (9.0%)	93.7	85^th of 1248 public elementary schools	93.2%		93.4	91^st of 1242 public elementary schools	92.7%	6	67.1	74.0	81.4				68.9	78.6	61.4				71.7			$9,701	$544	$9,157
SAIL Charter Academy - School for Arts-Infused Learning	Public, Charter	K-8	4575 Blanchard Woods Dr	Evans	30809	Columbia County	State Specialty Schools II- SAIL Charter Academy - School fo	Yes	No	No	Yes	(762) 585-1400	558	43	12.9	0.5%	315 (56.5%)	89 (15.9%)	90 (16.1%)	4 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	58 (10.4%)	52.3	538^th of 1248 public elementary schools	56.9%		65.8	383^rd of 1242 public elementary schools	69.2%	155	40.0	40.0	50.7	50.0	33.3	54.8	32.9	37.1	38.0	30.2	47.4	54.8	43.7	43.3	22.6	$7,593	$392	$7,201
Evans Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	618 Gibbs Rd	Evans	30809	Columbia County	Columbia County	No	No	No	No	(706) 863-1202	823	55	14.9	42.2%	430 (52.2%)	174 (21.1%)	96 (11.7%)	36 (4.4%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	85 (10.3%)	89.1	147^th of 1248 public elementary schools	88.2%		84.3	185^th of 1242 public elementary schools	85.1%	38	63.2	53.2	72.5				68.4	70.1	68.7				60.3			$8,653	$94	$8,559
Cedar Ridge Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1000 Trudeau Trl	Grovetown	30813	Columbia County	Columbia County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 447-2100	1,099	70	15.6	50.4%	363 (33.0%)	391 (35.6%)	197 (17.9%)	17 (1.5%)	3 (0.3%)	4 (0.4%)	124 (11.3%)	74.5	289^th of 1248 public elementary schools	76.8%		75.6	275^th of 1242 public elementary schools	77.9%	14	48.0	44.1	56.7				58.5	69.3	49.8				50.7			$7,922	$304	$7,618
Riverside Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4431 Hardy McManus Rd	Evans	30809	Columbia County	Columbia County	No	No	No	No	(706) 868-3736	670	48	14.1	28.4%	419 (62.5%)	95 (14.2%)	67 (10.0%)	23 (3.4%)	4 (0.6%)	4 (0.6%)	58 (8.7%)	93.3	91^st of 1248 public elementary schools	92.7%		93.6	90^th of 1242 public elementary schools	92.8%	1	75.0	57.7	75.4				75.0	83.7	61.0				70.3			$9,895	$624	$9,271

Frequently Asked Questions about North Columbia Elementary School

Is North Columbia Elementary School a good school?

Yes! North Columbia Elementary School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 45^th of 1248 Georgia elementary schools.

What district is North Columbia Elementary School in?

Columbia County

What schools do graduates of North Columbia Elementary School attend?

Students who attend North Columbia Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Harlem Middle School
High : Harlem High School

What is the racial makeup of North Columbia Elementary School?

Students at North Columbia Elementary School are 84% White, 6% African American, 5% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races.

How many students attend North Columbia Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 472 students attended North Columbia Elementary School.

Rate North Columbia Elementary School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

GAGeorgia Elementary School Rankings

GAGeorgia District Rankings

Schools in Appling, GA

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for North Columbia Elementary School!

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Georgia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.