Columbia County Schools & Education
Columbia County, Arkansas
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
51/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
93.4%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
93.4%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 90.3%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,363
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,160
School Score
51/100
Higher = better
State avg 38/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#18
of 75 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Columbia County
School Verdict
Columbia County performs at an average level with a school score of 51/100 and a solid graduation rate of 93.4%.
Funding Context
At $6,363 per pupil, Columbia County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Columbia County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 33% above the Arkansas average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 3.1 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 3% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Columbia County, Arkansas
A Consolidated High-Enrollment System
Columbia County supports 3,535 students across nine public schools. The infrastructure includes four elementary schools, one middle school, three high schools, and one specialized school facility.
Strong Scores and Consistent Spending
The county maintains a 93.4% graduation rate, well above the 90.3% state average. With a composite score of 53.9 and per-pupil spending of $6,363, the county demonstrates a strong commitment to academic quality.
Magnolia School District Dominance
The Magnolia School District is the primary educational provider, serving 2,662 students across five specialized campuses. The county has no charter schools, keeping the student body within the traditional public district framework.
A Blend of Town and Rural Campuses
School life is split between five rural and four town-based locales, with an average school size of 393 students. Magnolia High School is the largest campus with 780 students, offering a broader range of peer groups than the 322-student Taylor Elementary.
Find Your Home in the Magnolia District
The Magnolia School District offers the county's most diverse educational settings and largest campuses. Homebuyers often prioritize this area for its consistent graduation success and centralized school services.
School Overview
Total Schools
9
in Columbia County
Total Enrollment
3,535
students
School Districts
1
district
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
1 School District in Columbia County
MAGNOLIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
9 Public Schools in Columbia County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAGNOLIA HIGH SCHOOL | MAGNOLIA SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 780 |
| EAST SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MAGNOLIA SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–3 | Primary | 629 |
| MAGNOLIA JR. HIGH SCHOOL | MAGNOLIA SCHOOL DISTRICT | 6–8 | Middle | 595 |
| CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MAGNOLIA SCHOOL DISTRICT | 3–5 | Primary | 538 |
| TAYLOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | EMERSON-TAYLOR SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–6 | Primary | 322 |
| TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL | EMERSON-TAYLOR SCHOOL DISTRICT | 7–12 | High | 236 |
| EMERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | EMERSON-TAYLOR SCHOOL DISTRICT | KG–6 | Primary | 159 |
| EMERSON HIGH SCHOOL | EMERSON-TAYLOR SCHOOL DISTRICT | 7–12 | High | 156 |
| WALKER PRE-K CENTER | MAGNOLIA SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK | Other | 120 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,363
State avg $6,160
Find Homes Near Top Schools
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Columbia County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Columbia County?
How much does Columbia County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Columbia County, Arkansas — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Columbia County, Arkansas?
Columbia County supports 3,535 students across nine public schools. The infrastructure includes four elementary schools, one middle school, three high schools, and one specialized school facility.
How do schools in Columbia County perform academically?
The county maintains a 93.4% graduation rate, well above the 90.3% state average. With a composite score of 53.9 and per-pupil spending of $6,363, the county demonstrates a strong commitment to academic quality.
What are the major school districts in Columbia County, Arkansas?
The Magnolia School District is the primary educational provider, serving 2,662 students across five specialized campuses. The county has no charter schools, keeping the student body within the traditional public district framework.
What is the school experience like in Columbia County?
School life is split between five rural and four town-based locales, with an average school size of 393 students. Magnolia High School is the largest campus with 780 students, offering a broader range of peer groups than the 322-student Taylor Elementary.
How can I find homes near good schools in Columbia County, Arkansas?
The Magnolia School District offers the county's most diverse educational settings and largest campuses. Homebuyers often prioritize this area for its consistent graduation success and centralized school services.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.