Columbia County Schools & Education
Columbia County, Washington
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataSchool Score
45/100
Percentile-style score
Score Band
Midrange Signal
Graduation Rate
69.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
69.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 81.4%
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,179
National avg $13,239
State avg $9,250
School Score
45/100
Percentile-style score
State avg 51/100
State Score Position
#31
of 39 counties by score
Education Data Brief: Columbia County
Measured School Summary
Columbia County has midrange measured school signals (score: 45/100) with a graduation rate of 69.0%, which warrants review in official state and district records.
Funding Context
Columbia County spends $10,179 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 13% below the Washington average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 12.4 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 10% higher than the state norm.
School Data Brief
How to read Columbia County before comparing districts
County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.
Local context that changes the interpretation
6 public schools and 2 districts are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.
Overall screen
45/100
Mixed county signal. Ranks #31 of 39 Washington counties with school score data.
Completion
69.0%
12.4 pts below the state average
Funding context
$10,179
$929 above the state average
School coverage
6
2 districts represented in the county school list.
Start with measured county context
This county needs a closer look at district mix, school level, and local context. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.
Check the local school mix
Columbia County has 6 public schools across 2 districts, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.
Verify local rules
Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.
What Columbia County school data means before you move
County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.
Small-system county
Columbia County has a compact public-school footprint. A single school change, boundary rule, or district update can move the lived experience more than the county score suggests.
State position
#31
of 39 Washington counties with school score data. The county score is 6 points below the state average.
Data confidence
Usable
3 of 5 county signals are present, and 100% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.
K-12 continuity check
These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.
Dayton School District
Elementary to high school visible
393 students
4 listed schools in this county slice.
Starbuck School District
Elementary school only in this slice
185 students
2 listed schools in this county slice.
District reality check
Dayton School District is the largest listed district slice, with 4 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.
What the data cannot tell you
NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.
Questions to ask before choosing an address
Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in Columbia County?
Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Columbia County district systems?
What changes at the elementary-to-middle and middle-to-high transitions in the district pathway we would likely use?
Which charter, magnet, or virtual options require a lottery, application window, separate transportation plan, or address eligibility check?
Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?
Education Overview
About Schools in Columbia County, Washington
This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.
Intimate Education in a Rural Setting
Columbia County is home to just six public schools serving a total of 578 students across two districts. This tiny network includes two elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools. It represents one of the smallest and most personal educational footprints in the state.
Dayton and Starbuck School Districts
The Dayton School District serves the majority of the county with 393 students across four schools. Starbuck School District handles just 185 students, part of which includes the Virtual Preparatory Academy. There are no charter schools, as the districts provide personalized care to their small student bodies.
Ultra-Small Class Sizes
The average school size is just 96 students, ensuring that every child receives individual attention. Dayton Elementary is the largest school with 193 students, while Starbuck School serves just 20 students in a K-8 setting. Attending school here feels like being part of an extended family in a quiet, town-based environment.
School Overview
Total Schools
6
in Columbia County
Reported Enrollment
578
6 schools reporting
School Districts
2
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
School Level Breakdown
2 School Districts in Columbia County
Dayton School District
Starbuck School District
6 Public Schools in Columbia County
Sorted by reported enrollment. Every NCES public school remains listed here; no school-level profile pages are included in the current generated coverage for this county.
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataLevel
Showing 6 of 6 matching schools
| School Name | Profile | District | Location | Grades | Type / Flags | Reported Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dayton Elementary School | Record | Dayton School District | Dayton, 99328Town: Distant | PK–5 | Primary | 193 |
| Virtual Preparatory Academy of Washington | Record | Starbuck School District | Starbuck, 99359Rural: Remote | 1–12 | Virtual | 165 |
| Dayton High School | Record | Dayton School District | Dayton, 99328Town: Distant | 9–12 | High | 108 |
| Dayton Middle School | Record | Dayton School District | Dayton, 99328Town: Distant | 6–8 | Middle | 89 |
| Starbuck School | Record | Starbuck School District | STARBUCK, 99359Rural: Remote | KG–8 | Primary | 20 |
| Dayton School District Alternative Program | Record | Dayton School District | Dayton, 99328Town: Distant | 9–12 | Alternative | 3 |
Dayton Elementary School
Dayton School District
Dayton, 99328 / Town: Distant
Virtual Preparatory Academy of Washington
Starbuck School District
Starbuck, 99359 / Rural: Remote
Dayton School District Alternative Program
Dayton School District
Dayton, 99328 / Town: Distant
Education Funding Detail
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$10,179
State avg $9,250
Compare Nearby Counties
Review Columbia County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.
Open CompareBrowse Public Schools
See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.
View SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
Which Washington counties have the highest graduation rates?
What is per-pupil spending like in Washington?
How should I read the school score in Columbia County?
What is the graduation rate in Columbia County?
How much does Columbia County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Columbia County, Washington — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Columbia County, Washington?
Columbia County is home to just six public schools serving a total of 578 students across two districts. This tiny network includes two elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools. It represents one of the smallest and most personal educational footprints in the state.
What are the major school districts in Columbia County, Washington?
The Dayton School District serves the majority of the county with 393 students across four schools. Starbuck School District handles just 185 students, part of which includes the Virtual Preparatory Academy. There are no charter schools, as the districts provide personalized care to their small student bodies.
What is the school experience like in Columbia County?
The average school size is just 96 students, ensuring that every child receives individual attention. Dayton Elementary is the largest school with 193 students, while Starbuck School serves just 20 students in a K-8 setting. Attending school here feels like being part of an extended family in a quiet, town-based environment.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.