- Enrollment
- 2,159
- Students per teacher
- 18.1:1
- Resource Index
- 35/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Madison, AL
Columbia Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for Columbia Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 46/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 010000802097
👥 S:T ratio 39
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 0
📋 Attendance 76
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Columbia Elementary School earns 46/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes smaller than 81% of Alabama schools. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Alabama schools.
- #4 of 7
- schools in Madison · Resource Index
- 46
- Resource Index · Typical
- 15.2:1
- small classes for Alabama
- 20.7%
- free-lunch eligible
Columbia Elementary School has class sizes smaller than 81% of Alabama schools. Computed live against every Alabama school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Columbia Elementary School ranks #4 of 7 schools in Madison, AL.
School address
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-8 students YoY
Columbia Elementary School held near 776 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-8 headcount).
Teacher FTE added 46.5 → 48.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
-8 students YoY 010000802097 · Madison, AL Other · MID · TRAD
701 enr · 15.2:1 · 20.7% lunch · RII 46
Nearest enrollment peer: James Clemens High School (2,159 students)
Columbia Elementary School held near 776 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-8 headcount). Teacher FTE added 46.5 → 48.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Alabama schools → · Find another →
Columbia Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- James Clemens
James Clemens High School
2,159 students
- Bob Jones High
Bob Jones High School
2,048 students
- Liberty Middle
Liberty Middle School
1,103 students
- Midtown Elemen
Midtown Elementary School
1,097 students
- Discovery Midd
Discovery Middle School
1,054 students
- This school 701
Columbia Elementary School
701 students
What this shows Columbia Elementary School reports 701 students on the CCD universe file.
How Columbia Elementary School compares
Columbia Elementary School held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Alabama and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Alabama | Alabama avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 15.2:1 | ▼ 14% | 17.7:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 20.7% | ▼ 65% | 58.8% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 701 | top 21% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
15.2:1
Leaner classes than 45% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
701
Bigger than 80% of US schools by enrollment, a large campus nationally.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
20.7%
free-lunch eligible
- 65% below the Alabama average of 58.8%
Below the 40% Title I threshold, among the lower-need profiles in the state; federal aid targets individual qualifying students rather than schoolwide programs.
Staffing depth
15.2:1
students per teacher
- 14% below state mean
Top 19% in Alabama - lower ratio than 81% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
9.6%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 5-10% range, close to the pre-pandemic national baseline.
Funding equity
$11,575
per pupil, district-wide
- below Alabama avg of $13,538
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 701 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
11
in-school suspensions + 5 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 1.6 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 2.3 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 54.6%
African American 16.3%
Asian 10.4%
Hispanic or Latino 9.7%
Two or More 8.8%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%
Largest group: White at 54.6% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 64.7/100
Simpson diversity index - at 64.7, Columbia Elementary School is more mixed than the Alabama school average of 42.5.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Madison City reports $11,575 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Columbia Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Clemens High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Bob Jones High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Liberty Middle School | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Midtown Elementary School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Discovery Middle School | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Columbia Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 2,048
- Students per teacher
- 18.8:1
- Resource Index
- 31/100
- Enrollment
- 1,103
- Students per teacher
- 14.1:1
- Resource Index
- 48/100
- Enrollment
- 1,097
- Students per teacher
- 19.9:1
- Resource Index
- 45/100
- Enrollment
- 1,054
- Students per teacher
- 13.2:1
- Resource Index
- 46/100
Similar other schools in Madison
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Midtown Elementary School
Standard public school
1,097 students 19.9:1 students per teacher
Mill Creek Elementary School
Standard public school
965 students 16.1:1 students per teacher
Rainbow Elementary School
Standard public school
725 students 13.9:1 students per teacher
Madison Elementary School
Standard public school
603 students 16.8:1 students per teacher
Legacy Elementary School
Standard public school
594 students 16.5:1 students per teacher
Horizon Elementary School
Standard public school
567 students 15.8:1 students per teacher
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~701 students)
Similar student-teacher ratio (~15.2:1)
Frequently asked questions about Columbia Elementary School
How many students attend Columbia Elementary School?
Columbia Elementary School has 701 students enrolled. It is a public school in Madison, AL. CCD year-over-year: 784 (2022-23) → 776 (2023-24), nearly flat (-8).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbia Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Columbia Elementary School is 15.2:1, which is 14% lower than the Alabama average of 17.7:1 and 3% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Columbia Elementary School?
20.7% of students at Columbia Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Alabama average of 58.8%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Columbia Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at Columbia Elementary School is White at 54.6% of enrollment, in Madison, AL. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 64.7/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Columbia Elementary School?
Columbia Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 46/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Columbia Elementary School rank among schools in Madison?
By Resource Investment Index, Columbia Elementary School ranks #4 of 7 schools in Madison, AL. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Madison on the city page.
What other schools are in Madison City?
Besides Columbia Elementary School, Madison City also operates James Clemens High School (2,159 students), Bob Jones High School (2,048 students), and Liberty Middle School (1,103 students). See the Madison City district page for the complete list.