I have 3 kids at this school and we have had amazing teachers every time. Mr. james is an amazing, caring and progressive principal. The education and teachers are phenomenal. With the new zoning we may have to change schools and that saddens me to the point that we may move to another house in order
... Read more to keep our kids at Columbia. I don't want them at any other elementary school. I have nothing but praise for all that they do for the students. Read less
Posted by a parent on 03/04/09
Overall it's disappointing. The facilities and leadership from the principal standpoint are excellent. However, many of the teachers would rather be someone else. We've had a string of very below average teachers who have other priorities than what is best for the kids. There are some good teachers,
... Read more though. We just don't seem to get them for our son. The system is not all they say they are. They submit the applications for all of the honors they get. But it generally has nothing to do with the quality of education. The cafeterial 'health food' policies are way over the top as well. Read less
Posted by a parent on 01/17/09
I have two children currently attending Columbia Elementary. One is in 4th grade and has attended since Kindergarten. The other is in 1st grade. The teachers are, for the most part, very accepting of parent involvement, and all of our teachers so far (7 of them) have been interested in my kids' welfare
... Read more and education. Of course not all teachers are the same, and some have been better than others. The principal is good-natured and understanding. He emails parents when busses are late, weather causes dismissal times to change, and to give out the weekly menu. We have had to have trailers this year for the first time since the school was built (in 2004), and with a new school on the way, should be back to normal by next year. The PTA for the past few years has been excellent, and volunteers are always welcome. It is a happy school. Read less
Posted by a parent on 01/15/09
My daughter attended kindergarten there and may return for 1st grade, if we don't have to move with her father's new job. But I love this school. At first, we thought the teacher wasn't that attentive, but by the end of the year everything was perfect. My daughter learned how to read and developed
... Read more really great social skills in Mrs. K. Adams class. I strongly recommend this school and teacher. An added plus is that it is so technologically advanced with Smartboards in every room. We give Columbia 2 thumbs up. Read less
Posted by a parent on 07/29/08
Wow! I'm very surprised to read the previous comment. I'm sorry that the other child had such a negative experience. I have a first grader and a preschooler(who has received speech services at Columbia) and have been completely impressed with the loving and professional staff. My first grader is reading
... Read more way above grade level and her teacher keeps her excited about school and learning. Rahter than being bored, she loves coming to school! My other daughter had some speech defecits that we saw and started addressing at age 3, she was so sad when she 'graduated' because she couldn't come back to Columbia until kindergarten. I am very thankful that my children have such a strong educational and nurturing learning environment. Read less
Posted by a parent on 04/02/08
HORRIBLE!! Yes, the teachers are rude and mean and more concerned about what they drive and wear than about the children. This school gave my child a complex and was a very bad introductory into education. When I visit at lunch there was never any laughter or smiles. We have moved and my child
... Read more attends another school and can't wait to go everyday and the children can be children and have smiles and laughter. One of the teachers really did give my child an inferiority complex-the principal is the same. Read less
Posted by a parent on 03/17/08
I don't think that Columbia is a bad school but there is definitely room for improvement. Most of the teachers are kind but some are really rude to the students. I think they do a lot of mindless projects that aren't really of any importance. On the other hand, the atmosphere is very pleasant and
... Read more I always feel welcome. Read less
Posted by a parent on 01/03/08
Excellent teachers! Wonderful programs! Top notch education!
... Read moreRead less
Posted by a parent on 12/05/07
I have a son who is in the developmental delay classes and has thrived at this school. He loves his teachers and they really care for him. I couldn't ask for a better school for him. The office staff is very friendly and helpful. This is where to be.
... Read moreRead less
Posted by a parent on 11/30/07
I have often heard Columbia Elementary referred to as 'The Happy School.' I have two children that attend Columbia, their teachers have been very different--yet very affective. They actually seem happy to come to work. The principal allows for diverse teaching styles and is very positive and encouraging.
... Read more The hands on approach to science and math is very evident and you can tell it is encouraged and/or mandatory. Curriculum is important, but environment and social atmosphere are even more so...this school has it all! No other Madison School compares. Read less
* In 2007-2008 Alabama used the Alabama Reading and Mathematics Test (ARMT) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in reading and math. The ARMT is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Alabama. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.
Student enrollment:
901
Students per teacher:
14
Full-time teachers:
66
Number of classrooms:
50
Arts
Art
Special Education
Early Childhood Special Needs, Gifted Students, Speech/Language Pathologists
Vocational Education
Phys Ed
*The resources listed are programs that the institution is staffed to support. Staffing for a program does not guarantee that it will be offered. This content is provided by the institution and may be incomplete. The institution may offer programs not listed here. Please contact the school directly for additional details.
Advanced Placement
AP classes are college-level classes offered at the high school level. Once a student completes an AP class and passes a final comprehensive examination conducted by the College Board, the student earns college credit for the course. AP classes are specific and not to be confused with other higher-level classes such as honors classes.
Before/After School
"Extended day" programs where the school day is extended before and after school to accommodate working parents. These programs should not be confused with common after school clubs or athletic activities.
Gifted and Talented
A school system may identify 10% to 15% or more of its student population as gifted and talented. A brief description of each area of giftedness or talent as defined by the Office of Gifted and Talented:
general intellectual ability or talent - high intelligence test score (usually two standard deviations above the mean), and high levels of vocabulary, memory, abstract work knowledge and abstract reasoning;
specific academic aptitude or talent in one area such as mathematics or language arts;
creative and productive thinking, the ability to produce new ideas;
leadership ability, the ability to direct individuals or groups to a common decision or action;
visual and performing arts, special talents in visual art, music, dance, drama, or other related studies;
psychomotor ability, such as practical, spatial, mechanical, and physical skills.
Vocation/Technical Curriculum
Vocational and/or technical courses offered within a comprehensive school, usually a senior high school.
Special Education Classes
A school or program within a school that provides services and training to students with moderate to severe mental and/or physical disabilities.
Adult Education Classes
Programs offering GED or equivalent courses for adults within regular schools, whether classes are held during evening or daytime schedules.
English as Second Language
English language classes for students whose first language is not English.
Madison schools — Columbia Elementary School is located at 667 Balch Rd, Madison AL 35758. 667 Balch Rd is in the 35758 ZIP code in Madison, AL The school district for Columbia Elementary School is the Madison City School District. Columbia Elementary School is a Public school that serves grade levels K - 6.
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Test Score Ratings
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this school scored better than 70% of the students in the state on the same tests. We have indicated below which tests
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experience, academic programs, extracurricular activities, resources for special needs students, etc. These ratings are
not provided by the state Department of Education, which may have their own rating systems.
