Christopher Columbus Middle School

22250 Elkwood St.

School District

Los Angeles Unified
Grade

6-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:22
Type

public

School Map for Los Angeles Unified School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 24, 2025

The administration of this school has no idea or no motivation to discipline students. The same disrespectful students misbehave over and over without any consequences. The teachers do not have administrative support and it’s a free-for-all every single day. There are nonexistent academic expectations and no behavioral standards enforced. Find another option…do not choose this school!
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2023

The academics at this school are a joke, even in "honors" they were barely being taught. The kids are babied, majorly. They aren't taught at very high standards and don't get a true consequence for violence. There are fights way too often here and most the kids disrespect the adults. Not enough staff to keep up with all the mischief. The newer assistant principal is no good. He doesn't take parent/student concerns seriously. To get your kid into a true and fun elective...good luck on that as well. They don't offer too much.
Submitted by parent on December 07, 2022

The kids are absolutely out of hand at this school. Fighting, discrimination etc. it's absolutely insane. Academics are on the low end as well, even in the magnet. They promoted field trips and yet 1and a half yrs later not one has been given to my kid. This school is a joke on so many levels. Not recommended.
Submitted by parent on February 10, 2022

Christopher Columbus has always just been an ordinary school but ever since this new year started Christopher Columbus has really changed for the better. My kids have really grown fond of the school and the people in it. Their always talking about how caring the teachers are and how the students show a lot of acceptance to eachother. The whole environment of the school is so welcoming the staff are also so kind and respectful.
Submitted by parent on February 10, 2022

My kids are having a great time! I have a seventh and eighth-grader, and they get to be themselves in a welcoming school community. My kids love going to school so much all they talk about is how fun their classes are and what they do with their friends. Christopher Columbus is such an inviting place all my children talk about is how all the kids show kindness to each other and acceptance in everyone's differences. The teachers at Columbus also show a lot of care and dedication to their students’ education and make learning fun and an exciting experience. The campus is also such a beautiful place and it has a nice field for all the students to play on and shady spots for the students to hang out at. Overall Christopher Columbus is an open environment for children to develop, and where they are free to express themselves, and where they can have a safe space and even call it a second home.
Submitted by other on February 10, 2022

This school is in a nice neighborhood. It offers many magnets for the students to explore. A lot of the teachers have been there for a long time and they have excellent experience.
Submitted by parent on February 10, 2022

Columbus has a lot to offer and believe the teachers here care about the students. It’s a small school with a big heart.
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2020

Wonderful school. The people who work here, across the board, have been fantastic. Very supportive and caring. I also like that it's a smaller school than other middle schools in the area. My daughter is thriving academically and socially.
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2019

My son’s 1st year at CCMS, he is in 6th grade. At first, I was worried and skeptical because of reading reviews about CCMS (like other parents do) But I followed my guts and surprise, surprise.... I couldn’t ask for any better school for my son! This school is a GREAT SCHOOL! The support that my son gets in the classroom and even during lunch is awesome! Teachers are great...teachers with hearts of gold towards their students, that makes them so effective, loving, understanding, considerate without breaking any school rules. My son is in SLD class due to ASD (high functioning) Gen Ed curriculum, this school will work and listen to parents 100% to benefit my son’s learning, future and positive experiences...my son is thriving, doing class work independently, his confidence really coming out and it is showing big time (in a great positive way)!I have to say, unfortunately this school is so UNDER RATED for some inaccurate reasons in my opinion and it is sad that there are kids that missing out on a great learning experience, great teachers and support and schoolmates! This school is a diamond in a rough..really, really GREAT SCHOOL! Thank you, CCMS!
Submitted by parent on October 31, 2018

This school is the best kept secret! Thank you so much for everyone that provides time and love to this school! It truly shows!!!
Submitted by teacher on September 10, 2015

Awesome teachers. Amazing staff! Everyone is helpful and enthusiastic about the children in this community. A lot of changes have been made and they are continuing to strive for better.
Submitted by other on August 30, 2015

Columbus MS tends to get a bad wrap for its overall experience but in reality it is only the parents who's children don't even go there that talk bad about the school. I feel as if it greatly suited my child. The experience isn't an easy one and yes the diversity isn't that great (Hispanic dominated) but their programs are worth while. Their Hippocrates Circle Program w/ Kaiser is amazing; inspiring young minds to pursue medical careers. Their athletic and after-school programs are great; promoting team work and athletics! Their accelerated studies in the Magnet program allow a great taste in the science field with biology and health joint education programs. Their classes allow exploration in the sciences: computer, health-related, biology/chemistry, and laboratory. It may seem dull at first but their music and drama is absolutely great!!!!! (Carol is an aspiring and awesome coach for the kids in drama. ) Their H Bio course offers lab hands-on experience with dissections and their behaviorology course leads to the students exploration in the world of psychology. They are just overall great at creating well-rounded and humble kids. Appearances lie people! Enrolling your child here only leads to greater things.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2015

I have nothing more to add.I already said everything. the school needs new staff members and definitely a new principal.
Submitted by parent on November 26, 2013

This School is a good school overall it really isnt what all the other parents whos childs DONT attend this school say. The teachers there are very friendly to the parents, and the Magnet Coordinator is always very helpful , if you ever have any question on how your child is doing she is the one to go to who will keep you updated on your childs grades and anything else you need help in, Marie Kazanjian is by far one of the best Educators there is at the school. My childern have learned alot of stuff from her and also Steve Firestein some of the best teachers there & The best P.E educators would have to be Mr.Armstrong and Mr.Evans ! The campus could just a little cleaner and have better food but besides that its a very good school, & your opinion about this school just really depends on who you are and who your child hangs out with during school hours and there decisions they make.
Submitted by parent on November 22, 2013

EXCELLENt students and administrators, and teachers especially these KOUZIAN, MURRAY,WILLIAMS, CORNELL, CHAU, This school has a lot of learning environment. great students people used RESPECt with parents and other adults+++++++ AWESOME AMAZING
Submitted by parent on August 17, 2012

columbus was the greatest school for my daughter, the counselor that my dtr had very caring and always on top and accommodating,always gives me the best advice, i will never find someone like her ,never will forget her help all thruout, the office staff were always ready to help with a smile, the principal was always involved from flagraising to closing of school at the end of the day and most of her teachers were really great excellent really cared for the success of my dtr, i was really glad I put my dtr from 6th -8th grade at columbus. No regrets. The culmination ceremony was very touching!!!!!!1 Thanks a lot columbus staff
Submitted by parent on August 17, 2012

A school is a school for Columbus Middle School. They do have nice programs and provide education, but the staff and students are mean. It is not a great school for my child to be in. You have got students climbing over the fence to get the ball that is across the street (very dangerous). Students smoking at the far end of the field and there are younger children there too who should not see this or even think about this (very bad influence). There is this new security guard and he's a bit grumpy, last year's security guard was better and he was always looking out for everyone, not just Columbus students, but every children. That was nice.
Submitted by other on June 25, 2012

I am one of the former students of Columbus' Medical/Science Magnet, Class of 2012. Being in the magnet has been such a great experience. All of the teachers I had were fantastic with the usual bad one from time to time. The two best teachers in the whole school is the magnet math and science teachers. They teach us all the standards and above with flying colors. Columbus is like every other school with the trouble making kids and the below the standard teachers but you will always find that anywhere you go. All the staff will make the experience at Columbus an experience you will never forget (especially at Culmination. shhhhh!).
Submitted by other on February 04, 2012

I am a former Christopher Columbus Middle School Student, I'm from the graduating class of '08. This school is great. I had many wonderful experiences with the teachers some of which i still have communication, over the past years whenever I get the chance to visit. The S.A.S program is outstanding, it helped me challenge myself in middle school and now in High School I take AP and honors. Parents shouldn't be discourage from sending their teens due to what they hear from other parents and students who have never attended this school. Teachers have a lot of hands-on activities for students who need the extra help. The Counselors are always available for students and parents when they're having problems with teachers. Also parents who's primary language is something other than English such as Spanish there is always someone who's available to them. They have many available resources such as computers, music classes, a wide variety of books and other things. Honestly I'm proud to say I attended this school.
Submitted by other on December 09, 2011

I toured this campus recently, and was appalled by the level of profanity, "making out," and just general inappropriate behavior. Worse, very few of the teachers here even take time to address and correct these students. Admittedly, I was only on campus once, but once was more than enough for me. This is why America is failing in education. This school needs to be closed down.