Columbus (Christopher) High

12330 Woodruff Avenue

School District

Downey Unified
Grade

10-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

public

School Map for Downey 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 student on August 05, 2019

10/10 this school saved my life and future.
Submitted by student on September 03, 2014

I attended Columbus one year and graduated from there. I stopped by today while the office was super busy, everyone took time to talk to me. It just made me remember how nice everyone was the first time I walked in the office to register a year ago. First I had to go to the Orientation with my mom, where I found the principal to be funny and informative. She helped me feel better about going there. She always took time to talk to me or even smile as she was moving us all to class on time. The VP was always so nice to me, even when I got into a little trouble. Ms. Jordan, in the office, is always so nice to everyone coming in. Nothing has changed. I love the atmosphere here! I saw some of my old teachers and they all remembered me and I had to tell them how helpful they were to me. Instead of me wasting time on being social snotty with "the cool kids," I learned more about how to help myself become a better "ME." I really appreciate what these great people did to help me accomplish my dreams after high school. There is no better school than this one. The new students who are coming in this year are very lucky to be at Columbus High School .
Submitted by parent on July 30, 2014

THIS SCHOOL IS THE BEST PLACE FOR STUDENTS WHO NEED THAT EXTRA BOOST TO GET THEM TO GRADUATION. MY KID WAS JUST NOT A GOOD STUDENT FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS. IT WAS CONSTANTLY A FIGHT. I SAW HIM START GETTING INTO THINGS AND LOSING FRIENDS AND DITCHING. HE HAD TO BE TRANSFERRED SOMEWHERE BECAUSE HE WAS GOING TO BE A DROP OUT. NO MATTER HOW MUCH I TALKED TO HIM NOTHING HAPPEND. CHS SAVED MY KID! THEY KEPT IN TOUCH WITH ME FOR GOOD AND BAD THINGS HE WAS DOING. HE STARTED TALKING TO ME ABOUT THE NICE TEACHERS WHO ALWAYS HELPED HIM. HE TOLD ME THAT THE PRINCIPAL AND VP KNEW HIS NAME AND TALKED TO HIM EVEN WHEN HE WASNT IN TROUBLE. HE STARTED TALKING ABOUT COLLEGE AND HOW THE COUNSELOR WAS HELPING HIM. HE TOLD ME HE EVEN HAD A RESUME! THIS SCHOOL HELPED MY SON GROW UP . I AM SO PROUD OF HIM AND CANT SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THIS SCHOOL.
Submitted by student on August 11, 2013

I attended CHS in 2007. I was having trouble at Warren and they did not want to help me graduate at all, in fact, they couldn't be quicker to boot me off to CHS. Warren does NOT help kids who NEED it. At CHS I loved the small campus, and mostly all the teachers were into what they did for a living. One teacher still stands out in my memory though and that was Mr. Hecker. He was so passionate about teaching and really got us all involved, he was very interactive and cheerful and students actually looked forward to having Mr.Hecker for English. If Warren and Downey high had at least one teacher who was as passionate and invested in their students as that, maybe they wouldn't be booting so many kids off to CHS instead of helping them every year. It was a good school, and most of my fond high school memories were with the kids I met there. CHS helped them graduate and get into college. I still keep in touch with some of them, actually.
Submitted by other on January 25, 2013

I'm a parent and there is a whole lot of good things about Columbus High School. Columbus is a fine high school with people who care about the students and help them do better and guide them to making better choices. The school is WASC approved, and in fact, from what I recall, Columbus graduates more students than any other local continuation high school. The teachers are highly qualified and have "heart" to work with students who have issues with academics, attendance, and other teenage things. The teachers and staff are good role models, and if a parent is having a problem, there is always someone to listen to us, hear our concerns, and problem solve.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2013

I just got somethin from my kids school to tell them whot i think abot them. They got him graduaeted! I still dont beleive it and never thoght this day wold ever happen! the werld needs to know what a great place this school is! i thoght he wold end up in jail! They changed him to make himcare abot a diploma! dont know how they did that! they are the best
Submitted by other on January 23, 2013

My neighbor's kid went here and he posted a review and I thought I would too. My neighbor's kid was a hellraiser and we all thought he would be a drop out and end up in jail and he gave his dad a real hard time. he graduated instead of getting arrested. The kid has a job and it turns out he can be a real nice. This school was amazing. They helped him change and I know they helped him turn it around. No other school could make him listen. Not sure how they did it, but I know they were calling my neighbor a lot and sending him stuff and even told him how good he was doing. He didn't beleive it at first. No one in our apartments did. Good job Columbus!
Submitted by other on January 23, 2013

Columbus is a hidden gem in the Downey Unified School District. They accept students who are having a very tough time in their home high schools, and between the faculty and staff at Columbus, these kids get another chance at turning things around. The principal is an outstanding leader, and from the top down, everyone is caring, compassionate and encouraging. Some of these kids are so rough around the edges, but with the encouragement found at Columbus, they strive to achieve, they have hope, and they are proud of their accomplishments. Each student is an important part of the school, and because of the school climate, the smaller size of the school and it's focus on education and helping the individual achieve success and goals, no one gets "lost" or falls between the cracks.
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2012

I love love love the teachers and staff at this school. They put education and the students first, and do everything possible to make sure the students succeed. The principal always has time to say an encouraging word to the students, and even when I didn't have an appointment, she always had time to see me and listen to my concerns, and helped with any questions I had about credits and graduation. This school, hands down, is better than any school in the district. I know a lot of time, continuation schools get bad press, or no press at all, which is unfortunate. I'd take Columbus over any high school in this district. Everyone cares about the students and their successes.