Columbia Elementary School

667 Balch Road

School District

Madison City
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Madison City 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 July 19, 2022

Great teaches and leadership who genuinely care about their students.
Submitted by parent on December 31, 2018

We love Columbia. I have one child who has graduated from it and another two who are there currently. One of my children struggles academically and two excel. My child who struggles was given additional help without me ever having to ask. A couple of my children have enjoyed math club, science club, and chess team, and one child enjoyed being in the school play. The administrators care about your children and are great with responding to concerns. PTA is active and offers many opportunities to volunteer.
Submitted by student on April 21, 2018

Some people say that CES is awful! But I strongly disagree. I've been a student here for a long time and ive learned he teachers and staff are super kind and encouraging! Some other studens don like school because it's, well, school! When hey tell their parents about it they twist it all up, and its almost never what its actually like!!! When a bully comes, teachers help and care. When you have problems, they help you! This is a great school, and i actually do no want o go to middle school because i would have to switch schools!!!!
Submitted by other on August 08, 2016

This is our first year at Columbia and we are very pleased with our child's teacher, the administration and overall support we have received during this difficult transition.
Submitted by parent on April 19, 2016

This school has poor teacher/student, teacher/parent, & administration/parent relationships. There's a lot of negative teachers who don't like children or people in general. We have had a few good teachers; but the bad outweigh the good by a lot. Test scores are great because parents are highly educated & parents are forced to make kids do a lot of test prep homework. Principal thinks teachers can do no wrong. It's really sad that he respects my husband more than me & will respond to him simply because he's a man. We bought our home in this district because of previous good administration, and now we wish we were elsewhere. It's a shame that our kids' childhoods are spent at this school. One in particular killed my daughter's happy spirit. Other schools in area are much better!
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2015

There is a very small group of good, qualified teachers at this school. However, most of them are fresh out of college and inexperienced. They lack the basic knowledge and professionalism to do their jobs effectively. The teachers do not even appear to like children. The main qualifications for hiring teachers at this school and this system are that they attended the local high school and/or are the relative of someone in the system. Bob Jones grads and Madison County system admin apply only please. Nepotism and favoritism are rampant throughout Madison City! There are three pairs of mother/daughter teachers at this school alone! The communication from administration down is atrocious! Emails are not returned and requests for conferences are questioned. There have been four principals within the last five years. Our current principal is disingenuous at best. This is his first year as a principal and he does not have an elementary background. By far, this is the worst school and system that my children have attended. The belief MCS hires the best, most experienced teachers and administrators as well as is one of the top educational systems in our area is a myth!
Submitted by parent on December 17, 2013

The facility is nice, but I WOULD NOT recommend. My son's first grade teach, Kim Adams, was absolutely HORRIBLE! I went to the principal hoping to get a resolution with my problem, but he WAS NO help at all.
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2013

Great school for my grandson. He is adjusting well with kindergarten and looks forward to school everyday!
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2013

This school is awesome. The teachers are stellar, being able to know what my daughter does every minute of every day is also nice.
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2013

I am so happy that my children attend Columbia Elementary School. The teachers and school staff are top notch. This school encourages parent involvement and that makes it feel like a school family.