Total enrollment
3,472
-27 (-1%) vs SY 2020-21
Columbia County
Arkansas · Public K-12
Parents in Columbia County researching K-12 options have 9 public schools to consider, with combined enrollment near 3,472 (4 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high).
4-year change in Columbia County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
9
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Columbia County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Arkansas | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 35.3% | #30 of 66 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 3,472 | #28 of 68 | #1,687 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 9 | #32 of 68 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 12.2:1 | #44 of 65 | #590 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 82.3% | #21 of 68 | #459 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 60.1% | #9 of 66 | #556 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Columbia County school rankings
Residents
22,349
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
9
2 districts
Enrollment
3,472
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$55,334
Above Arkansas avg
Free/reduced lunch
82.3%
Above Arkansas avg
Elementary
4
1,256 students
Middle
2
1,019 students
High
3
1,197 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
MAGNOLIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
2,505 students · 2 districts in Columbia County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Columbia County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
21.9%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
17.1%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.2%
civilian labor
Median age
34
21.5% under 18
Test scores in Columbia County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 7 schools ranked. Arkansas state average: 34.9%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- EMERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 65.9%
- TAYLOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 46.3%
- TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL· 43.7%
- EMERSON HIGH SCHOOL· 36.3%
- MAGNOLIA MIDDLE SCHOOL· 27.0%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 24.6%
- MAGNOLIA HIGH SCHOOL· 25.6%
- MAGNOLIA MIDDLE SCHOOL· 27.0%
- EMERSON HIGH SCHOOL· 36.3%
- TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL· 43.7%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAGNOLIA HIGH SCHOOL | Magnolia | High | 09-12 | 797 | · |
| EAST SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Magnolia | Elementary | KG-02 | 570 | · |
| CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Magnolia | Middle | 03-07 | 527 | · |
| MAGNOLIA MIDDLE SCHOOL | Magnolia | Middle | 06-08 | 492 | · |
| TAYLOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Taylor | Elementary | KG-06 | 341 | · |
| TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL | Taylor | High | 07-12 | 264 | · |
| EMERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Emerson | Elementary | KG-06 | 226 | · |
| EMERSON HIGH SCHOOL | Emerson | High | 07-12 | 136 | · |
| WALKER PRE-K CENTER | Magnolia | Elementary | PK-PK | 119 | · |
Cities in Columbia County
About Columbia County
Columbia County is a rural-scale county of about 22,349 residents in Arkansas. Its public-school system enrolls approximately 3,472 students across 9 schools.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $55,334, about 22% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the poverty rate is around 17%. That income level is 6% meaningfully above the Arkansas median.
For a sense of the school types, Columbia County spans 4 elementary schools (1,256 students), 2 middle schools (1,019), and 3 high schools (1,197).
The largest single district in Columbia County is MAGNOLIA SCHOOL DISTRICT, which alone enrolls about 2,505 students.
Over the past 4-year window. Across the same 4-year window, public-school enrollment stayed largely flat: 3,499 students in SY 2020-21 versus 3,472 in SY 2024-25.
On allk12, the community for Columbia County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data