For the 2026 school year, there are 21 public schools serving 8,900 students in Columbia County, PA (there are 8 private schools, serving 751 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Columbia County, PA are educated in public schools (compared to the PA state average of 86%).
The top-ranked public schools in Columbia County, PA are Beaver-main Elementary School, Southern Columbia High School and W W Evans Memorial Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbia County, PA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the Pennsylvania public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 61% (versus the 56% statewide average). Schools in Columbia County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Pennsylvania public schools.
Minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Pennsylvania public school average of 40% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Best Public Schools in Columbia County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Beaver-main Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
245 Beaver Valley Road
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-0309
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-0309
Gr: K-5 | 95 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #22.
Southern Columbia High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
812 Southern Drive
Catawissa, PA 17820
(570) 356-3450
Catawissa, PA 17820
(570) 356-3450
Gr: 9-12 | 348 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #33.
W W Evans Memorial Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
59 Perry Ave
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-3167
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-3167
Gr: K-5 | 250 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #44.
Central Columbia Sr. High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4777 Old Berwick Rd
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-2833
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-2833
Gr: 9-12 | 601 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #55.
Central Columbia Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4777 Old Berwick Rd
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-2850
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-2850
Gr: K-4 | 705 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #66.
Hartman El Center
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
802 Southern Drive
Catawissa, PA 17820
(570) 356-3250
Catawissa, PA 17820
(570) 356-3250
Gr: K-4 | 480 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #77.
Central Columbia Middle School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4777 Old Berwick Rd
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-6103
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-6103
Gr: 5-8 | 587 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #88.
L R Appleman Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
525 Park Street
Benton, PA 17814
(570) 925-6971
Benton, PA 17814
(570) 925-6971
Gr: K-6 | 308 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #99.
Memorial Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
500 Market St
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-7885
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-7885
Gr: K-5 | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #1010.
East Berwick Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
810 East Tenth Street
Berwick, PA 18603
(570) 759-6400
Berwick, PA 18603
(570) 759-6400
Gr: K-4 | 539 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Millville Area Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
370 Batten Lane
Millville, PA 17846
(570) 458-5538
Millville, PA 17846
(570) 458-5538
Gr: K-6 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Southern Columbia Middle School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
810 Southern Drive
Catawissa, PA 17820
(570) 356-3400
Catawissa, PA 17820
(570) 356-3400
Gr: 5-8 | 367 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1313.
Bloomsburg Area High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1200 Railroad St
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-6100
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-6100
Gr: 9-12 | 362 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1414.
Millville Area Jr. Sr. High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
345 School House Lane
Millville, PA 17846
(570) 458-5538
Millville, PA 17846
(570) 458-5538
Gr: 7-12 | 234 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1515.
Benton Area Middle School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
400 Park St
Benton, PA 17814
(570) 925-2651
Benton, PA 17814
(570) 925-2651
Gr: 7-8 | 100 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1616.
Bloomsburg Area Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1100 Railroad St
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-9100
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-9100
Gr: 6-8 | 380 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1717.
Berwick Area Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1100 Evergreen Drive
Berwick, PA 18603
(570) 759-6400
Berwick, PA 18603
(570) 759-6400
Gr: 5-8 | 837 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1818.
West Berwick Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
809 Sycamore St
Berwick, PA 18603
(570) 759-6400
Berwick, PA 18603
(570) 759-6400
Gr: K-4 | 487 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1919.
Benton Area High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
400 Park St
Benton, PA 17814
(570) 925-6651
Benton, PA 17814
(570) 925-6651
Gr: 9-12 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #2020.
Columbia-montour Area Vocational-technical School
Vocational School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
5050 Sweppenheiser Drive
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-8040
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-8040
Gr: 9-12 | 609 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #2121.
Berwick Area High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1100 Fowler Ave
Berwick, PA 18603
(570) 759-6400
Berwick, PA 18603
(570) 759-6400
Gr: 9-12 | 692 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Columbia County, PA?
The top-ranked public schools in Columbia County, PA include Beaver-main Elementary School, Southern Columbia High School and W W Evans Memorial Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Columbia County?
21 public schools are located in Columbia County.
What percentage of students in Columbia County go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Columbia County are educated in public schools (compared to the PA state average of 86%).
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia County?
Columbia County public schools minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Pennsylvania public schools average of 40% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Which public schools in Columbia County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Columbia County include: Bloomsburg Area Middle School vs. Central Columbia Middle School, Central Columbia Middle School vs. Bloomsburg Area Middle School, Central Columbia Sr. High School vs. Bloomsburg Area High School
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