Southern Columbia Area School District

800 Southern Drive
Catawissa, PA 17820-8410
(District boundaries shown in map)
9/
10
Top 20%

Top Rankings

Southern Columbia Area School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Pennsylvania for:

Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 3 public schools serving 1,195 students in Southern Columbia Area School District. This district's average testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public schools in Pennsylvania.
Public Schools in Southern Columbia Area School District have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the Pennsylvania public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 68% (versus the 56% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 6% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Pennsylvania public school average of 40% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (PA)
# Schools
3 Schools
2,932 Schools
# Students
1,195 Students
1,666,699 Students
# Teachers
92 Teachers
124,207 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Southern Columbia Area School District, which is ranked within the top 20% of all 677 school districts in Pennsylvania (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 92% has decreased from 95% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (PA)
#98 out of 685 school districts
(Top 20%)
50%
38%
69%
55%
68%
57%
92%
87%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.11
0.60
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
5%
% Hispanic
2%
16%
% Black
1%
14%
% White
95%
60%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
5%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $19,999 in this school district is less than the state median of $23,724. The school district revenue/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $18,602 is less than the state median of $23,146. The school district spending/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
This School District
This State (PA)
Total Revenue
$24 MM
$39,541 MM
Spending
$22 MM
$38,578 MM
Revenue / Student
$19,999
$23,724
Spending / Student
$18,602
$23,146

Best Southern Columbia Area School District Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Southern Columbia High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
812 Southern Drive
Catawissa, PA 17820
(570) 356-3450
Gr: 9-12 | 348 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #22.
Hartman El Center
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
802 Southern Drive
Catawissa, PA 17820
(570) 356-3250
Gr: K-4 | 480 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #33.
Southern Columbia Middle School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
810 Southern Drive
Catawissa, PA 17820
(570) 356-3400
Gr: 5-8 | 367 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 5%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Southern Columbia Area School District?
Southern Columbia Area School District manages 3 public schools serving 1,195 students.
What is the rank of Southern Columbia Area School District?
Southern Columbia Area School District is ranked #106 out of 677 school districts in Pennsylvania (top 20%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Pennsylvania school districts for: Highest overall rank (Top 20%), Highest math proficiency (Top 20%), Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%) and Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
What is the racial composition of students in Southern Columbia Area School District?
95% of Southern Columbia Area School District students are White, 2% of students are Hispanic, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Southern Columbia Area School District?
Southern Columbia Area School District has a student/teacher ratio of 13:1, which is equal to the Pennsylvania state average of 13:1.
What is Southern Columbia Area School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $18,602 is less than the state median of $23,146. The school district spending/student has grown by 5% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 3 schools
  • Grades: K-12
  • Enrollment: 1,195 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 6%
  • : 92% (Top 20% in PA)
  • : Top 20%
  • : 50% (Top 20%)
  • : 69% (Top 20%)
  • : 68% (Top 30%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), PA Dept. of Education

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