For the 2025 school year, there are 21 public schools serving 8,900 students in Columbia County, PA (there are , serving 674 private students). 93% 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 Southern Columbia High School, Bloomsburg Area High School and Central Columbia Sr. High 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 44% (versus the Pennsylvania public school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 61% (versus the 55% 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 39% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Best Public Schools in Columbia County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Southern Columbia High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
812 Southern Drive
Catawissa, PA 17820
(570) 356-3450
Catawissa, PA 17820
(570) 356-3450
Grades: 9-12
| 364 students
Rank: #22.
Bloomsburg Area High School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1200 Railroad St
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-6100
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-6100
Grades: 9-12
| 389 students
Rank: #33.
Central Columbia Sr. High School
(Math: 85-89% | 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
Grades: 9-12
| 606 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Hartman El Center
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
802 Southern Drive
Catawissa, PA 17820
(570) 356-3250
Catawissa, PA 17820
(570) 356-3250
Grades: K-4
| 461 students
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
W W Evans Memorial Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
59 Perry Ave
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-3167
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-3167
Grades: K-5
| 254 students
Rank: #66.
Beaver-main Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
245 Beaver Valley Road
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-0309
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-0309
Grades: K-5
| 91 students
Rank: #77.
Central Columbia Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4777 Old Berwick Rd
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-2850
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-2850
Grades: K-4
| 704 students
Rank: #88.
Central Columbia Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4777 Old Berwick Rd
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-6103
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-6103
Grades: 5-8
| 630 students
Rank: #99.
Benton Area High School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
400 Park St
Benton, PA 17814
(570) 925-6651
Benton, PA 17814
(570) 925-6651
Grades: 9-12
| 202 students
Rank: #1010.
L R Appleman Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
525 Park Street
Benton, PA 17814
(570) 925-6971
Benton, PA 17814
(570) 925-6971
Grades: K-6
| 307 students
Rank: #1111.
Memorial Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
500 Market St
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-7885
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-7885
Grades: K-5
| 413 students
Rank: #1212.
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
Grades: K-6
| 286 students
Rank: #1313.
Berwick Area High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1100 Fowler Ave
Berwick, PA 18603
(570) 759-6400
Berwick, PA 18603
(570) 759-6400
Grades: 9-12
| 721 students
Rank: #1414.
Salem Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | 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
Grades: K-4
| 384 students
Rank: #1515.
Southern Columbia Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
810 Southern Drive
Catawissa, PA 17820
(570) 356-3400
Catawissa, PA 17820
(570) 356-3400
Grades: 5-8
| 382 students
Rank: #1616.
Millville Area Jr. Sr. High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
345 School House Lane
Millville, PA 17846
(570) 458-5538
Millville, PA 17846
(570) 458-5538
Grades: 7-12
| 240 students
Rank: #1717.
Benton Area Middle School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
400 Park St
Benton, PA 17814
(570) 925-2651
Benton, PA 17814
(570) 925-2651
Grades: 7-8
| 113 students
Rank: #1818.
Bloomsburg Area Middle School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1100 Railroad St
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-9100
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-9100
Grades: 6-8
| 368 students
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Berwick Area Middle School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1100 Evergreen Drive
Berwick, PA 18603
(570) 759-6400
Berwick, PA 18603
(570) 759-6400
Grades: 5-8
| 878 students
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
West Berwick Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
809 Sycamore St
Berwick, PA 18603
(570) 759-6400
Berwick, PA 18603
(570) 759-6400
Grades: K-4
| 490 students
Rank: #2121.
Columbia-montour Area Vocational-technical School
Vocational School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
5050 Sweppenheiser Drive
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-8040
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 784-8040
Grades: 9-12
| 617 students
Columbia County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
400 Park Street
Benton, PA 17814
(570) 925-2651
Benton, PA 17814
(570) 925-2651
Grades: 7-12
| 277 students
1401 N Market St
Berwick, PA 18603
(570) 759-6430
Berwick, PA 18603
(570) 759-6430
Grades: PK-5
| 229 students
845 Orange St
Berwick, PA 18603
(570) 759-6422
Berwick, PA 18603
(570) 759-6422
Grades: K-5
| 467 students
Susq-cyber Charter School (Closed 2024)
Charter School
240 Market Street, Suite 15
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 245-0252
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
(570) 245-0252
Grades: 9-12
| 71 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Columbia County, PA?
The top ranked public schools in Columbia County, PA include Southern Columbia High School, Bloomsburg Area High School and Central Columbia Sr. High 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?
93% 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 39% (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, Millville Area Elementary School vs. Central Columbia Elementary School
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