Columbia Elementary School vs. Heritage Elementary School
Should you attend Columbia Elementary School or Heritage Elementary School? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.
School Overview
School
Top Rankings
Columbia Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Diversity
Heritage Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Diversity
Overview
Serving 776 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, Columbia Elementary School ranks in the top 5% of all schools in Alabama for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 5%, and reading proficiency is top 5%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 67% (which is higher than the Alabama state average of 30%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 76% (which is higher than the Alabama state average of 47%).
The student-teacher ratio of 16:1 is lower than the Alabama state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 46% of the student body (majority Black and Asian), which is lower than the Alabama state average of 49% (majority Black).
Heritage Elementary School ranked #13 in Alabama in 2023, improving from #53 in 2018 and consistently placing in the top 20% statewide over recent years as a Madison, AL public school.
Math proficiency at Heritage was 77% in 2023, significantly higher than the state average of 30% and district average of 58%, maintaining a top 1% ranking; reading proficiency was 82%, higher than the state average of 47%; science proficiency ranged 70–74%, also higher than the state average of 38%.
Enrollment rose slightly to 849 students in grades K–5 with a 17:1 student–teacher ratio; minority enrollment was 46%, reflecting a diverse student population including 110 Asian/Pacific Islander and 148 Black students.
Percentage of students eligible for free lunch increased from 8% in 2021 to 19% in 2023, indicating a rise in socioeconomic need; Heritage is Title I eligible and participates in the National School Lunch Program.
The school maintained a strong 95% graduation rate in 2023, outperforming the Alabama state average of 88% and matching the district rate.
Grades Offered
PK-5
K-5
Total Students
776 students
849 students
% Male | % Female
51% | 49%
49% | 51%
Total Classroom Teachers
48 teachers
51 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
17:1
Test Scores
Overall Testing Rank
#52 out of 1275 schools in AL
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
#13 out of 1275 schools in AL
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
67%
77%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
76%
82%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
60-64%
70-74%
Students by Grade
Students by Grade
Kindergarten Students
109
103
Grade 1 Students
128
141
Grade 2 Students
130
135
Grade 3 Students
144
153
Grade 4 Students
110
164
Grade 5 Students
155
153
Students by Ethnicity
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
11%
13%
% Hispanic
9%
8%
% Black
18%
17%
% White
54%
54%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
8%
7%
Diversity Score
0.66
0.66
Additional Information
Eligible for Free Lunch
25%
23%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
2%
