For the 2025 school year, there are 6 public preschools serving 2,511 students in Columbia, TN.
The top ranked public preschools in Columbia, TN are J E Woodard Elementary School, J. R. Baker Elementary School and Riverside Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbia, TN public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 28% (versus the Tennessee public pre school average of 37%), and reading proficiency score of 27% (versus the 37% statewide average). Pre schools in Columbia have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Tennessee public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 55% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Tennessee public preschool average of 42% (majority Black).
Best Public Preschools in Columbia, TN (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
J E Woodard Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
207 Rutherford Ln
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 380-2872
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 380-2872
Grades: PK-4
| 547 students
Rank: #22.
J. R. Baker Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1301 Hamphire Pike
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 388-3319
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 388-3319
Grades: PK-4
| 323 students
Rank: #33.
Riverside Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
203 Carter St
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 840-4422
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 840-4422
Grades: PK-4
| 405 students
Rank: #44.
R Howell Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
653 Bear Creek Pike
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 540-1032
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 540-1032
Grades: PK-4
| 594 students
Rank: #55.
Highland Park Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1606 Highland Ave
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 388-7325
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 388-7325
Grades: PK-4
| 287 students
Rank: #66.
J. Brown Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
301 Cord Dr
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 388-3601
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 388-3601
Grades: PK-4
| 355 students
Columbia, Tennessee Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
714 West 7th St
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 840-4418
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 840-4418
Grades: PK-4
| 335 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public preschools in Columbia, TN?
The top ranked public preschools in Columbia, TN include J E Woodard Elementary School, J. R. Baker Elementary School and Riverside Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Columbia?
6 public preschools are located in Columbia.
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia?
Columbia public preschools minority enrollment is 55% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Tennessee public preschools average of 42% (majority Black).
Which public preschools in Columbia are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Columbia include: Riverside Elementary School vs. R Howell Elementary School, J. Brown Elementary School vs. Highland Park Elementary School, R Howell Elementary School vs. Riverside Elementary School
Recent Articles

Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.

Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.

Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.