For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public high schools serving 5,811 students in Columbia, MO.
The top ranked public high schools in Columbia, MO are Delmar A Cobble School, Rock Bridge Sr. High School and David H. Hickman High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbia, MO public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 24% (versus the Missouri public high school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 51% statewide average). High schools in Columbia have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Missouri public high schools.
Columbia, MO public high school have a Graduation Rate of 87%, which is less than the Missouri average of 89%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Rock Bridge Sr. High School, with 95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Missouri or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Missouri public high school average of 30% (majority Black).
Best Public High Schools in Columbia, MO (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Delmar A Cobble School
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
108 W Craig St
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 442-6482
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 442-6482
Grades: K-12
| 7 students
Rank: #22.
Rock Bridge Sr. High School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4303 S Providence Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3100
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3100
Grades: 9-12
| 2,056 students
Rank: #33.
David H. Hickman High School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1104 N Providence Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3000
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3000
Grades: 9-12
| 2,035 students
Rank: #44.
Muriel Battle High School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
7575 St. Charles Road
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3300
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3300
Grades: 9-12
| 1,508 students
Rank: #55.
Frederick Douglass High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
310 N. Providence Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3680
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3680
Grades: 9-12
| 176 students
Rank: n/an/a
Columbia Area Career Center
Vocational School
4203 S Providence Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3800
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3800
Grades: 10-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
1250 E Brown School Rd
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 449-3756
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 449-3756
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Juvenile Justice Center
Alternative School
5665 Roger I Wilson Mem Dr
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 886-4450
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 886-4450
Grades: 1-12
| 16 students
Rank: n/an/a
101e Townsend Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
(855) 256-4975
Columbia, MO 65211
(855) 256-4975
Grades: K-12
| 13 students
Columbia, Missouri Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Alpha School (Closed 2011)
Alternative School
1250 Brown School Rd
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 449-2953
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 449-2953
Grades: 5-12
| n/a students
Delmar A Cobble (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
108 West Craig
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 442-6482
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 442-6482
Grades: Inquire with school
| 33 students
1010 Rangeline St
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 214-3620
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 214-3620
Grades: PK-5
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public high schools in Columbia, MO?
The top ranked public high schools in Columbia, MO include Delmar A Cobble School, Rock Bridge Sr. High School and David H. Hickman High School.
How many public high schools are located in Columbia?
9 public high schools are located in Columbia.
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia?
Columbia public high schools minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Missouri public high schools average of 30% (majority Black).
Which public high schools in Columbia are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Columbia include: Rock Bridge Sr. High School vs. David H. Hickman High School, David H. Hickman High School vs. Rock Bridge Sr. High School, Muriel Battle High School vs. David H. Hickman High School
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