- WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 695 students
- EASTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 655 students
- FORT WHITE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 644 students
- MELROSE PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 635 students
- COLUMBIA CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 585 students
- SUMMERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 492 students
- PINEMOUNT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 448 students
- FIVE POINTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — Grades PK–5 · 349 students
- PREK ESE — Grades PK–PK · 7 students
- LAKE CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL — Grades 7–8 · 809 students
- RICHARDSON SIXTH GRADE ACADEMY — Grades 6–6 · 455 students
- COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL — Grades 9–12 · 1,711 students
- COLUMBIA VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM (DISTRICT PROVIDED) — Grades 9–12
- FORT WHITE HIGH SCHOOL — Grades 6–12 · 1,101 students
- BELMONT ACADEMY — Grades PK–12 · 828 students
- PATHWAYS ACADEMY — Grades 6–12 · 94 students
- COLUMBIA VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM — Grades K–12
- COLUMBIA VIRTUAL FRANCHISE — Grades 6–12
- NIBLACK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
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| Metric | Columbia County School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 9,887 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 19 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $10,500/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 7/10 — Good | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia County School District (this district) | 7/10 | 61st | 9,887 |
| Miami-Dade County Public Schools | 8/10 | 72nd | 334,090 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 74 rated districts in FL → 61st percentile → 7/10.
Source: Florida Dept. of Education FAST ELA & Mathematics, 2024. Full methodology →
About Columbia County School District
Columbia County School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 32096 in Columbia, Florida. Serving students from Pre-K – 12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 32096. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 7/10 Rating
With a rating of 7/10 (above average), Columbia County School District ranks among Florida’s above average-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Florida’s FAST ELA & Mathematics assessments (2024 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Florida is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Columbia County School District earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Florida. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 32096
Children in zip code 32096 are assigned to Columbia County School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 32096, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Columbia County School District at (386)755-8000 or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Florida districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in White Springs
For families considering a purchase in the Columbia area, district assignment matters financially. Because Columbia County School District serves zip code 32096, homes in and around zip code 32096 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Florida, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Columbia County School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 32096.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Columbia County School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 32096 data.