Schools in Columbus, GA: A Guide for New Families

If you’re thinking about moving to Columbus, GA — you’re one of many. It’s the second-largest city in Georgia and will only continue to grow.

If you also have children or plan to start a family, ensuring your kids have the best educational opportunities is likely a top priority. Luckily, whether you’re looking for public, private, or specialty programs for your children, Columbus offers a fantastic variety of schools and resources.

In this blog, we will outline the many school options available in Columbus that can benefit your children!

Top Ranked Schools in Columbus

• Columbus High School — #2 high school in Georgia, per U.S. News & World Report.
•  Britt David Magnet Academy — #2 elementary school in Georgia, also per U.S. News.
• St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School — 2023 National Blue Ribbon School, U.S. Dept. of Education.

Public Schools in Columbus

Public schools are a popular choice for many families since they’re inherently affordable and conveniently located near your neighborhood. In Columbus, you can feel confident that your children will get a great education through the Muscogee County School District (MCSD).

Your Guide to the Muscogee County School District (MCSD)

MCSD works hard to support 30,000 students across 56 schools. They don’t limit your children to a one-size-fits-all treatment. With options ranging from advanced learning to IEPs to magnet schools, MCSD will ensure that your child gets the support they need.

In 2025, Columbus High and Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts boasted a 100% graduation rate. Other high schools in the district averaged over 96% (and keep going up!). These same MCSD students also scored above the state and national averages on the SATs.

Students in middle and high school also have a wide range of extracurricular and athletic programs to choose from, including robotics, Science Olympiad, orchestra, mock trial, track, cheerleading, tennis, and more.

Magnet and charter school options

For students who want a tailored or more rigorous academic experience, there are plenty of magnet and charter options to set them up for success — but, what are those exactly?

Magnet schools are public schools that have specific programs and offerings related to different interests and talents. Charter schools are also funded by the government and are a free option outside of the MCSD district. Both options are in high demand and require an application for enrollment.

If these alternative pathways are interesting, you can enroll your children as early as elementary school. For example, Clubview Elementary recognizes early student achievers and lets them start their education in an international baccalaureate (IB) setting or a gifted program. Britt David Magnet Academy offers an accelerated curriculum with seventeen career paths to explore.

You also have a variety of choices in Columbus for a top-tier high school education:

• Hardaway High School offers a strong IB program and career-related programs.
• Northside High School offers strong biotechnology, engineering, and STEM programs.
• For students gifted in language arts, Shaw High School Mass Communication Academy provides an excellent curriculum to prepare students for a future in journalism, media, and/or technology.
• Jordan Vocational High School College and Career Academy is a great fit for the pragmatic-minded with its specialized programs like Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), mechatronics, welding, healthcare, culinary, and more.
• Columbus High is recognized as one of the strongest academic options in Columbus for college-bound students. It’s ranked as the second-best school in all of Georgia, and 95% of students take Advanced Placement (AP) classes.
• For the artists of the family, Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts is a 6–12 magnet school where your children can explore their passion for art, dance, music, film, and creative writing.

In addition to these options, MCSD even provides a completely virtual schooling experience through the Lighthouse Virtual Academy, if your child learns best in an at-home setting

Private Schools in Columbus

Although there’s no shortage of great public schools in Columbus, there are also plenty of private school options to explore.

Brookstone School

If your child would benefit from learning in a smaller classroom, Brookstone could be a great fit. Brookstone offers rigorous curriculum, early college prep, and unique extracurriculars – like music and fine/ performing arts courses – so students can explore their interests. It is ranked as the best private K-12 school in the city and is the only non-religious private school in Columbus.

St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School

If you’re looking for a faith-based option, St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School is a stand-out choice. This K-12 school pairs faith with community and stimulating academics. Students can challenge themselves through gifted, honors, or AP classes. They also have a large variety of sports like basketball, cheerleading, and golf for students to stay active.

Calvary Christian School

Calvary Christian School is another faith-based K-12 option. From weekly chapel services to chorale rehearsals to the student government association, students will have plenty of opportunities to build community and grow. Calvary also has a strong academic advising program to prepare your child for college.

St. Luke School

St. Luke School is another great Christian option for younger children in grades K-8. They provide Biblical curriculum and strongly encourage faith-based volunteering, like servant leadership and supporting local food pantries. St. Luke’s has a maximum classroom size of 16–18 students to ensure each child is getting specialized instruction.

Other Private Schools in Columbus

Waverly Hall Christian Academy and Wynnbrook Christian School are two additional strong options for your child. Waverly Hall prides itself on its great K-12 religious education and even has its own archery range. Wynnbrook offers flexible education options like half-day preschools, traditional pre-K through 8th-grade classrooms, classes for high-functioning children with special needs, and a part-time homeschool group.

Schools Near Columbus, Georgia (in Alabama)

Based on where you live in Columbus, you might be zoned for schools outside of the MCSD system. We’ve highlighted additional schools located outside of the MCSD system below, that are in Alabama, with close proximity to Columbus.

In neighboring Phenix City, located across the Chattahoochee river on the Alabama border, you may be zoned for Russell County. This district provides resources like career tech programs and a child nutrition program.

Glenwood School is a great  private school option in Alabama, which offers small classrooms to create an intimate learning environment.

Extracurricular and Specialty Programs in Columbus

In Columbus, your children will have diverse and plentiful extracurricular opportunities to grow their passions – in and outside of the classroom!

The Arts

The Springer Academy is a fantastic opportunity for students who are interested in pursuing theater and music. The program is run out of the Springer Opera House, a 150-year-old operating landmark that is the official state theater of Georgia and a cornerstone of Columbus’ arts culture.

FabArts is also committed to helping Columbus students grow in the visual arts. FabArts is a local arts education nonprofit that connects arts organizations and teaching artists with schools in the MCSD district.

Many local schools like Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts also offer arts-based curriculum, including courses and programs for creative writing, theatre, music, and visual arts.

Sports and Leadership

Columbus middle and high schools offer plenty of athletic opportunities, like cross country, cheerleading, football, rifle team, and golf – to name a few! Fun fact: Columbus is dominating in girls’ flag football! The Central-Phenix City flag football team just outside of Columbus was ranked #1 in the nation in 2024 and the St. Anne Pacelli’s girls’ flag football team captured their fourth straight state championship!  The Columbus High School boys soccer team and boys wrestling, Carver High School football team, and the Harris County High School softball team also won state championships in 2024!

These sports programs, along with other extracurriculars like JROTC and student government, will ensure your child learns leadership and teamwork that can be applied not only in the classroom and out on the field, but into the broader community.

Support Services

For students who thrive with additional support and guidance, it’s easy for them to find tutoring and counseling. Columbus schools also offer extra assistance for students with special needs through individualized education programs (IEPs).

If your student has dyslexia, MCSD offers early testing and proactive measures to help them succeed in the classroom.

Plus, community support programs like subsidized meals and scholarships help empower all families to maximize Columbus’ academic opportunities.

Resources for New Students & Families

If you’re set on making the move to Columbus, Georgia — congratulations! Here are the key resources to help you navigate your child’s admissions process:

• Access the Muscogee County School District website here to learn about admissions and program inquiries.
• Enroll your child online and apply for magnet programs here.
• Explore public elementary contacts here.
• Find public middle school contacts here.
• Locate public high school contacts here.

Early Learning & Pre-K Options

Columbus supports families from the start, with licensed childcare centers that welcome infants as young as six weeks and Pre-K programs designed to build confidence and school readiness. Flexible scheduling is available to support military families and working parents.

Higher Education in and Around Columbus

Whether you’re starting college, returning to school, or looking for job-ready training, the Columbus region offers a wide range of higher education options.

• Columbus State University – is a public university with 90+ degree programs, a thriving creative campus in Uptown Columbus, and strong ties to industry and the arts. 
• Columbus Technical College offers hands-on career training in fields like healthcare, business, public safety, and skilled trades. 
• Chattahoochee Valley Community College, located just across the river in Alabama, provides accessible two-year degrees and transfer pathways. 
• Georgia Military College offers two-year associate degrees and online programs built to serve military families and working adults.
• Troy University – Phenix City Campus offers flexible bachelor’s and graduate degree programs tailored for working adults. 
• Mercer University – School of Medicine trains the next generation of physicians, partnering with major local hospitals to offer hands-on clinical experience.

Five Tips for New Students and Families in Columbus

Here are tips and time frames to keep in mind throughout this process:

1. For enrollment eligibility, you need to provide proof of residency in Muscogee County.
2. Open houses are typically held in November.
3. Magnet program applications for the 2025-2026 school year are due January 9, 2026.
4. Entrance exams (for the schools that require them, like Columbus High School) can range from early December to early February.
5. Be prepared to have teacher recommendations on hand for some magnet schools.

Why Columbus Is a Great Place for Families

Thanks to a strong public school system, a variety of magnet programs, and many private schools to choose from, Columbus is an outstanding place to move for families. With abundant career opportunities for all parents and plenty of educational programs for your kids – you can feel confident that the entire family will be set up for success in Columbus.

Ready to be a part of our community? Connect with us to learn more about living in Columbus, explore neighborhoods and schools, and get helpful resources to help make your move easier.