FL Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr. 2023 | Commissioner of Education
FL Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr. 2023 | Commissioner of Education
Of the 9,785 students attending Columbia County schools, 59.8% were white. Black students were the second largest ethnicity, making up 22.1% of Columbia County students.
In the previous school year, white students were also the most common ethnicity in Columbia County, representing 61.9% of the student body.
Summers Elementary School had the most even distribution of races among the county schools, including 39.5% white students, 36.9% Black students, 12.4% Hispanic students, and 10% multiracial students.
In the 2023-24 school year, the total number of students enrolled in the county dropped 1% when compared to the previous year.
Meanwhile, Florida continues to face a teacher shortage in the 2023-24 school year. Despite some improvements, the state reported nearly 4,800 instructional vacancies at the beginning of the year. According to the Florida Department of Education, core subjects such as English, reading, and math among the areas with the highest demand for teachers.
According to the National Education Association (NEA), Florida ranked 50th in the U.S. for teacher pay in the 2022-23 school year, with salaries lower than they were a decade ago when adjusted for inflation.
Governor DeSantis's budget for the 2024-25 school year allocates nearly $38 billion for education, with $1.25 billion dedicated to teachers' salaries and other instructional personnel.
| School Name | Most Prevalent Ethnicity | Percent of Total Student Body | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont Academy | White | 78.9% | 823 |
| Columbia City Elementary School | White | 75.3% | 586 |
| Columbia High School | White | 56.6% | 1,727 |
| Columbia Virtual Instruction Program | Black | < 10% | 18 |
| Eastside Elementary School | White | 62.2% | 664 |
| Five Points Elementary School | White | 56.8% | 359 |
| Fort White Elementary School | White | 69% | 646 |
| Fort White High School | White | 71.5% | 1,117 |
| Lake City Middle School | White | 53.2% | 941 |
| Melrose Park Elementary School | Black | 45.1% | 388 |
| Niblack Elementary School | Black | 82.7% | 307 |
| Pathways Academy | White | 46.6% | 58 |
| Pinemount Elementary School | White | 67.9% | 471 |
| PreK Ese | Black | < 10% | 15 |
| Richardson Sixth Grade Academy | White | 54.3% | 420 |
| Summers Elementary School | White | 39.6% | 531 |
| Westside Elementary School | White | 65.8% | 714 |
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