Receiving a quality education is important to everyone in Marion County. Our education system realizes that a quality education is the beginning to a bright future. There are 11 schools dispersed in the county, with many of them located in Columbia.

The Columbia School System has over 1,000 students enrolled in its five schools. There are two primary schools for grades K-3. The two buildings divide up the primary education system with one school serving grades K-1 and the other serving grades 2-3. The Columbia Primary School was recently given a Level 5 accreditation (superior performing).

The elementary school in Columbia now serves grades 4-5 and has an enrollment of over 300 students. These students have access to a computer lab, playgrounds and numerous extracurricular activities. Columbia High School has an enrollment of close to 600 students. Dedicated to preparing students for college and other future endeavors, the school provides courses in computer science, math, English, tech-prep programs and many advanced courses. Along with the variety of courses offered, students can participate in band, the art club, student government, sports and other activities.

The Marion County School System is divided into East and West Marion. The East Marion School System, with an enrollment of over 1,000 students, includes a high school, junior high and elementary school. The West Marion School System, with an enrollment of over 1,500 students, includes a high school and elementary school. Each student has the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities - such as band, sports, student council and more. West Marion High School was recently given a Level 5 accreditation (superior performing).

Columbia Academy is a private education facility. The class sizes are small, with a teacher to student ratio of 1:16. Columbia Academy is a highly accredited facility, and was awarded the AA rating, which is the highest rating awarded by the Mississippi Private School Association. Students have numerous activities to get involved in, and are encouraged to proceed onto college upon graduation.

The Carl Loftin Career Center and Technology Center, one of the top vo-tech centers in the state, offers a wide range of vocational technical classes to students at the three area public high schools. Courses in the following areas are offered: Electrical Trades, Automobile Mechanics, Building Trades, Business Trades, Business and Computer Technology, Farm Equipment Mechanics, Forestry, Food Production Management, Industrial Serving, Allied Health, Occupational Clothing, Marketing Management Technology, and Plastics/Polymer Technology. This Plastic/Polymer program is only the third of its kind in Mississippi and sixth in the United States.

At the higher education level, the University of Southern Mississippi, William Carey College and Antonelli College are located 30 miles away in Hattiesburg. Pearl River Community College has two campuses near Columbia, including its Hattiesburg campus.

Columbia-Marion County is also fortunate to have a very modern public library. This library serves as the headquarters for the South Mississippi Library. Built in 1975, the Columbia-Marion County Library boasts numerous reading/study areas, a conference room, a public auditorium with an attached kitchen, exhibit/display areas, computers with Internet access, numerous volumes of books/tapes and much more.

As you can see, Columbia-Marion County values the importance of a quality education, and is prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Public:
Columbia High School (Grades 9-12)
1009 Broad Street 601-736-5334

Jefferson Middle School (Grades 6-8)
611 Owens Street 601-736-2786

Columbia Elementary School (Grades4-5)
401 Mary Street 601-736-2362

Columbia Primary School (Grades 2-3)
913 West Avenue 601-736-2366

Columbia Primary School (Grades K-1)
501 Dale Street 601-736-2216

East Marion High School
East Marion School Road 601-736-3006

East Marion Elementary School
601-736-7290

West Marion High School
Foxworth, MS 601-736-6381

West Marion Elementary School
601-731-2076

West Marion Primary School
20 Cedar Street Foxwoth, MS 601-736-3713

Carl Loftin Career & Technology Center Hwy.
13 South 601-736-6095

Private:
Columbia Academy
1548 Hwy. 98 East 601-736-6418

Business Education:
Antonelli College Hattiesburg, MS 601-583-4100

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