The 2022-23 school year includes the 150th anniversary of the founding of Columbia Public Schools. While our community and district have grown and changed considerably since 1873, our commitment to children, families and our community remains the same.

CPS Sesquicentennial Celebrations

As we begin official CPS sesquicentennial celebrations in January 2023, we will reflect on where we began, celebrate how far we’ve come, and look to our future in this special CPSTV segment.

Be sure to check out the next segment on February 10!

Comments (-1)

History of the Columbia Public School District

1873: Formation of first community school in Columbia In 1873 the Columbia community elected the first six-member board.
1881: School building constructed at corner of 8th and Rogers This is now the site of Jefferson Middle School.
1896: First African American school, Frederick Douglass, opened The building was located on the southeast corner of Ash and Third streets, on land bought by a black Baptist church.
1892: The first graduating class from Columbia Public Schools
1894: CHS held the first unofficial football practices and games