Attendance Area Changes
The Columbia Public Schools understands that attendance areas will change when new buildings open, and may need to be adjusted when school buildings have grown beyond their capacity.
In the fall of 2023, the school district began the process to make adjustments to the district’s attendance areas to incorporate a new elementary school in south Columbia. The work also includes adjustments to address areas of growth in the district.
Guiding Principles
- Attendance areas do change and will continue to change. This work is part of a regular review of district enrollment patterns.
- The attendance area should anticipate future growth of neighborhoods. A walkable and bikeable school is important, but may not always be possible.
- The attendance area seeks to reflect the composition of the Columbia Public Schools community.
- The board recognizes the power of a school to create a community. Accessibility for families is important (volunteering and attending school functions are easier when the school is near).
- Consider the time students spend on a bus and the distance traveled to and from school.
- Consider attendance areas boundary lines that follow natural/man-made boundaries.
- Consider a transfer policy that allows 5th graders to remain at their previous school and policies that allow siblings to remain.
Board of Education Presentations
- Download the new Demographics and GIS Mapping | December 11, 2023
- View the Long-Range Facilities Committee – Process Timeline | March 6, 2024
- View the Board of Education Attendance Area Update | March 6, 2024
- Watch the Diversity Index Informational Video
- Download the Board of Education Attendance Area Phase I Recommendation Presentation | April 17, 2024
- Download the Board of Education Attendance Area Phase II and Phase III Presentation | May 13, 2024
- Download the Long-Range Facilities Committee Attendance Area Update Materials | June 5, 2024
- Download the Board of Education Attendance Area Phase II and Phase III Presentation | June 10, 2024
Resources
Phase I Changes
The Board of Education voted on April 17, 2024, to adopt Option 1 changes for Phase I. The changes will be implemented in the 2025-26 school year.
Surveys were conducted to gather feedback on 3 options related to Phase I changes.
Comments may be provided to the Board of Education by completing a comment form (linked). You will not receive a response to the message. However, please know the Board has received your submission.
Phase II and III Changes
Final Options (June 5, 2024)
- Option A-1 Elementary Attendance Areas
- Option A-2 Elementary Attendance Areas
- Option A Middle School Attendance Areas (MS are the same in both A options)
- Option A High School Attendance Areas (HS are the same in both A options, no change from current)
- Option B Elementary Attendance Areas (ES are the same in both B options)
- Option B-1 Middle School Attendance Areas
- Option B-1 High School Attendance Areas
- Option B-2 Middle School Attendance Areas
- Option B-2 High School Attendance Areas
Surveys were conducted to gather feedback on options related to final options for Phase II & III changes.
Survey summary results
Comments may be provided to the Board of Education by completing a comment form (linked). You will not receive a response to the message. However, please know the Board has received your submission.
Initial Options (May 13, 2024)
- Presentation
- Narrated Presentation
- Options Packet (Maps)
- Attendance Area Locator
- Large Maps (PDF)
Surveys were conducted to gather feedback on options related to Phase II & III changes.
Survey summary results
Comments may be provided to the Board of Education by completing a comment form (linked). You will not receive a response to the message. However, please know the Board has received your submission.