Columbia Elementary School District

Thank you for your interest in Columbia Elementary School District; Kids First!  Our mission is to ensure that every student learns; NO LIMITS and NO EXCUSES.  I have been fortunate enough to have spent my entire educational career in this District.  I was hired in 1996 and taught 6^th and 7^th grades for 9 years before getting involved in administration; my first stint was as Teacher in Charge at the middle school.  I became assistant Principal at Mountain View in 2006 and became the principal of the elementary school in 2007.  I was hired as the superintendent/principal beginning the 2011 academic year and became superintendent in 2015.

There have been many changes over my 25 years with Columbia Elementary School District.  We grew from a single school site on a multi-track year round schedule to two separate schools, a pre-school and Community Day school.  Additionally, we sponsor 3 independent charter schools.  Our special education program is well known in the county and has grown considerably.  We now have 4 special day classes and Resource Program.  Many of the smaller school districts no longer have special education classes and ours serves some of the districts on the east side when we have capacity.  Our Business Department now provides business service and payroll to our own staff but for 3 other districts as well.  Columbia ESD provides psychologist, nurse and adaptive physical education for many smaller districts who could not do so on their own.  Both of our school sites are as close to 100% solar as one could get. 

Through the generous support of the community, we have passed General Obligation Bonds allowing us to build and open Mountain View Middle School in 2001, to complete a 16 classroom replacement with parking, technology and security upgrades at Columbia Elementary in 2017, and build a gymnasium at Columbia Elementary completed in 2022.  We were the first district in Shasta County to use active Smart Boards in 100% of our classes.  Each school site has active parent clubs that are very supportive of our students, staff and programs.

We employ school counselors at each site and we are one of the last remaining smaller districts that maintains a music program.  Both schools are two time recipients of the California Distinguished Schools award. 

Despite being one of the larger districts in eastern Shasta County, you still experience that smaller atmosphere where we strive to build and maintain a relationship with you whether you are a parent, student, vendor or staff member. 

We prioritize: 1) Positive Relationships and Communication, 2) Student Achievement, 3) Staff Development, 4) Facilities, Finance, Transportation and Safety.  Please contact either one of our principals or me directly if you are interested in more information.  We would love to have the opportunity to welcome you to the Columbia Family! 

Clay Ross, Superintendent