Planning Strategically for the Future!

As a school family, we are proud to be a part of this community. Our outstanding teachers and staff members strive for excellence as we diligently work with your student to increase his or her educational abilities. The Columbia School District, in partnership with the community, provides a safe and positive learning environment, which prepares all students to contribute and compete in a global society.

Our points of pride include strong academics which have produced high test scores, an award winning band program, high school pre-engineering courses which use project based learning to enhance each student’s skills, Advanced Placement courses that challenge our students and provide an opportunity for them to earn college credit, free GSRP preschool for four year olds that provides a firm and enjoyable educational base for our youngest learners, child care and tuition preschool for three and four year olds, and our excellent athletic programs which give our student athletes an opportunity to succeed. Columbia Central High School was awarded the Silver and Bronze Medallion by U.S. News & World Reports, was chosen as a Reward School by the Michigan Department of Education and was honored as top school in Jackson County by Bridge Magazine.

Columbia School District has remodeled all of our classrooms with new flooring, new ceilings, new windows and doors, all buildings have a secure entry vestibule to keep our students safe, new heating and air conditioning systems at all buildings, updated technology infrastructure and hardware, and updated playgrounds.

The Columbia School District has finalized our Strategic Plan, which is the result of over a year of discussion, research, surveying, and planning.  Board members, school improvement team and administration have worked diligently and collaboratively to produce this plan focusing on the future academic success of our students. This strategic planning process started with the vision of the Board of Education to examine the Columbia School District and begin shaping our school district to meet the needs of our students today and into the future.  Vision and leadership was evident by all of the team members who took part in this process since September 2016.

The mission, vision and beliefs of Columbia School District will focus our work following the strategic planning process. The mission provides a brief overview of how we will accomplish our vision, what the district does and our overall purpose.  The mission statement supports the vision and serves to communicate purpose and direction to employees, community members, vendors and other stakeholders.  The new mission for the Columbia School District is: Nurture Dreams. Empower All. Create a Better World.

As the team focused on school improvement through strategic planning, their vision for the future is Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow.  When compared to the mission statement, the vision statement is a narrower, future-oriented declaration of the Columbia’s purpose and aspirations.  

The District Strategic Planning team used the mission and vision as a guideline and springboard to set the statements that describe the beliefs that are the basis for the plan.  The beliefs statements describe what the district has confidence in about both teaching and learning, which can have a major impact on the school environment. Columbia School District Beliefs: (1) Columbia School District provides innovative learning opportunities encouraging students to pursue their dreams! (2) Columbia will offer unique experiences for students to become lifelong learners. (3) Partnerships with Columbia stakeholders will empower students to become problem-solving leaders in our society. (4) Columbia School District will provide a diverse and nurturing environment to engage students and meet the needs of all learners.

As we implement the strategies, assessment of our work may require modifications and alterations to this plan. This is a normal and necessary part of any implementation process. Regular reports shared with the Board of Education and our stakeholders will enlighten the community as to the progress and adjustments that may be necessary.  If you are interested in learning more about the Columbia School District Strategic Plan, please email me at pamela.campbell@myeagles.org or call 5175926641.