At Columbia School District our students have a sense of belonging that flows directly out of our Mission Statement.  Our teachers, community members, administration and board members believe that our students will be stronger adults if we follow our Mission: Nurture Dreams. Empower All. Create a Better World. 

Gabriella Tackett

Our Mission gives our educational community sense of direction to make our students a priority, to help them to be empowered learners, and have a feeling of purpose.  The nurturing environment at Columbia gives our students an advantage over their peers.  The empowerment that students feel when they participate in leadership activities, special programs and extra-curricular events will lead them on a pathway to success.  

As our students leave Columbia Central and move on to their future, they are making a positive impact in the world around them.  Recently Columbia Central Alumnus, Gabriella Tackett was recognized by the Jackson Magazine as a leader in our community in the “under 30” group.  Her work at the Countryside Grand Assisted Living and Atrium Independent Plus has distinguished her in her field.  In the recent article, she was quoted as saying, "We all say it, but do we really mean it? Treat others the way we want to be treated, especially later in life."


Ariel Miller, Columbia Central High School Alumnus, Class of 2015 and former college soccer player at Indiana University East was honored with the Red Wolf Award last year for her tenacity and teamwork.  She was also honored with academic honors for doing so well while playing soccer.   Prior to her playing soccer for Indiana University East, she had an outstanding soccer career at Jackson College, playing for her high school coach Andy Hosmer.  While at Jackson College she spent time working for the Columbia School District transportation and maintenance departments.  The leadership skills she acquired while at Columbia Central High School have given her the ability to excel in all areas of her life.

Lexi with her Championship ring

Lexi Hall, a recent graduate (2018) from Columbia Central High School has continued saving lives by organizing blood drives in the Brooklyn area.  This past summer she held a blood drive, coordinated with the American Red Cross at Columbia Central High School.  Her desire to become a nurse has led her to value the lives of those around her.  Her leadership of American Red Cross Blood Drives began when she was in high school and directed the blood drive for the CCHS Leadership Class.  Lexi's college experience has been augmented by building on her experience as a CCHS varsity cheerleader for four years.  She recently earned a Championship ring as a member of the Concordia University NAIA First Place Cheerleading Team. 

Maria Cook a 2017 graduate from Columbia Central High School planned and ran her Seventh Annual Toy Drive for Mott Children’s Hospital.  Over the past six years she has collected over 3,000 toy for Motts to be given to children who will be spending the holiday season in the hospital.  The program provides toys to the children who are ill, as well as their siblings who are spending many days and nights with their brothers or sisters at Mott Children's Hospital.  Maria is currently a student in Elementary Education at Central Michigan University.  During her summers in the Brooklyn area, she works for the Columbia School District assisting with the educational summer camps.  Last year she created a new program called Princess Camp.  She worked to design the program so that it incorporated STEM activities in to the Princess Camp theme.

In her first year at Western Michigan University, Alissa Fish (Class of 2019) has dominated the fall golf league.  Her experience at Columbia Central High School learning to be a leader and winning the State Championship in golf, has given her the confidence and tenacity to take on older more experienced golfers.  Her competitive spirit was an asset at Columbia Central High School as she not only was an excellent golfer, but played basketball and was a top student academically.

These, and many more Columbia School District students are fulfilling the Columbia Vision: Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow as they experience college, the work place and the community.  Our students are flourishing during their school career and as they leave the empowering, nurturing academic environment of Columbia!