Education

Keep up with Columbia public schools

Below the overview of the district are links to KBIA's coverage of Columbia 93 district schools, updated as more stories are published. Columbia 93 at a glanceThe Columbia 93 school district currently includes 32 different schools. In 2014, the district had a k-12 enrollment of 17,204 students, which is 2% of the total k-12 enrollment for the state. Enrollment has been slightly increasing in recent years, 2% since 2011. While a small percent, that amounts to almost 400 more students. There have also been major re-drawing of attendance areas with the addition of Battle High School. Middle school attendance areas shape high school boundaries 00000178-cc7d-da8b-a77d-ec7d2f9e0000The changes have affected all schools in the district, including causing high school attendance to increase and overcrowding at one middle school at least.

Exam: November 14, 2011

KBIA | By Ryan Famuliner

Published November 14, 2011 at 5:19 PM CST

This week, we check in on a program aiming to combat obesity at an early stage – elementary school. Plus, we chat with the future assistant superintendent for secondary education for Columbia public schools.

Childhood obesity rates are on the rise in the United States. According to the CDC, approximately 17 percent of children ages two to nineteen years old are obese. Researchers in Missouri are targeting one group of children they believe could help lower that percentage: fifth graders. Jump into Action is a program through the University of Missouri’s Extension Office, which encourages physical activity and healthier eating habits, starting with that age group. KBIA’s Ryan Schmidt went to Williamsburg Elementary school to see this program in action.

Dr. Jolene Yoakum will start as Columbia Public Schools’ new assistant superintendent for secondary education in July of next year. A Missouri native, Yoakum holds a doctorate degree in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University. She currently serves as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in Seguin, Texas. KBIA’s Harum Helmy got ahold of Yoakum to talk about what she expects to find in Columbia.