CoMo You Know: Education

Benton Elementary School, named after the artist Thomas Hart Benton, is one of Columbia’s 21 public elementary schools.

The Islamic School of Columbia opened in 1998 and operates under a two-class system with its students, dividing them by grades.

Columbia Independent School moved to a new, combined campus in 2009 after operating since 1998 in multiple buildings.

Christian Chapel Academy opened in 1985 and offers a Christian education to its students. The school offers classes from preschool to eighth grade.

Heritage Academy is a Christian school in Columbia that opened in 2002.

Good Shepherd Lutheran School has been open since 2002 and has grown from eight students in its first year to 89 in the 2011-12 school year.

Founded in 1981, Christian Fellowship School serves students in pre-kindergarten through high school. The school currently boasts enrollment of about 290.

Muriel Battle, who died in 2003, was known as a pioneer in education and equality in Columbia. A new high school will bear her name.

West Junior High School opened in 1961.

One famous alum of Oakland Junior High School is NASCAR driver Carl Edwards.

Rock Bridge High School has more than doubled its enrollment since opening in 1973.

Hickman High School is the largest high school in Missouri.

Douglass High School is an alternative high school for Columbia students.

Fr. Tolton Regional Catholic High School opened in fall 2011. It is the first Catholic high school in Columbia.

The Columbia Area Career Center has provided several learning opportunities for students and adults since 1979.

The Stephens College Children's School has been providing college students with the opportunity to teach and interact with children while also providing a research-based education for the children enrolled in the school since 1925.

Eliot Battle was an educator in Columbia for nearly 40 years and worked to end segregation.

Smithton Middle School opened in 1995 and is one of three such schools in the Columbia district.