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Columbia Ultimate Frisbee Wins State Championship
Columbia High School’s varsity ultimate frisbee teams have each won their respective New Jersey State Championships. The Open team earned its 17th title, while Sparkle Motion secured its 7th, marking four consecutive wins since 2022. Read more ⇢
Columbia Ultimate Frisbee Wins State Championship
Sparkle Motion, Columbia High School’s girls and non-binary ultimate frisbee team, just clinched its 7th New Jersey State Championship—its fourth straight since 2022. Founded in 2005 and named after a cult-classic film, the team has built a legacy of excellence, with alumni earning national titles, Player of the Year honors, and spots on Team USA. Read more ⇢
Home of the Cougars
Columbia High School fosters inclusive learning environments where students are inspired to discover their talents, think critically, and embrace the responsibilities of global citizenship. The renowned New Jersey high school has grown from humble roots to a nationally recognized institution of academic excellence. Known for its diversity, innovation, and vast history as the state's first high school, Columbia has been a cornerstone of the South Orange Village and Maplewood Township communities for over two centuries.
Columbia High School is where Ultimate Frisbee got its start—a game created by students that’s now played in more than 80 countries. What began in a school parking lot has grown into a global sport built on simple but powerful values: teamwork, fairness, and respect.
Letter from the Superintendent
Columbia High School collaborates closely with both the Maplewood and South Orange Police Departments to maintain a secure and supportive environment for all students and staff. These partnerships allow us to respond with care and to make informed decisions about how we protect and support our school community. Read more ⇢
Welcome
Thank you for visiting the South Orange & Maplewood School District's new website. The district is still actively upgrading its family engagement and messaging suite. As we migrate away from somsd.k12.nj.us, please continue to submit optimization suggestions to communications director Eshaya Draper at somsdk12.org/feedback ⇢
Columbia High School Announcements
![Congratulations to the CHS Girls Varsity Softball Team - Headed to the State Championship!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1749170365/somsdk12njus/yraekdr4j8ghgjo3pxtm/25-06-05somsd-chssoftballchampionships.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1749170365/somsdk12njus/yraekdr4j8ghgjo3pxtm/25-06-05somsd-chssoftballchampionships.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1749170365/somsdk12njus/yraekdr4j8ghgjo3pxtm/25-06-05somsd-chssoftballchampionships.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1749170365/somsdk12njus/yraekdr4j8ghgjo3pxtm/25-06-05somsd-chssoftballchampionships.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1749170365/somsdk12njus/yraekdr4j8ghgjo3pxtm/25-06-05somsd-chssoftballchampionships.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1749170365/somsdk12njus/yraekdr4j8ghgjo3pxtm/25-06-05somsd-chssoftballchampionships.png","width":2200}])
Eshaya Draper
This incredible achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and teamwork shown by our student-athletes and coaching staff throughout the season. We are proud of their commitment and the positive example they set for our entire school community.
![Thumbnail]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1748963215/somsdk12njus/passnucymrbhe2iz5ivt/25-06-03somsd-chssafetyfocus.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1748963215/somsdk12njus/passnucymrbhe2iz5ivt/25-06-03somsd-chssafetyfocus.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1748963215/somsdk12njus/passnucymrbhe2iz5ivt/25-06-03somsd-chssafetyfocus.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1748963215/somsdk12njus/passnucymrbhe2iz5ivt/25-06-03somsd-chssafetyfocus.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1748963215/somsdk12njus/passnucymrbhe2iz5ivt/25-06-03somsd-chssafetyfocus.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1748963215/somsdk12njus/passnucymrbhe2iz5ivt/25-06-03somsd-chssafetyfocus.png","width":2200}])
Eshaya Draper
An incident took place in the student parking lot involving a Columbia High School student who was a victim of robbery and individuals who are not affiliated with the school or the South Orange & Maplewood School District on June 2nd.
![CHS Students Preview 2025 All-School Musical at Achieve Foundation's "A Night to Achieve" Fundraiser]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1741471066/somsdk12njus/y6kcu6kyuoi2yx5siprp/25-03-07somsd-photoCHS-AchieveNight01.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1741471066/somsdk12njus/y6kcu6kyuoi2yx5siprp/25-03-07somsd-photoCHS-AchieveNight01.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1741471066/somsdk12njus/y6kcu6kyuoi2yx5siprp/25-03-07somsd-photoCHS-AchieveNight01.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1741471066/somsdk12njus/y6kcu6kyuoi2yx5siprp/25-03-07somsd-photoCHS-AchieveNight01.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1741471066/somsdk12njus/y6kcu6kyuoi2yx5siprp/25-03-07somsd-photoCHS-AchieveNight01.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1741471066/somsdk12njus/y6kcu6kyuoi2yx5siprp/25-03-07somsd-photoCHS-AchieveNight01.png","width":2000}])
CHS Students Preview 2025 All-School Musical at Achieve Foundation's "A Night to Achieve" Fundraiser
Eshaya Draper
With special thanks to the Achieve Foundation, Columbia High School performers took the spotlight and offered a captivating preview of their upcoming production of "The Prom." The talented students performed two numbers from the show, building anticipation for opening night on Thursday, March 13th, at 7:30 pm. With seven performances scheduled, community members are encouraged to secure tickets quickly at columbia.somsdk12.org/musicals/tickets
![This Week / Next Week at CHS]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1740354752/somsdk12njus/lvzfisofgic6o8gpgyhd/somsd-chs-newsplaceholder.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1740354752/somsdk12njus/lvzfisofgic6o8gpgyhd/somsd-chs-newsplaceholder.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1740354752/somsdk12njus/lvzfisofgic6o8gpgyhd/somsd-chs-newsplaceholder.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1740354752/somsdk12njus/lvzfisofgic6o8gpgyhd/somsd-chs-newsplaceholder.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1740354752/somsdk12njus/lvzfisofgic6o8gpgyhd/somsd-chs-newsplaceholder.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1740354752/somsdk12njus/lvzfisofgic6o8gpgyhd/somsd-chs-newsplaceholder.png","width":2025}])
Principal Frank Sanchez
We have a couple of busy weeks at Columbia High School, so I wanted to just review our course selection process, which is wrapping up, and our testing schedule for next week.
Principal Frank Sanchez
Dear CHS Families: The email below was sent to all students informing them of a neat, new opportunity if they are interested in local history. I worked with a community resident (and former colleague from another district), Mr. Ron Nash, and our invitation to join the Smithsonian's Dialogue in Democracy project and Columbia High School was invited to participate. If your child if interested in local history, this new "club" might be something they may want to check out! Thanks, Frank
![Columbia High School Hall of Famers SZA and Eric Hudson Keep Making History ⇢]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1739152407/somsdk12njus/hnrs7bypye6cgbsnik23/25-02-08somsd-thumbnailColumbia-SZAandEricHudson-GRAMMYs-EshayaDraper.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1739152407/somsdk12njus/hnrs7bypye6cgbsnik23/25-02-08somsd-thumbnailColumbia-SZAandEricHudson-GRAMMYs-EshayaDraper.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1739152407/somsdk12njus/hnrs7bypye6cgbsnik23/25-02-08somsd-thumbnailColumbia-SZAandEricHudson-GRAMMYs-EshayaDraper.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1739152407/somsdk12njus/hnrs7bypye6cgbsnik23/25-02-08somsd-thumbnailColumbia-SZAandEricHudson-GRAMMYs-EshayaDraper.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1739152407/somsdk12njus/hnrs7bypye6cgbsnik23/25-02-08somsd-thumbnailColumbia-SZAandEricHudson-GRAMMYs-EshayaDraper.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1739152407/somsdk12njus/hnrs7bypye6cgbsnik23/25-02-08somsd-thumbnailColumbia-SZAandEricHudson-GRAMMYs-EshayaDraper.png","width":2160}])
Eshaya Draper
At the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards, two Columbia High School alumni from New Jersey stood at the pinnacle of the music industry, adding to their growing collection of GRAMMY awards.
all day
Columbia in the News
![Columbia HS girls lacrosse team surges]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/rjnrys32tezzshfkfrro/newsmention-essexnewsdaily.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/rjnrys32tezzshfkfrro/newsmention-essexnewsdaily.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/rjnrys32tezzshfkfrro/newsmention-essexnewsdaily.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/rjnrys32tezzshfkfrro/newsmention-essexnewsdaily.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/rjnrys32tezzshfkfrro/newsmention-essexnewsdaily.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/rjnrys32tezzshfkfrro/newsmention-essexnewsdaily.png","width":1620}])
Essex News Daily
The Columbia High School girls lacrosse team defeated Morristown Beard and Cranford, both at Underhill Field Complex’s Lynn V. Profeta Field in Maplewood, to improve to a 2-2 record on the season.
![Columbia HS softball team rolls to unbeaten start]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1745116431/somsdk12njus/kgo1ezflkmrlrrclwrgs/ColumbiaHSsoftball.webp","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1745116431/somsdk12njus/kgo1ezflkmrlrrclwrgs/ColumbiaHSsoftball.webp","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1745116431/somsdk12njus/kgo1ezflkmrlrrclwrgs/ColumbiaHSsoftball.webp","width":745}])
Essex News Daily
The Columbia High School softball team continued its unbeaten start to the season.
Essex News Daily
The Columbia High School baseball team defeated Carteret, 16-3, on Thursday, April 10, to improve to a 4-1 record on the season.
![CHS 2020 Grad Nathaniel Jolimere, 23, Generous, Kind and Joyful Despite His Pain]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1745116650/somsdk12njus/iqic6eaiuz12nr8hgruj/Nathaniel-1.webp","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1745116650/somsdk12njus/iqic6eaiuz12nr8hgruj/Nathaniel-1.webp","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1745116650/somsdk12njus/iqic6eaiuz12nr8hgruj/Nathaniel-1.webp","width":747}])
The Village Green
CHS grad Nathaniel Jolimere majored in Finance at William Paterson University and had started his career at JP Morgan Chase before complications from sickle cell disease took his earthly life.
![Baseball: Columbia Tops Montclair, 11-7]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/xcyzavjvybgmaycwlht5/newsmention-tapinto.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/xcyzavjvybgmaycwlht5/newsmention-tapinto.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/xcyzavjvybgmaycwlht5/newsmention-tapinto.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/xcyzavjvybgmaycwlht5/newsmention-tapinto.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/xcyzavjvybgmaycwlht5/newsmention-tapinto.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1740679450/somsdk12njus/xcyzavjvybgmaycwlht5/newsmention-tapinto.png","width":1620}])
TAPinto SOMA
Columbia scored five runs in the fourth inning and went on to an 11-7 baseball victory over Montclair on Monday.
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