Photo: Carol M. Highsmith · Public domainColumbus’s public schools score below 52% of Indiana districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Columbus, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Indiana, not nationally.
From Indiana state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Columbus’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 1073 Indiana towns with household incomes within a quarter of Columbus’s, its schools beat 31%, lower than their 48% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 44% and math 40% in spring 2022, against 41% and 38% statewide; 83% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,354 per student, against $13,688 across Indiana (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
11 elementary schools, then two middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Columbus’s grade
B−: better than 48% of Indiana school districts, #395 of 592 Indiana towns. Test scores are above the Indiana average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Columbus, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Columbus · depends on your address
Northside Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 908 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Central Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 790 students · 15:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Columbus · depends on your address
Northside Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 908 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Central Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 790 students · 15:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Columbus · depends on your address
Columbus North High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,360 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Columbus East High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,452 students · 15:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Columbus · depends on your address
Columbus North High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,360 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Columbus East High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,452 students · 15:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Columbus · depends on your address
Columbus North High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,360 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Columbus East High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,452 students · 15:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Columbus · depends on your address
Columbus North High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,360 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Columbus East High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,452 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Columbus’s public schools are run by Bartholomew County School Corporation. Parts of Columbus (6% of its land) are served by Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corporation instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Columbus vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Indiana towns that share Columbus’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus | B− | Bartholomew County School Corporation |
| Columbus Township | — | Bartholomew County School Corporation |
| Harrison | B− | Bartholomew County School Corporation |
| German | B− | Bartholomew County School Corporation |
| Clay | B− | Bartholomew County School Corporation |
All 4 neighbors share Bartholomew County School Corporation with Columbus, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Columbus
15 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Indiana’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Columbus’s schools
Are Columbus’s schools good?
On Indiana’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Columbus children attend score below 52% of Indiana’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #395 of 592 Indiana towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 31%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Columbus in?
Bartholomew County School Corporation, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 11,657 students in 16 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Columbus are served by Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corporation.
Where do Columbus kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Columbus North High School and Columbus East High School.
What is Columbus’s graduation rate?
83% of the class of 2023 in Bartholomew County School Corporation graduated in four years, against 88% across Indiana.
How much does Columbus spend per student?
$13,354 in Bartholomew County School Corporation (FY2024), against $13,688 across Indiana. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Columbus families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Columbus → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Indiana. Stars are from neighbors.