Photo: Kaethesson · CC BY-SA 3.0Columbus’s public schools outscore 54% of Kansas districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Columbus, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Math proficiency in Columbus’s districts is 25%, below the Kansas average (29%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Kansas, not nationally.
From Kansas 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
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 28% of tested students were proficient in reading and 25% in math, against 32% and 29% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Kansas (the state reports Columbus’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,442 per student, against $14,966 across Kansas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one middle school
From grade 2 the district’s path is Central Elem, then Columbus Junior High and High School. Enrollment is up 27% since 2020–21. 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 54% of Kansas school districts, #76 of 151 Kansas towns. Graduation is above the Kansas average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Columbus, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Columbus
Park Elem
Grades PK–1 · 208 students · 16:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Columbus
Park Elem
Grades PK–1 · 208 students · 16:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Columbus
Central Elem
Grades 2–6 · 348 students · 13:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Columbus
Central Elem
Grades 2–6 · 348 students · 13:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Columbus
Central Elem
Grades 2–6 · 348 students · 13:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Columbus
Central Elem
Grades 2–6 · 348 students · 13:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Columbus
Central Elem
Grades 2–6 · 348 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Columbus
Columbus Junior High and High School
Grades 7–12 · 438 students · 11:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Columbus
Columbus Junior High and High School
Grades 7–12 · 438 students · 11:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Columbus
Columbus Junior High and High School
Grades 7–12 · 438 students · 11:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Columbus
Columbus Junior High and High School
Grades 7–12 · 438 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Columbus’s public schools are run by Columbus Unified School District 493, which also serves Cherokee, Crawford, Lola and Lyon and others. 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.
Below the state in reading
Columbus vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Kansas towns that share Columbus’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus | B− | Columbus Unified School District 493 |
| Salamanca | — | Columbus Unified School District 493 |
| Crawford | — | Columbus Unified School District 493 |
All 2 neighbors share Columbus Unified School District 493 with Columbus, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Columbus
3 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Kansas’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Columbus’s schools
Are Columbus’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Kansas: the public schools Columbus children attend outscore 54% of Kansas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #76 of 151 Kansas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 58%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Columbus in?
Columbus Unified School District 493, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 994 students in 3 schools (2024–25).
What is Columbus’s graduation rate?
95–100% of the class of 2023 in Columbus Unified School District 493 graduated in four years, against 88% across Kansas.
How much does Columbus spend per student?
$14,442 in Columbus Unified School District 493 (FY2024), against $14,966 across Kansas. 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 Kansas. Stars are from neighbors.