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C−

Columbus Public Schools

Public school districtGrades PK–12Regional · 4 towns

Serves Columbus, Columbus Township, Butler Township and Duncan, and parts of Alexis Township.

Columbus’ School Grade C− better than 21% of Nebraska school districts

Students
4,171
Schools
9
Spent per student
$13,742
NE $15,602
Students per teacher
16:1
Free or reduced lunch
57%
Debt
$42M
fiscal 2024
The gist

What stands out about Columbus Public Schools

  • Its letter, C−: results better than 21% of Nebraska districts
  • Math proficiency 8 pts below the state
  • Reading proficiency 7 pts below the state
  • Spends 12% less per student than the NE average
  • 16 students per teacher
  • Debt of $42M, about $10,060 per student
The School Grade

What this district adds to its towns’ grade

C−: better than 21% of the 244 Nebraska school districts we grade. Each town’s School Grade weighs its districts by the students they test; spending and class size are shown but don’t count.

Test scoresReading and math well below the state, 2021–22
C−
GraduationFour-year graduation close to the state, class of 2023
C
The towns it serves, and their School Grades
C−Columbus 25,248CColumbus Township 3,360Butler Township 617Duncan 388

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where would my kid go?

The school path for Columbus. Grade by grade →

PK–45 elementary schoolsThis district
5–8Columbus Middle SchoolThis district
9–12Columbus High SchoolThis district

Test scores vs. NE

2021–22 · class of 2023
Math proficiency38%
State average 46% · 2,038 students tested
Reading / language arts40%
State average 47.1% · 2,040 students tested
Graduation rate (4-year)87%
State average 87.3% · 293 in the class

100% of students in the tested grades sat the 2022 tests.

Reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express and the Urban Institute); the newest year for each measure.

Where the money goes

fiscal 2024
$13,742 per student · 12% below NE
Spending
Classroom instruction 60%Support & administration 35%Other 5%
Paid for by
Local (mostly property tax) 52%State 35%Federal 13%

Fiscal 2022–24 includes federal pandemic relief (ESSER).

U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances.

Enrollment over time
4,159’20
4,094’21
4,111’22
4,145’23
4,171’24

About steady since 2020–21.

Students
Hispanic 54%White 42%Black 2%Two or more races 1%Asian <1%American Indian/Alaska Native <1%Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander <1%

Schools in the district

9 public schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Nebraska’s other public schools.

Centennial Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–4 · Columbus
B−
353 students14:1
Lost Creek Elementary SCH
Elementary · Grades PK–4 · Columbus
C
318 students13:1
North Park Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–4 · Columbus
C+
304 students16:1
Emerson Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–4 · Columbus
C
286 students20:1
West Park Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–4 · Columbus
C−
215 students15:1
Kramer Education Center
Prekindergarten · Grades PK · Columbus
170 students24:1
Pathways Beyond/Early Steps to Success Building
Prekindergarten · Grades PK · Columbus
22 students
Columbus Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8 · Columbus
C
1,166 students16:1
Columbus High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Columbus
C
1,337 students17:1

Nearby districts

Compare spending and schools next door.

Twin River Public SchoolsOconee Township, Silver Creek Township
$21,836per student
David City Public SchoolsSavannah Township, Summit Township
$18,703per student
Lakeview Community SchoolsOconee Township
$14,476per student
Shelby-Rising City Public SchoolsSummit Township
$17,978per student

District facts: U.S. Department of Education (NCES school directory 2024–25 and district boundaries) and the U.S. Census Bureau’s school finance survey. Test scores and graduation: state results reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express and the Urban Institute). The letters are our own summary, graded within Nebraska.