Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Columbus

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
View of Columbus, New Mexico atop a hill at Pancho Villa State ParkPhoto: NewMexConnorMcDavidFan · CC BY-SA 4.0
C+
Schools in Columbus · Deming Public Schools

Columbus’s public schools score below 63% of New Mexico districts on tests and graduation

In Columbus, 23% of tested students read at a proficient level, below the New Mexico average (34%). 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 New Mexico, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From New Mexico state tests taken in spring 2022, when 92% 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.

Reading proficiency
23%
▼ 11 pts vs NM 34%
2021–22
Math proficiency
17%
▼ 8 pts vs NM 24%
2021–22
Graduate on time
81%
▲ 4 pts vs NM 76%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$16.6K
▼ 6% vs NM $17.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.0
NM 12.9 · larger classes
Schools in town
1
2,649 students on the public path
In brief

Columbus’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 32 New Mexico towns with household incomes within a quarter of Columbus’s, its schools beat 50%, higher than their 37% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 23% of tested students were proficient in reading and 17% in math, against 34% and 24% statewide; 92% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

81% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 76% across New Mexico. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $16,596 per student, against $17,681 across New Mexico (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and three high schools

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Columbus’s grade

C− Test scoresB− Graduation

C+: better than 37% of New Mexico school districts. Graduation is above the New Mexico average; test scores are below it.

New Mexico school districts we grade (139)Better than 37%
Lower resultsHigher results
New Mexico towns with similar household incomes (32)Better than 50%
CC+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,644 test results and a graduating class of 404 could put Columbus anywhere from C to C+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 92% of Columbus’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,641 in math, 2,647 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Columbus, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–5Columbus ElementaryDeming Public SchoolsNo scores
7–8Red Mountain Middlein DemingNo scores
9–123 high schoolsDepends on your addressB

Columbus’s public schools are run by Deming Public Schools, which also serves Deming. 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.

Deming Public SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 13 schools · 5,116 students · 14.0 per teacher (NM 12.9)
$16,596NM $17,681 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading23%
State average 33.8% · 2647 students tested
Math17%
State average 24.5% · 2641 students tested

Columbus vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the New Mexico towns that share Columbus’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ColumbusC+Deming

Every school in Columbus

5 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with New Mexico’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Columbusby address
Columbus Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
483 students15:1Rate it →
Also serving Columbusin other towns
Red Mountain Middle
Middle · Grades 7–8 · Deming
746 students15:1Rate it →
Deming High
High · Grades 9–12 · Deming
1,174 students15:1Rate it →
Early College High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Deming
B
180 students15:1Rate it →
Mimbres Valley High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Deming
66 students13:1Rate it →

Questions about Columbus’s schools

Are Columbus’s schools good?

On New Mexico’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Columbus children attend score below 63% of New Mexico’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 50%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Columbus in?

Deming Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 5,116 students in 13 schools (2024–25).

Where do Columbus kids go to high school?

One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Deming High, Early College High School and Mimbres Valley High School.

What is Columbus’s graduation rate?

81% of the class of 2023 in Deming Public Schools graduated in four years, against 76% across New Mexico.

How much does Columbus spend per student?

$16,596 in Deming Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,681 across New Mexico. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Columbus families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

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 New Mexico. Stars are from neighbors.