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Columbus City Hall, Dickason Boulevard and James Street, Columbus, WI - 52808020136Photo: w_lemay · CC BY-SA 2.0
B−
Schools in Columbus · Columbus School District

Columbus’s public schools score below 51% of Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin, not nationally.

#225of 362 Wisconsin townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Wisconsin state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% 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
35%
▼ 3 pts vs WI 38%
2021–22
Math proficiency
35%
▼ 4 pts vs WI 39%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 4–10 pts vs WI 90%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.3K
▼ 7% vs WI $16.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.6
WI 13.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
6
1,049 students on the public path
In brief

Columbus’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 1299 Wisconsin towns with household incomes within a quarter of Columbus’s, its schools beat 57%, higher than their 49% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 35% of tested students were proficient in reading and 35% in math, against 38% and 39% statewide; 97% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin (the state reports Columbus’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $15,320 per student, against $16,459 across Wisconsin (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Columbus Middle, then Columbus High. Enrollment is up 9% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Discovery Charter School, St. Jerome School (private) and Zion Evangelical Lutheran School (private) are in town. Every school ↓

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

B−: better than 49% of Wisconsin school districts, #225 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Graduation is above the Wisconsin average; test scores are below it.

Wisconsin school districts we grade (441)Better than 49%
Lower resultsHigher results
Wisconsin towns with similar household incomes (1299)Better than 57%
C+BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 577 test results and a graduating class of 107 could put Columbus anywhere from C+ to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 97% of Columbus’s students in the tested grades sat them (577 in math, 577 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 ElementaryColumbus School DistrictNo scores
6–8Columbus MiddleColumbus School DistrictC+
9–12Columbus HighColumbus School DistrictC

Columbus’s public schools are run by Columbus School District, which also serves Calamus, Columbus, Elba and Hampden 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.

Columbus School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 1,120 students, up 9% since 2020–21 · 12.6 per teacher (WI 13.6)
$15,320WI $16,459 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading35%
State average 38.1% · 577 students tested
Math35%
State average 38.7% · 577 students tested

Columbus vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ColumbusB−Columbus
Columbus (town)—Columbus
ElbaB−Columbus

All 2 neighbors share Columbus with Columbus, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Columbus

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

District schools in Columbusby address
Columbus Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
425 students12:1Rate it →
Columbus Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
C+
241 students13:1Rate it →
Columbus High
High · Grades 9–12
C
383 students13:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Discovery Charter School
Elementary · Grades K–3
C+
Charter
71 students12:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. Jerome School
Elementary · Grades K–8
Private · Catholic
104 students8:1Rate it →
Zion Evangelical Lutheran School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Religious
83 students14:1Rate it →

Questions about Columbus’s schools

Are Columbus’s schools good?

On Wisconsin’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Columbus children attend score below 51% of Wisconsin’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #225 of 362 Wisconsin towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 57%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Columbus in?

Columbus School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,120 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do Columbus kids go to high school?

Columbus High, with 383 students; its own test results earn a C.

What is Columbus’s graduation rate?

95–100% of the class of 2023 in Columbus School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Wisconsin.

How much does Columbus spend per student?

$15,320 in Columbus School District (FY2024), against $16,459 across Wisconsin. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Columbus?

Yes: St. Jerome School (Catholic, grades K–8, 104 students) and Zion Evangelical Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 83 students). Columbus also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.

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 Wisconsin. Stars are from neighbors.