For the 2025 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 6,404 students in Columbus, MS (there are 5 private schools, serving 1,117 private students). 85% of all K-12 students in Columbus, MS are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 89%).
The top ranked public schools in Columbus, MS are New Hope High School, New Hope Elementary School and New Hope Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbus, MS public schools have an average math proficiency score of 35% (versus the Mississippi public school average of 47%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 42% statewide average). Schools in Columbus have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Mississippi public schools.
Minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Mississippi public school average of 58% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Columbus, MS (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
New Hope High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2920 New Hope Road
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 244-4701
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 244-4701
Grades: 9-12
| 818 students
Rank: #22.
New Hope Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
199 Enlow Road
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 244-4760
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 244-4760
Grades: PK-5
| 1,199 students
Rank: #33.
New Hope Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3419 New Hope Road
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 244-4740
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 244-4740
Grades: 6-8
| 612 students
Rank: #44.
West Lowndes Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1000 Gilmer Wilburn Road
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 244-5050
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 244-5050
Grades: PK-6
| 253 students
Rank: #55.
Columbus High School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
215 Hemlock Street
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 241-7200
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 241-7200
Grades: 9-12
| 937 students
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Cook Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2217 N Seventh Street
Columbus, MS 39705
(662) 241-7180
Columbus, MS 39705
(662) 241-7180
Grades: PK-5
| 423 students
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Sale Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
520 Warpath Road
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 241-7260
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 241-7260
Grades: PK-5
| 275 students
Rank: #88.
West Lowndes High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
644 South Frontage Road
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 244-5070
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 244-5070
Grades: 7-12
| 216 students
Rank: #99.
Franklin Academy
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
501 N Third Avenue
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 241-7150
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 241-7150
Grades: PK-5
| 268 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Fairview Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
225 Airline Road
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 241-7140
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 241-7140
Grades: PK-5
| 229 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Stokes Beard Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
311 Martin Luther King Dr.
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 241-7270
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 241-7270
Grades: PK-5
| 353 students
Rank: #1212.
Columbus Middle School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
175 Highway 373
Columbus, MS 39705
(662) 241-7300
Columbus, MS 39705
(662) 241-7300
Grades: 6-8
| 580 students
Rank: n/an/a
Cmsd Alternative School
Alternative School
1425 10th Ave North
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 241-7250
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 241-7250
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Lowndes Co Voc Complex
Vocational School
1085 Lehmberg Road
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 244-5038
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 244-5038
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Lowndes County Alternative School
Alternative School
3419 New Hope Road
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 244-5060
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 244-5060
Grades: PK-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Mckellar Vocational Center
Vocational School
810 N Browder Street
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 241-7290
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 241-7290
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Middle School For Math And Science
Magnet School
5th Ave South And Mscw Dr
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 329-7672
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 329-7672
Grades: 11-12
| 241 students
Columbus, Mississippi Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
429 S 11th Street
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 329-7358
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 329-7358
Grades: K-4
| 98 students
924 North 20th St
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 241-7160
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 241-7160
Grades: 6
| 319 students
1815 Military Rd
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 241-7300
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 241-7300
Grades: 7-8
| 632 students
1315 S 15th Street
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 241-7320
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 241-7320
Grades: K-4
| 107 students
1425 N Tenth Avenue
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 241-7280
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 241-7280
Grades: K-4
| 93 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Columbus, MS?
The top ranked public schools in Columbus, MS include New Hope High School, New Hope Elementary School and New Hope Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Columbus?
17 public schools are located in Columbus.
What percentage of students in Columbus go to public school?
85% of all K-12 students in Columbus are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Columbus?
Columbus public schools minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Mississippi public schools average of 58% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Columbus are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Columbus include: Columbus High School vs. New Hope High School, Cook Elementary School vs. Fairview Elementary School, New Hope High School vs. Columbus High School
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