For the 2025 school year, there are 17 public preschools serving 7,041 students in Columbia, MO.
The top ranked public preschools in Columbia, MO are Mill Creek Elementary School, Midway Heights Elementary School and Fairview Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbia, MO public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the Missouri public pre school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 37% statewide average). Pre schools in Columbia have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Missouri public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 50% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Missouri public preschool average of 36% (majority Black).
Best Public Preschools in Columbia, MO (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Mill Creek Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2200 Nifong Blvd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3280
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3280
Grades: PK-5
| 585 students
Rank: #22.
Midway Heights Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
8130 W Hwy 40
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3540
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3540
Grades: PK-5
| 241 students
Rank: #33.
Fairview Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
909 Fairview Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3590
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3590
Grades: PK-5
| 464 students
Rank: #44.
Mary Paxton Keeley Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
201 Park Deville
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3570
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3570
Grades: PK-5
| 638 students
Rank: #55.
Ulysses S. Grant Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
10 E Broadway
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3520
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3520
Grades: PK-5
| 338 students
Rank: #66.
Locust St Expressive Arts Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1208 Locust
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 214-3530
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 214-3530
Grades: PK-5
| 287 students
Rank: #77.
Russell Blvd. Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1800 W Rollins Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3650
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3650
Grades: PK-5
| 469 students
Rank: #88.
Rock Bridge Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5151 S Hwy 163
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3290
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3290
Grades: PK-5
| 584 students
Rank: #99.
West Blvd. Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
319 West Blvd North
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3670
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3670
Grades: PK-5
| 320 students
Rank: #1010.
Parkade Elementary School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
111 Parkade Blvd
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3630
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3630
Grades: PK-5
| 373 students
Rank: #1111.
Shepard Blvd. Elementary School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2616 Shepard Blvd
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 214-3660
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 214-3660
Grades: PK-5
| 547 students
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
New Haven Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3301 New Haven Rd
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 214-3640
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 214-3640
Grades: PK-5
| 257 students
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Thomas Benton Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1410 Hinkson Ave
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 214-3610
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 214-3610
Grades: PK-5
| 216 students
Rank: #1414.
Derby Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4000 Derby Ridge Rd
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3270
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3270
Grades: PK-5
| 360 students
Rank: #1515.
Alpha Hart Lewis
(Math: 10% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
5801 Arbor Pointe Pkwy
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3200
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3200
Grades: PK-5
| 466 students
Rank: #1616.
Blue Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3700 Woodland Dr
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3580
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3580
Grades: PK-5
| 469 students
Rank: n/an/a
2201 E. Smiley Lane
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3400
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3400
Grades: PK
| 427 students
Columbia, Missouri Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Alpha School (Closed 2011)
Alternative School
1250 Brown School Rd
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 449-2953
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 449-2953
Grades: 5-12
| n/a students
Delmar A Cobble (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
108 West Craig
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 442-6482
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 442-6482
Grades: Inquire with school
| 33 students
1010 Rangeline St
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 214-3620
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 214-3620
Grades: PK-5
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public preschools in Columbia, MO?
The top ranked public preschools in Columbia, MO include Mill Creek Elementary School, Midway Heights Elementary School and Fairview Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Columbia?
17 public preschools are located in Columbia.
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia?
Columbia public preschools minority enrollment is 50% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Missouri public preschools average of 36% (majority Black).
Which public preschools in Columbia are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Columbia include: Thomas Benton Elementary School vs. West Blvd. Elementary School, West Blvd. Elementary School vs. Thomas Benton Elementary School, New Haven Elementary School vs. Shepard Blvd. Elementary School
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
