Home > Montana > Stillwater County

Columbus Elementary School District

Item: Columbus Elementary School District
Rating: 9
Author: Public School Review

433 N 3rd St
Columbus, MT 59019

( shown in map)

Top 20%

Tel: (406) 322-5373

www.columbus.k12.mt.us

Top Rankings

Columbus Elementary School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Montana for:

Overview

This School District

This State (MT)

# Schools

2 Schools

839 Schools

# Students

456 Students

147,431 Students

# Teachers

29 Teachers

10,727 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

16:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Columbus Elementary School District	Montana
Pre-K	6	8
Kind	38	26
1	36	27
2	54	28
3	44	30
4	45	29
5	55	29
6	52	29
7	60	29
8	66	29

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

District Rank

Columbus Elementary School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 333 school districts in Montana (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

This School District

State Average (MT)

#60 out of 350 school districts
(Top 20%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Columbus Elementary School District
2023	#60
2022	#117
2021	#129
2019	#87
2018	#35
2017	#29
2016	#30
2015	#86
2013	#10
2012	#23
2011	#105

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

42%

37%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Columbus Elementary School District	Montana
2023	42%	37%
2022	42%	35%
2021	37%	36%
2019	49%	42%
2018	53%	42%
2017	54%	41%
2016	60%	43%
2015	49%	40%
2013	82%	66%
2012	81%	68%
2011	77%	68%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

54%

46%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Columbus Elementary School District	Montana
2022	54%	46%
2021	53%	47%
2019	60%	50%
2018	53%	51%
2017	63%	51%
2016	60%	50%
2015	56%	48%
2013	93%	84%
2012	92%	86%
2011	90%	84%
2010	94%	84%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

55-59%

37%

(2022-23)

11.9%

35.9%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Columbus Elementary School District	Montana
2023	11.9%	35.9%
2022	17.4%	41.1%
2021	30.5%	29.6%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.19

0.40

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Columbus Elementary School District	Montana
2023	0.20	0.39
2022	0.19	0.38
2021	0.21	0.38
2020	0.21	0.38
2019	0.21	0.38
2018	0.19	0.36
2017	0.19	0.36
2016	0.20	0.36
2015	0.18	0.35
2014	0.17	0.35
2013	0.18	0.33
2012	0.16	0.34
2011	0.16	0.33
2010	0.18	0.30
2009	0.17	0.29
2008	0.16	0.28
2007	0.13	0.28
2006	0.14	0.27
2005	0.11	0.27
2004	0.08	0.27
2003	0.10	0.27
2002	0.10	0.26
2001	0.12	0.26
2000	0.12	0.25
1999	0.07	0.24
1998	0.11	0.24
1997	0.10	0.24
1996	0.05	0.22
1995	0.07	0.22
1994	0.08	0.22
1993	0.09	0.22

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% American Indian

10%

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Columbus Elementary School District	Montana
2023	2%	10%
2022	1%	11%
2021	2%	11%
2020	3%	11%
2019	3%	11%
2018	2%	12%
2017	2%	12%
2016	2%	12%
2015	2%	11%
2014	3%	11%
2013	3%	11%
2012	3%	12%
2011	3%	11%
2010	2%	12%
2009	3%	12%
2008	3%	11%
2007	2%	12%
2006	2%	12%
2005	1%	11%
2003	2%	11%
2002	2%	11%
2001	2%	11%
2000	4%	11%
1999	2%	10%
1998	2%	10%
1997	2%	10%
1995	1%	10%
1994	2%	10%
1993	3%	9%
1992	9%	9%
1991	2%	9%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Asian

n/a

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Columbus Elementary School District	Montana
2023	1%	1%
2022	1%	1%
2021	1%	1%
2020	1%	1%
2019	1%	1%
2010	1%	1%
2009	1%	1%
2008	2%	1%
2007	2%	1%
2006	2%	1%
2005	2%	1%
2004	2%	1%
2003	2%	1%
2002	1%	1%
2001	2%	1%
2000	1%	1%
1999	1%	1%
1998	2%	1%
1997	1%	1%
1996	1%	1%
1995	1%	1%
1994	1%	1%
1993	1%	1%
1992	1%	1%
1991	1%	1%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Hispanic

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Columbus Elementary School District	Montana
2023	5%	6%
2022	4%	5%
2021	6%	5%
2020	5%	5%
2019	5%	5%
2018	4%	4%
2017	4%	4%
2016	3%	4%
2015	3%	4%
2014	4%	4%
2013	4%	4%
2012	5%	4%
2011	4%	4%
2010	5%	3%
2009	4%	3%
2008	4%	3%
2007	3%	2%
2006	2%	2%
2005	1%	2%
2004	1%	2%
2003	1%	2%
2002	2%	2%
2001	2%	2%
1998	1%	1%
1997	1%	2%
1995	1%	1%
1994	1%	1%
1993	1%	1%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Black

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1998-2023)
Year	Columbus Elementary School District	Montana
2023	1%	1%
2022	1%	1%
2012	1%	1%
2010	1%	1%
2009	1%	1%
2007	1%	1%
2005	1%	1%
2004	1%	1%
1999	1%	1%
1998	1%	1%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% White

90%

76%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Columbus Elementary School District	Montana
2023	89%	77%
2022	90%	78%
2021	89%	78%
2020	89%	78%
2019	89%	78%
2018	90%	79%
2017	90%	79%
2016	89%	79%
2015	91%	80%
2014	91%	80%
2013	91%	81%
2012	91%	81%
2011	92%	82%
2010	91%	83%
2009	91%	83%
2008	91%	84%
2007	92%	84%
2006	93%	85%
2005	94%	85%
2004	96%	85%
2003	95%	85%
2002	95%	85%
2001	94%	85%
2000	94%	86%
1999	96%	86%
1998	94%	87%
1997	95%	87%
1996	98%	88%
1995	96%	88%
1994	96%	88%
1993	95%	88%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Columbus Elementary School District	Montana
2023	2%	5%
2022	3%	4%
2021	2%	4%
2020	2%	4%
2019	2%	4%
2018	4%	3%
2017	4%	3%
2016	6%	3%
2015	4%	3%
2014	2%	3%
2013	1%	2%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $15,094 in this school district is less than the state median of $15,499. The school district revenue/student has grown by 25% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $13,439 is less than the state median of $15,589. The school district spending/student has declined by 30% over four school years.

This School District

This State (MT)

Total Revenue

$7 MM

$2,285 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Columbus Elementary School District	Montana
2023	$7 MM	$2 MM
2022	$6 MM	$2 MM
2021	$7 MM	$2 MM
2020	$6 MM	$2 MM
2019	$7 MM	$2 MM
2018	$5 MM	$2 MM
2017	$5 MM	$2 MM
2016	$5 MM	$2 MM
2015	$4 MM	$2 MM
2014	$4 MM	$2 MM
2012	$4 MM	$2 MM
2011	$4 MM	$2 MM
2010	$4 MM	$2 MM
2009	$4 MM	$1 MM
2008	$4 MM	$2 MM
2007	$4 MM	$1 MM
2006	$3 MM	$1 MM
2005	$3 MM	$1 MM
2004	$3 MM	$1 MM
2003	$3 MM	$1 MM
2002	$3 MM	$1 MM
2001	$3 MM	$1 MM
2000	$2 MM	$1 MM
1999	$2 MM	$1 MM
1998	$2 MM	$1 MM
1997	$2 MM	$1 MM
1996	$2 MM	$1 MM
1995	$2 MM	$1 MM

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Spending

$6 MM

$2,298 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Columbus Elementary School District	Montana
2023	$6 MM	$2 MM
2022	$10 MM	$2 MM
2021	$6 MM	$2 MM
2020	$10 MM	$2 MM
2019	$5 MM	$2 MM
2018	$4 MM	$2 MM
2017	$5 MM	$2 MM
2016	$4 MM	$2 MM
2015	$4 MM	$2 MM
2014	$4 MM	$2 MM
2012	$4 MM	$2 MM
2011	$4 MM	$2 MM
2010	$4 MM	$2 MM
2009	$4 MM	$1 MM
2008	$4 MM	$1 MM
2007	$3 MM	$1 MM
2006	$3 MM	$1 MM
2005	$3 MM	$1 MM
2004	$3 MM	$1 MM
2003	$3 MM	$1 MM
2002	$2 MM	$1 MM
2001	$2 MM	$1 MM
2000	$3 MM	$1 MM
1999	$4 MM	$1 MM
1998	$2 MM	$1 MM
1997	$2 MM	$1 MM
1996	$2 MM	$1 MM
1995	$2 MM	$1 MM

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Revenue / Student

$15,094

$15,499

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Columbus Elementary School District	Montana
2023	$14,676	$17,353
2022	$12,073	$17,118
2021	$14,898	$18,438
2020	$12,073	$17,118
2019	$13,370	$16,964
2018	$10,710	$17,300
2017	$9,722	$17,087
2016	$9,852	$16,286
2015	$8,129	$15,305
2014	$8,718	$16,457
2012	$9,260	$16,184
2011	$9,222	$15,398
2010	$8,977	$15,305
2009	$9,239	$13,611
2008	$8,965	$14,981
2007	$8,620	$13,019
2006	$7,897	$12,206
2005	$6,850	$11,851
2004	$7,016	$11,519
2003	$6,215	$10,500
2002	$6,043	$10,028
2001	$6,260	$9,685
2000	$5,169	$9,308
1999	$5,528	$8,330
1998	$4,669	$8,573
1997	$4,280	$7,655
1995	$4,431	$7,082
1992	$4,121	$7,082

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Spending / Student

$13,439

$15,589

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Columbus Elementary School District	Montana
2023	$13,066	$16,311
2022	$19,212	$16,545
2021	$13,264	$17,330
2020	$19,212	$16,545
2019	$9,499	$16,216
2018	$9,062	$17,245
2017	$9,028	$16,779
2016	$9,194	$16,362
2015	$8,133	$14,876
2014	$8,586	$16,381
2012	$9,458	$15,796
2011	$8,454	$15,854
2010	$8,982	$14,876
2009	$8,609	$13,259
2008	$8,179	$13,942
2007	$7,523	$12,364
2006	$7,047	$11,636
2005	$6,126	$11,089
2004	$6,400	$10,717
2003	$5,848	$10,434
2002	$5,577	$9,725
2001	$5,511	$9,463
2000	$6,199	$9,009
1999	$9,211	$8,277
1998	$4,526	$8,100
1997	$4,199	$7,814
1995	$4,062	$7,055
1992	$3,587	$6,494

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Best Columbus Elementary School District Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Columbus Elementary School

(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
:

10/

Top 10%

Add to Compare

218 E 1st Ave N
Columbus, MT 59019
(406) 322-5372

Gr: PK-5 | 278 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 11%

Rank: #22.

Columbus Middle School

(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

415 N 3rd St
Columbus, MT 59019
(406) 322-5375

Gr: 6-8 | 178 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 9%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Columbus Elementary School District?

Columbus Elementary School District manages 2 public schools serving 456 students.

What is the rank of Columbus Elementary School District?

Columbus Elementary School District is ranked #113 out of 333 school districts in Montana (top 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Montana school districts for: Highest overall rank (Top 20%), Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%), Highest science proficiency (Top 10%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)

What is the racial composition of students in Columbus Elementary School District?

90% of Columbus Elementary School District students are White, 5% of students are Hispanic, 2% of students are American Indian, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Black.

What is the student/teacher ratio of Columbus Elementary School District?

Columbus Elementary School District has a student/teacher ratio of 16:1, which is higher than the Montana state average of 14:1.

What is Columbus Elementary School District's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $13,439 is less than the state median of $15,589. The school district spending/student has declined by 30% over four school years.

Recent Articles

July 08, 2026

Gifted, Honors, and Advanced Tracks: Are They Accessible or Just Advertised?

Learn how to evaluate gifted, honors, and advanced academic programs in public schools, including admission criteria, equity, and the questions every parent should ask.

July 08, 2026

Algebra Readiness: What Parents Should Ask Before Middle School

Discover how to determine if your child is ready for algebra before middle school, including the questions parents should ask and the skills students need to succeed.

July 08, 2026

How to Evaluate Reading Instruction in Your Zoned Elementary School

Learn how to evaluate reading instruction in your neighborhood elementary school by recognizing effective literacy practices, asking the right questions, and understanding what quality reading instruction looks like.

Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 2 schools
Grades: PK-08
Enrollment: 456 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
Minority Enrollment: 10%
: Top 20% in MT
: 42% (Top 30%)
: 54% (Top 20%)
: 55-59% (Top 10%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MT Dept. of Education