Top Rankings
Columbus Elementary School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Montana for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 10%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there is 1 public middle school serving 176 students in Columbus Elementary School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in Montana.
Public Middle School in Columbus Elementary School District have an average math proficiency score of 27% (versus the Montana public middle school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 7% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Montana public middle school average of 23% (majority American Indian).
Overview
This School District
This State (MT)
# Schools
2 Schools
331 Schools
# Students
496 Students
34,525 Students
# Teachers
30 Teachers
2,568 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
17:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Columbus Elementary School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 334 school districts in Montana (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
Overall District Rank
#60 out of 350 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
42%
37%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
54%
46%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
55-59%
37%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.19
0.39
% American Indian
2%
11%
% Asian
1%
1%
% Hispanic
5%
6%
% Black
1%
1%
% White
90%
77%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
1%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $13,877 in this school district is less than the state median of $15,263. The school district revenue/student has declined by 6% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $12,355 is less than the state median of $15,352. The school district spending/student has declined by 6% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$7 MM
$2,285 MM
Spending
$6 MM
$2,298 MM
Revenue / Student
$13,877
$15,263
Spending / Student
$12,355
$15,352
Best Columbus Elementary School District Public Middle Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Columbus Middle School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
415 N 3rd St
Columbus, MT 59019
(406) 322-5375
Columbus, MT 59019
(406) 322-5375
Gr: 6-8 | 176 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Recent Articles

School Choice vs. Neighborhood Schools: Key Factors
Explore school choice vs. neighborhood schools in 2025. Learn key factors parents should weigh when deciding the best fit for their child.

Best School Match 2025: Public vs Charter vs Magnet
Compare 2025 public, charter, and magnet school options with updated data, trends, and strategies to find the best fit.

Public School Boundaries and Equity in 2025
Explore how public school boundaries shape access, equity, and opportunity for students in 2025. Learn the impact on families and education policy.