Columbus School District

2508 27th St
Columbus, NE 68602-0947
(District boundaries shown in map)
2/
10
Bottom 50%

Top Rankings

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

Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 10%)
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 4,145 students in Columbus School District. This district's average testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Nebraska.
Public Schools in Columbus School District have an average math proficiency score of 46% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public school average of 38% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (NE)
# Schools
9 Schools
1,100 Schools
# Students
4,145 Students
328,496 Students
# Teachers
258 Teachers
24,032 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Columbus School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 245 school districts in Nebraska (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 87% has decreased from 90% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (NE)
#220 out of 246 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
46%
58%
40%
47%
59%
62%
87%
87%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.55
0.57
% American Indian
1%
1%
% Asian
1%
3%
% Hispanic
50%
22%
% Black
2%
7%
% White
44%
62%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
5%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $13,419 in this school district is less than the state median of $15,464. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $12,192 is less than the state median of $16,776. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (NE)
Total Revenue
$56 MM
$5,080 MM
Spending
$51 MM
$5,511 MM
Revenue / Student
$13,419
$15,464
Spending / Student
$12,192
$16,776

Best Columbus School District Public Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Centennial Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
500 Centennial St
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-8180
Gr: PK-4 | 347 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #22.
Lost Creek Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
3772 33rd Ave
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7045
Gr: PK-4 | 313 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #33.
North Park Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2200 31st St
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7070
Gr: PK-4 | 299 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #44.
Columbus Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2200 26th St
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7060
Gr: 5-8 | 1,207 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #55.
West Park Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4100 Adamy St
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7075
Gr: PK-4 | 231 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #66.
Columbus High School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3434 Discoverer Drive
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7050
Gr: 9-12 | 1,295 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #77.
Emerson Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2410 20th St
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7030
Gr: PK-4 | 275 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: n/an/a
2410 16th Street
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7000
Gr: PK | 178 students Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
2508 27th Street
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7000
Gr: PK

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Columbus School District?
Columbus School District manages 9 public schools serving 4,145 students.
What is the rank of Columbus School District?
Columbus School District is ranked #215 out of 245 school districts in Nebraska (bottom 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 Nebraska school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 10%), Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Columbus School District?
50% of Columbus School District students are Hispanic, 44% of students are White, 2% of students are Black, 2% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Columbus School District?
Columbus School District has a student/teacher ratio of 16:1, which is higher than the Nebraska state average of 14:1.
What is Columbus School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $12,192 is less than the state median of $16,776. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

Recent Articles

Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.

Quick Facts (2025)

  • District size: 9 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 4,145 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 56%
  • : 87% (Top 10% in NE)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 46% (Btm 50%)
  • : 40% (Btm 50%)
  • : 59% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NE Dept. of Education

Quick Links