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 2026-27 school year, there are 7 public preschools serving 1,668 students in Columbus School District. This district's average pre testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public pre schools in Nebraska.
Public Preschools in Columbus School District have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the Nebraska public pre school average of 60%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public preschool average of 40% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NE)
# Schools
9 Schools
603 Schools
# Students
4,171 Students
159,329 Students
# Teachers
258 Teachers
11,651 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.
Overall District Rank
#220 out of 246 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
58%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
47%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
59%
62%
Graduation Rate
87%
87.3%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)18.8%
22.6%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.54
0.58
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
1%
2%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 28-year historical data available below ↓
% Asian
1%
3%
Showing 2009–2023. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
54%
23%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
1%
7%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓
% White
42%
60%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
1%
5%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $13,614 in this school district is less than the state median of $17,314. The school district revenue/student has declined by 7% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,796 is less than the state median of $17,740. The school district spending/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$57 MM
$5,719 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending
$62 MM
$5,860 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$13,614
$17,314
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$14,796
$17,740
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Columbus School District Public Preschools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Centennial Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
500 Centennial St
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-8180
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-8180
Gr: PK-4 | 353 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #22.
Lost Creek Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3772 33rd Ave
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7045
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7045
Gr: PK-4 | 318 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #33.
North Park Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2200 31st St
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7070
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7070
Gr: PK-4 | 304 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #44.
West Park Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4100 Adamy St
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7075
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7075
Gr: PK-4 | 215 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #55.
Emerson Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2410 20th St
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7030
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7030
Gr: PK-4 | 286 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: n/an/a
2410 16th Street
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7000
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7000
Gr: PK | 170 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: n/an/a
2508 27th Street
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7000
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7000
Gr: PK | 22 students Minority enrollment: 86%
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