Top Rankings
Columbus Public Schools 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 2025-26 school year, there are 6 public elementary schools serving 2,672 students in Columbus Public Schools. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Nebraska.
Public Elementary Schools in Columbus Public Schools have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the Nebraska public elementary school average of 60%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public elementary school average of 39% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NE)
# Schools
9 Schools
686 Schools
# Students
4,145 Students
208,191 Students
# Teachers
258 Teachers
15,206 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Columbus Public Schools, 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%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
58%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
59%
62%
Graduation Rate
87%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.55
0.58
% American Indian
1%
1%
% Asian
1%
3%
% Hispanic
50%
23%
% Black
2%
7%
% White
44%
61%
% 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 $15,475. 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 $16,787. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$56 MM
$5,080 MM
Spending
$51 MM
$5,511 MM
Revenue / Student
$13,419
$15,475
Spending / Student
$12,192
$16,787
Best Columbus Public Schools Public Elementary Schools (2025-26)
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 | 347 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
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 | 313 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
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 | 299 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #44.
Columbus Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2200 26th St
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7060
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:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4100 Adamy St
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7075
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7075
Gr: PK-4 | 231 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #66.
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 | 275 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Recent Articles
Bullying, Name-Calling & Put-Downs: Parent Guide 2025
Practical tips for parents to address bullying, name-calling, and put-downs鈥攚ith 2025 data, policies, and expert strategies.
What Is a Magnet School? (2025 Guide)
Explore what a magnet school is, how it works, and its benefits in 2025. Clear explanation for parents, students, and educators.
Cooperative Learning in 2025: Evidence, Best Practices & Challenges
Explore cooperative learning in 2025鈥攏ew data, updated practices, expert insights for educators and families.
