Top Rankings
Columbus School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Nebraska for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 7 public preschools serving 1,643 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 36% (versus the Nebraska public pre school average of 49%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 58% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public preschool average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NE)
# Schools
9 Schools
608 Schools
# Students
4,145 Students
159,116 Students
# Teachers
258 Teachers
11,545 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 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 84% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#203 out of 246 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
46%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
59%
62%
Graduation Rate
84%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.55
0.57
% American Indian
1%
2%
% Asian
1%
3%
% Hispanic
50%
22%
% Black
2%
6%
% 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.
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 Preschools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Centennial Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
500 Centennial St
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-8180
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-8180
Grades: PK-4
| 347 students
Rank: #22.
West Park Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4100 Adamy St
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7075
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7075
Grades: PK-4
| 231 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Lost Creek Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3772 33rd Ave
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7045
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7045
Grades: PK-4
| 313 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
North Park Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2200 31st St
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7070
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7070
Grades: PK-4
| 299 students
Rank: #55.
Emerson Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2410 20th St
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7030
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7030
Grades: PK-4
| 275 students
Rank: n/an/a
2410 16th Street
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7000
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7000
Grades: PK
| 178 students
Rank: n/an/a
2508 27th Street
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7000
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7000
Grades: PK
| n/a students
Recent Articles

Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.

2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.

Will Single Sex Classrooms Save Public Schools?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.