The brief
The top-rated elementary schools in Columbus for 2026 are Maryland Elementary School (9.6/10), Montrose Elementary School (9.5/10), and Stevenson Elementary (9.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 153 elementary schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Columbus is one of Ohio's largest metros for elementary school choice, with 134 ranked schools spanning the city and its surrounding districts. Quality varies significantly across that field — the average composite score sits at 4.7 out of 10, meaning strong performers stand well above the middle. Maryland Elementary School leads all ranked schools with a 9.3, followed closely by Montrose Elementary at 9.1 and Stevenson Elementary at 8.9. Only 13 schools — roughly 10% of the ranked pool — score 7 or higher, so the table below is worth sorting carefully. Families searching for high performers will find them concentrated in specific districts rather than spread evenly across the metro. Use the filters and columns to compare schools by score, district, and other factors that matter most to your household. The data does the work; this page just puts it in one place.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 19.6
- 29.5
- 39.5
- 49.2
- 59.2
- 69.1
- 79.0
- 89.0
- 98.9
- 108.6
All 153 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.Top 25 of 153
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1Maryland Elementary SchoolBexley Citystudents 334student-teacher ratio 15.2:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 2Montrose Elementary SchoolBexley Citystudents 330student-teacher ratio 15.0:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 3Stevenson ElementaryGrandview Heights Schoolsstudents 368student-teacher ratio 16.0:1grades Pre-K–3rd
- 4Bluffsview Elementary SchoolWorthington Citystudents 397student-teacher ratio 17.3:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 5Columbus Montessori Education Centerstudents 132student-teacher ratio 6.7:1grades Pre-K–6th
- 6St Joseph Montessori Schoolstudents 167student-teacher ratio 5.1:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 7Cassingham Elementary SchoolBexley Citystudents 501student-teacher ratio 17.9:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 8Tree of Life-Indianola Branch Clintonville Campusstudents 205student-teacher ratio 7.5:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 9Worthington Hills Elementary SchoolWorthington Citystudents 538student-teacher ratio 19.2:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 10Clinton Elementary SchoolColumbus City Schools Districtstudents 471student-teacher ratio 18.8:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 11Valley Forge Elementary SchoolColumbus City Schools Districtstudents 241student-teacher ratio 13.4:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 12Brookside Elementary SchoolWorthington Citystudents 343student-teacher ratio 16.3:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 13Granby Elementary SchoolWorthington Citystudents 436student-teacher ratio 18.2:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 14Ecole Kenwood French ImmersionColumbus City Schools Districtstudents 455student-teacher ratio 17.5:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 15Hamilton Elementary SchoolHamilton Localstudents 973student-teacher ratio 17.7:1grades Kindergarten–3rd
- 16Daniel Wright Elementary SchoolDublin Citystudents 571student-teacher ratio 16.8:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 17Clintonville Academystudents 105student-teacher ratio 7.7:1grades Pre-K–8th
- 18Focus Learning Academy of Northern ColumbuscharterFocus Learning Academy of Northern Columbusstudents 672student-teacher ratio 17.2:1grades Kindergarten–8th
- 19Indian Springs Elementary SchoolColumbus City Schools Districtstudents 360student-teacher ratio 18.9:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 20Summit Academy Community School-ColumbuscharterSummit Academy Community School-Columbusstudents 30student-teacher ratio 7.5:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 21Tree of Life Christian School-Clintonvillestudents 204student-teacher ratio 9.4:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 22South Mifflin Stem Academy (k-6)Columbus City Schools Districtstudents 244student-teacher ratio 17.4:1grades Pre-K–6th
- 23Parkmoor Elementary SchoolColumbus City Schools Districtstudents 302student-teacher ratio 16.8:1grades Pre-K–5th
- 24Almadina Academystudents 84student-teacher ratio 10.5:1grades Kindergarten–5th
- 25Sedalia ElementaryGroveport Madison Localstudents 579student-teacher ratio 17.0:1grades Kindergarten–5th
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Ohio education department. Rankings are relative to all public elementary schools in Ohio. Learn about our methodology.
The map
The top 25 pinned; open a pin for the campus.Campus by campus
What each of the top ten reports.- 1
Maryland Elementary School
Bexley City
334 students · 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 1% in Ohio
- Academics
- 9.7
- Growth
- 9.6
- Environment
- 9.7
- 2
Montrose Elementary School
Bexley City
330 students · 15.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 1% in Ohio
- Academics
- 9.5
- Growth
- 9.5
- Environment
- 9.6
- 3
Stevenson Elementary
Grandview Heights Schools
368 students · 16.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–3rd
Top 1% in Ohio
- Academics
- 9.7
- Growth
- 9.4
- Environment
- 9.7
- 4
Bluffsview Elementary School
Worthington City
397 students · 17.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–5th
Top 3% in Ohio
- Academics
- 9.5
- Growth
- 9.3
- Environment
- 8.4
- 5
Columbus Montessori Education Center
132 students · 6.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–6th
Top 1% in Ohio
- Academics
- not scored
- Growth
- not scored
- Environment
- not scored
- 6
St Joseph Montessori School
167 students · 5.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–8th
Top 1% in Ohio
- Academics
- not scored
- Growth
- not scored
- Environment
- not scored
- 7
Cassingham Elementary School
Bexley City
501 students · 17.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 5% in Ohio
- Academics
- 9.3
- Growth
- 8.7
- Environment
- 9.3
- 8
Tree of Life-Indianola Branch Clintonville Campus
205 students · 7.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 1% in Ohio
- Academics
- not scored
- Growth
- not scored
- Environment
- not scored
- 9
Worthington Hills Elementary School
Worthington City
538 students · 19.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–5th
Top 7% in Ohio
- Academics
- 9.8
- Growth
- 8.9
- Environment
- 7.6
- 10
Clinton Elementary School
Columbus City Schools District
471 students · 18.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–5th
Top 11% in Ohio
- Academics
- 9.5
- Growth
- 8.2
- Environment
- 8.4
Questions
What is the best elementary school in Columbus, Ohio?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Maryland Elementary School is the top-rated elementary school in Columbus with a composite score of 9.6/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many elementary schools are in Columbus, Ohio?
Columbus has 168 elementary schools, including 38 charter schools. Of these, 158 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average elementary school rating in Columbus?
Among 158 Columbus elementary schools with a composite score, the average is 5.6/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Ohio).
How does MySchoolScout rate elementary schools?
Schools with enough data receive a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within Ohio, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Ohio, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Columbus elementary school rankings?
Columbus has 38 charter elementary schools in its directory. Charter schools that meet this ranking's data requirements are included alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.
How should I use this ranking?
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Explore more
- Best middle schools in Columbus2026 rankings and ratings
- Best high schools in Columbus2026 rankings and ratings
- All 277 schools in ColumbusElementary, middle and high
- Ohio schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings