Best Schools in Columbus, Kansas
4 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Columbus?
Use this page to compare every school in Columbus by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Central Elem
Middle · Columbus. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Columbus Junior High and High School
High · Columbus. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Highland Elem
Elementary · Columbus. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Columbus for 2026 are Central Elem (6.7/10), Columbus Junior High and High School (6.2/10), and Highland Elem (6.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$106,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
6.2
out of 10
Median Home
$106,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Columbus
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Elem | 6.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Columbus Junior High and High School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Highland Elem | 6.1 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.2/10
- Median household income
- $52,292
- Median home value
- $106,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 27%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 71%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Columbus compares
Kansas rank
#79 of 140
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below Kansas avg (6.4)
Median household income
$52k
73% of Kansas median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Columbus, Kansas
Columbus, Kansas is home to 4 schools, including 4 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.2 out of 10, schools in Columbus show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Columbus is Central Elem with a composite score of 6.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Columbus is served by 1 school district: Columbus. These districts collectively serve 990 students.
Columbus's community shows 27% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $52,292. The poverty rate in the area is 15.0%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 136 students · 2nd–3rd | 6.1 |
| 2 | 216 students · Pre-K–1st | 5.6 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 208 students · 4th–6th | 6.7 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 430 students · 7th–12th | 6.2 |
Schools in Columbus
Columbus, Kansas · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$52,292
Median Home Value
$106,800
Median Rent
$796/mo
Population
5,102
College Educated
27%
Homeownership
71%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
15.0%
Community Profile
Columbus has a median household income of $52,292. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $106,800, with a median rent of $796/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.0%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Kansas
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Kansas
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Columbus, Kansas
How many schools are in Columbus, Kansas?
Columbus has 4 schools, including 4 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Columbus, Kansas?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Columbus is 6.2 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Columbus, Kansas?
The top-ranked school in Columbus on MySchoolScout is Central Elem with a composite score of 6.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Columbus, Kansas?
The top-ranked elementary school in Columbus on MySchoolScout is Highland Elem with a composite score of 6.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Columbus, Kansas?
The top-ranked middle school in Columbus on MySchoolScout is Central Elem with a composite score of 6.7/10.
What is the best high school in Columbus, Kansas?
The top-ranked high school in Columbus on MySchoolScout is Columbus Junior High and High School with a composite score of 6.2/10.
How many school districts serve Columbus, Kansas?
Columbus is served by 1 school district: Columbus.
What is the education level in Columbus, Kansas?
According to Census data, 27% of adults in Columbus have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Columbus, Kansas?
The median household income in Columbus is approximately $52,292 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Columbus, Kansas?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Columbus is 14.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Columbus, Kansas?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Kansas Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.