Best Schools in Columbus, Nebraska
18 schools · 13 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
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.
Shell Creek Elementary School
Elementary · Lakeview Community Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
St Anthony School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Lakeview High School
High · Lakeview Community Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Columbus for 2026 are Shell Creek Elementary School (8.1/10), St Anthony School (7.0/10), and Lakeview High School (6.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 15 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
18
11 public · 7 private
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$204,700
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
18
11 public · 7 private
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$204,700
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 6.2/10 despite 61% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.9 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Columbus schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Columbus
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (15 of 18). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shell Creek Elementary School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 2 | St Anthony School | 7.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Lakeview High School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 4 | St Bonaventure Elementary School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Lakeview Junior High School | 6.3 / 10 |
| 6 | Centennial Elementary School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 7 | St Isidore Elementary School | 5.4 / 10 |
| 8 | Immanuel Lutheran School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 9 | Columbus High School | 4.9 / 10 |
| 10 | West Park Elementary | 4.8 / 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
- 5.4/10
- Median household income
- $70,697
- Median home value
- $204,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24%
- Avg commute
- 15 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 71%
13% 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
Nebraska rank
#82 of 98
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.8
below Nebraska avg (6.2)
Median household income
$71k
95% of Nebraska median
Schools in this city
15
About Schools in Columbus, Nebraska
Columbus, Nebraska is home to 18 schools, including 11 public schools and 7 private schools. The city's schools span 13 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.4 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 Shell Creek Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Columbus is served by 2 school districts: LAKEVIEW COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, COLUMBUS PUBLIC SCHOOLS. These districts collectively serve 5,109 students.
Columbus's community shows 24% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $70,697. The poverty rate in the area is 9.3%.
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
13 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 346 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.1 | ||
| 2 | 347 students · Pre-K–4th | 6.2 | ||
| 3 | 231 students · Pre-K–4th | 4.8 | ||
| 4 | 313 students · Pre-K–4th | 4.7 | ||
| 5 | 299 students · Pre-K–4th | 3.8 | ||
| 6 | 275 students · Pre-K–4th | 3.3 | ||
Private Schools7 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Anthony SchoolPrivate 91 students · Pre-K–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 189 students · Kindergarten–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | St Isidore Elementary SchoolPrivate 208 students · Pre-K–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | Immanuel Lutheran SchoolPrivate 142 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 13 elementary schools in Columbus
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 136 students · 7th–8th | 6.3 |
| 2 | 1,207 students · 5th–8th | 4.3 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 326 students · 9th–12th | 6.4 |
| 2 | 1,295 students · 9th–12th | 4.9 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 178 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | — |
Schools in Columbus
Columbus, Nebraska · 18 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$70,697
Median Home Value
$204,700
Median Rent
$872/mo
Population
30,619
College Educated
24%
Homeownership
71%
Avg Commute
15 min
Poverty Rate
9.3%
Community Profile
Columbus has a median household income of $70,697. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $204,700, with a median rent of $872/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Nebraska
- Elementary
- 13
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Nebraska
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, Nebraska
How many schools are in Columbus, Nebraska?
Columbus has 18 schools, including 11 public and 7 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Columbus, Nebraska?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Columbus is 5.4 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, Nebraska?
The top-ranked school in Columbus on MySchoolScout is Shell Creek Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Columbus, Nebraska?
The top-ranked elementary school in Columbus on MySchoolScout is Shell Creek Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Columbus, Nebraska?
The top-ranked middle school in Columbus on MySchoolScout is Lakeview Junior High School with a composite score of 6.3/10.
What is the best high school in Columbus, Nebraska?
The top-ranked high school in Columbus on MySchoolScout is Lakeview High School with a composite score of 6.4/10.
How many school districts serve Columbus, Nebraska?
Columbus is served by 2 school districts: Lakeview Community Schools, Columbus Public Schools.
What is the education level in Columbus, Nebraska?
According to Census data, 24% of adults in Columbus have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Columbus, Nebraska?
The median household income in Columbus is approximately $70,697 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Columbus, Nebraska?
Yes, Columbus has 7 private schools alongside 11 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Anthony School with a score of 7.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Columbus, Nebraska?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Columbus is 15.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Columbus, Nebraska?
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, Nebraska Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.