5.1 avg / 10

Best Schools in Columbus, Nebraska

18 schools · 13 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 11

Private: 7

Districts: 2

Avg Rating: 5.1/10

Estimated Scores: 33%

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 5.1/10
Median household income: $70,697
Median home value: $204,700
Bachelor's degree or higher: 24%
Avg commute: 15 min
Owner-occupied homes: 71%

How Columbus compares

Nebraska rank

#93 of 98

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

-1.2

below Nebraska avg (6.3)

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 5.1 out of 10, schools in Columbus show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Columbus is St Anthony School with a composite score of 7.0/10, 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.

Filter by Level: All Levels (18) Elementary (13) Middle (2) High (2)

Filter by Type: All Types (18) Public (11) Private (7)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (18) Academics (18) Growth (10) Resources (11)

Filter by ZIP: 68601 (10) 68602 (8)

Elementary Schools

13 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	SHELL CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 346 students · Pre-K–6th	346	Pre-K–6th	5.8
2	LOST CREEK ELEMENTARY SCH 313 students · Pre-K–4th	313	Pre-K–4th	4.2
3	WEST PARK ELEMENTARY 231 students · Pre-K–4th	231	Pre-K–4th	4.2
4	NORTH PARK ELEMENTARY 299 students · Pre-K–4th	299	Pre-K–4th	4.0
5	CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 347 students · Pre-K–4th	347	Pre-K–4th	3.8
6	EMERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 275 students · Pre-K–4th	275	Pre-K–4th	3.5
Private Schools 7 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.
1	ST ANTHONY SCHOOL Private 91 students · Pre-K–6th	91	Pre-K–6th	Not Rated
2	ST BONAVENTURE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Private 189 students · Kindergarten–6th	189	Kindergarten–6th	Not Rated
3	ST ISIDORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Private 208 students · Pre-K–6th	208	Pre-K–6th	Not Rated
4	IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Private 142 students · Kindergarten–8th	142	Kindergarten–8th	Not Rated
5	ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Private 45 students · Pre-K–7th	45	Pre-K–7th	Not Rated
6	CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Private 26 students · Pre-K–8th	26	Pre-K–8th	Not Rated
7	COLUMBUS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Private 23 students · Pre-K–5th	23	Pre-K–5th	Not Rated

Middle Schools

2 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	LAKEVIEW JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL 136 students · 7th–8th	136	7th–8th	6.4
2	COLUMBUS MIDDLE SCHOOL 1,207 students · 5th–8th	1,207	5th–8th	4.8

High Schools

2 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	LAKEVIEW HIGH SCHOOL 326 students · 9th–12th	326	9th–12th	6.6
2	COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL 1,295 students · 9th–12th	1,295	9th–12th	4.7

Other Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	KRAMER EDUCATION CENTER 178 students · Pre-K–Pre-K	178	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.

Quick Facts

State: Nebraska
Total Schools: 18
Elementary: 13
Middle: 2
High: 2
Districts: 2
Avg Rating: 5.1/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Columbus schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Columbus 📊 Niche Columbus Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School Districts (2)

LAKEVIEW COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

4 schools · 964 students

COLUMBUS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

9 schools · 4,145 students

Nearby Cities

Richland (1 school)

7 mi

Platte Center (1 school)

David City (4 schools)

Other Major Cities in Nebraska

Top metros statewide by school count.

Omaha 193 schools Lincoln 86 schools Bellevue 34 schools Grand Island 27 schools

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently 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 5.1 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Columbus, Nebraska?

The top-ranked school in Columbus on MySchoolScout is St Anthony School with a composite score of 7.0/10.

What is the best elementary school in Columbus, Nebraska?

The top-ranked elementary school in Columbus on MySchoolScout is St Anthony School with a composite score of 7.0/10.

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 6.4/10.

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 6.6/10.

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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.