Best Schools in Columbus, Wisconsin
8 schools · 5 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 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.
Wisconsin Academy
High. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Discovery Charter School
Elementary · Columbus School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Columbus Middle
Middle · Columbus School District. 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 Wisconsin Academy (8.6/10), Discovery Charter School (8.4/10), and Columbus Middle (7.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 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
8
4 public · 4 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$258,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
8
4 public · 4 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$258,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Columbus
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 of 8). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wisconsin Academy | 8.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Discovery Charter School | 8.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Columbus Middle | 7.5 / 10 |
| 4 | St Jerome School | 6.7 / 10 |
| 5 | Zion Evangelical Lutheran School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Columbus Elementary | 6.0 / 10 |
| 7 | Columbus High | 4.4 / 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
- 6.8/10
- Median household income
- $86,667
- Median home value
- $258,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 30%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 74%
43% 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
Wisconsin rank
#123 of 324
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.4
above Wisconsin avg (6.4)
Median household income
$87k
111% of Wisconsin median
Schools in this city
7
About Schools in Columbus, Wisconsin
Columbus, Wisconsin is home to 8 schools, including 4 public schools and 4 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.8 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 Wisconsin Academy with a composite score of 8.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Columbus is served by 1 school district: Columbus School District. These districts collectively serve 1,130 students.
Columbus's community shows 30% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $86,667. The poverty rate in the area is 6.6%.
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
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 76 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 8.4 | ||
| 2 | 438 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.0 | ||
| Private Schools 3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | St Jerome School
Private
101 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.7 | ||
| 2 | Zion Evangelical Lutheran School
Private
68 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.2 | ||
| 3 | Petersen Adventist School
Private
19 students · Kindergarten–8th | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 243 students · 6th–8th | 7.5 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 370 students · 9th–12th | 4.4 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Wisconsin Academy
Private
72 students · 9th–12th | 8.6 | ||
Schools in Columbus
Columbus, Wisconsin · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$86,667
Median Home Value
$258,400
Median Rent
$852/mo
Population
8,956
College Educated
30%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Community Profile
Columbus has a median household income of $86,667. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $258,400, with a median rent of $852/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Wisconsin
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Wisconsin
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, Wisconsin
How many schools are in Columbus, Wisconsin?
Columbus has 8 schools, including 4 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Columbus, Wisconsin?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Columbus is 6.8 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, Wisconsin?
The top-ranked school in Columbus on MySchoolScout is Wisconsin Academy with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Columbus, Wisconsin?
The top-ranked elementary school in Columbus on MySchoolScout is Discovery Charter School with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Columbus, Wisconsin?
The top-ranked middle school in Columbus on MySchoolScout is Columbus Middle with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best high school in Columbus, Wisconsin?
The top-ranked high school in Columbus on MySchoolScout is Wisconsin Academy with a composite score of 8.6/10.
How many school districts serve Columbus, Wisconsin?
Columbus is served by 1 school district: Columbus School District.
What is the education level in Columbus, Wisconsin?
According to Census data, 30% of adults in Columbus have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Columbus, Wisconsin?
The median household income in Columbus is approximately $86,667 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Columbus, Wisconsin?
Yes, Columbus has 4 private schools alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is Wisconsin Academy with a score of 8.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Columbus, Wisconsin?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Columbus is 11.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Columbus, Wisconsin?
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.
Related reading
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Wisconsin Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.