Average
#496 of 1,293 schools in KS
Top 38% in state
Central Elem
Middle School · Columbus
810 S High School Avenue, Columbus, KS 66725
Enrollment
208
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
6.7
Grades
4th – 6th
Enrollment
208
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
6.7
Grades
4th – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbus
#1 of 4
public schools
Kansas middle schools
#55 of 222
In district
#1 of 4
Columbus
Academic growth
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Central Elem
Central Elem is a regular public middle school located in Columbus, Kansas, serving students from fourth through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 208 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1, the school benefits from smaller class sizes that allow for more individualized attention. Central Elem has 15 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education in a rural setting.
While Central Elem’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.2 out of 10 and it ranks 723rd among Kansas schools, the school focuses on student development and continuous improvement. In academic performance, only 35% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and just 22% meet proficiency standards in Math. These scores indicate areas where the school is working to enhance its educational programs.
Central Elem sits in a quiet rural area, offering a close-knit community feel for its students and families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Central Elem may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Central Elem — Students at Central Elem score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from KS state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.2/10.
How Central Elem Compares
See how Central Elem performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 19% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 29% (2022).
Location
810 S High School Avenue, Columbus, KS 66725
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Elem may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Riverton Middle (rated 6.5/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Riverton), with a very similar rating. Another option is QUAPAW MS (rated 6.4/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Quapaw), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Southeast Middle School (rated 5.3/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Cherokee), a more accessible option. For more schools in Columbus, see our Columbus schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus Junior High and High School Columbus | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Highland Elem Columbus | 0.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Park Elem Columbus | 1.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Southeast Elementary School Weir | 10.7 mi | 9.2 |
| Riverton Middle Riverton | 10.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Riverton High Riverton | 10.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Riverton Elem Riverton | 10.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Baxter Springs High Baxter Springs | 10.7 mi | 6.9 |
| USD 508 eAcademy Baxter Springs | 10.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Lincoln Elem Baxter Springs | 11.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Southeast High Cherokee | 12.4 mi | 3.5 |
| Central Elem Baxter Springs | 11.5 mi | 8.9 |
| Southeast Middle School Cherokee | 12.8 mi | 5.3 |
| QUAPAW ES Quapaw | 14.2 mi | 2.9 |
| QUAPAW HS Quapaw | 14.4 mi | 7.6 |
| QUAPAW MS Quapaw | 14.4 mi | 6.4 |
| ALEXANDER ES Commerce | 15.3 mi | 4.1 |
| COMMERCE MS Commerce | 15.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Liberty Elem Galena | 13.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Galena High Galena | 13.3 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 66725 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$52,292
Median Home Value
$106,800
Median Rent
$796/mo
Population
5,102
College Educated
26.7%
Homeownership
71%
Avg Commute
21.3 min
Poverty Rate
15%
Median Age
44.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Elem 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.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Reno Valley Middle School Hutchinson, KS | 6.7 |
| Concordia Middle Concordia, KS | 6.8 |
| Hutchinson Middle School 7 Hutchinson, KS | 6.5 |
| Osage City Middle School Osage City, KS | 6.9 |
| Riverton Middle Riverton, KS | 6.5 |
| Cheney Middle School 6-8 Cheney, KS | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Elem
What grades does Central Elem serve?
Central Elem serves students in grades 4th through 6th.
How many students attend Central Elem?
Central Elem has an enrollment of approximately 208 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elem?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elem is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Elem rank in KS?
Central Elem is ranked #496 out of 1,293 schools in KS.
What is Central Elem's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elem has a composite rating of 6.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Central Elem?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elem has 21.7% math proficiency and 35.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central Elem a charter school?
No, Central Elem is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Elem a Title I school?
No, Central Elem is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elem?
56.2% of students at Central Elem qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,031/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbus). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 4th – 6th
- Enrollment
- 208
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 56.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Cherokee County
- Phone
- (620) 429-3943
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Columbus- District Enrollment
- 990
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,603
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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