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#692 of 1,293 schools in KS

Columbus Junior High and High School

High School · Columbus

124 S High School Avenue, Columbus, KS 66725

Enrollment

430

Student-Teacher

13.4:1

Score

6.1

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Columbus

#2 of 4

public schools

Kansas high schools

#168 of 336

In district

#2 of 4

Columbus

Academic growth

7.2 / 10

Strong

About Columbus Junior High and High School

Columbus Junior High and High School is a regular public school located in the heart of Columbus, Kansas. The school serves students from seventh grade through twelfth grade, with an enrollment of 430 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1, students receive personalized attention and support.

The dedicated faculty consists of 32 full-time equivalent teachers committed to the academic and social development of their pupils. Columbus Junior High and High School faces challenges in test performance, ranking 18th percentile among schools in Kansas with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10. Students demonstrate proficiency rates of 25% in ELA/Reading and 9% in Math across all grades, indicating areas for academic growth.

Despite these challenges, the school community remains focused on nurturing student development and providing comprehensive educational support. The school is situated in a rural area, offering students a close-knit community atmosphere. With strong ties to its surrounding neighborhood, Columbus Junior High and High School fosters a supportive environment where students can thrive both academically and socially.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Columbus Junior High and High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Columbus Junior High and High School 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.57 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics3.0Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected-15.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,501

Columbus Junior High and High School — Students at Columbus Junior High and High School score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 9.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from KS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%

* 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 Columbus Junior High and High School Compares

See how Columbus Junior High and High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
47th percentile in KS
Academic
3.0/10
3.0/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
7.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

124 S High School Avenue, Columbus, KS 66725

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbus Junior High and High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. QUAPAW HS (rated 7.6/10, 15.0 miles away, in nearby Quapaw), which scores notably higher. Another option is Baxter Springs High (rated 6.9/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Baxter Springs), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Galena High (rated 6.2/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Galena), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Columbus, see our Columbus schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Highland Elem Columbus 0.3 mi 4.6
Central Elem Columbus 0.6 mi 6.7
Park Elem Columbus 0.9 mi 4.7
Southeast Elementary School Weir 10.2 mi 9.2
Southeast High Cherokee 11.8 mi 3.5
Riverton Middle Riverton 10.4 mi 6.5
Riverton High Riverton 10.4 mi 5.4
Riverton Elem Riverton 10.4 mi 7.2
Baxter Springs High Baxter Springs 11.2 mi 6.9
USD 508 eAcademy Baxter Springs 11.2 mi 5.3
Southeast Middle School Cherokee 12.3 mi 5.3
Lincoln Elem Baxter Springs 11.6 mi 5.9
Central Elem Baxter Springs 12.1 mi 8.9
QUAPAW ES Quapaw 14.8 mi 2.9
QUAPAW HS Quapaw 15.0 mi 7.6
QUAPAW MS Quapaw 15.0 mi 6.4
ALEXANDER ES Commerce 15.9 mi 4.1
Liberty Elem Galena 13.6 mi 5.8
Galena High Galena 13.6 mi 6.2
Galena Middle School Galena 13.6 mi 7.8

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 Columbus Junior High and High School 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
Anderson County Jr/Sr High School Garnett, KS 6.1
Cherryvale Sr / Middle School Cherryvale, KS 6.1
Marysville Jr/Sr High Marysville, KS 6.1
Ulysses High Ulysses, KS 6.1
Clearwater High Clearwater, KS 6.0
Wamego High Wamego, KS 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbus Junior High and High School

What grades does Columbus Junior High and High School serve?

Columbus Junior High and High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Columbus Junior High and High School?

Columbus Junior High and High School has an enrollment of approximately 430 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbus Junior High and High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Columbus Junior High and High School is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Columbus Junior High and High School rank in KS?

Columbus Junior High and High School is ranked #692 out of 1,293 schools in KS.

What is Columbus Junior High and High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbus Junior High and High School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Columbus Junior High and High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbus Junior High and High School has 9.0% math proficiency and 25.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Columbus Junior High and High School a charter school?

No, Columbus Junior High and High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Columbus Junior High and High School a Title I school?

No, Columbus Junior High and High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Columbus Junior High and High School?

54.2% of students at Columbus Junior High and High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
7th – 12th
Enrollment
430
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Cherokee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Columbus
District Enrollment
990
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,603
District Rank
#2 of 4

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

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