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Average

#692 of 1,992 schools in MN

Top 35% in state

Columbus Elementary

Elementary School · FOREST LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

17345 NOTRE DAME ST, Forest Lake, MN 55025

Enrollment

426

Student-Teacher

19.4:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Minnesota schools

#692 of 1,992

In Forest Lake

#3 of 14

public schools

In district

#1 of 12

FOREST LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic performance

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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Columbus Elementary

6.8/10

Elementary School in Forest Lake · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

North Lakes Academy Middle School

4.5/10

1.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

North Lakes Academy Elementary

6.4/10

1.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Columbus Elementary

Columbus Elementary is a public elementary school in Forest Lake, MN, part of FOREST LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. Columbus Elementary serves approximately 426 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 19.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Columbus Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #692 of 1,992 schools in MN.

Structured state assessment records for Columbus Elementary show 75% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.1 pts above district
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • MN avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Columbus Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.6Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.3 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency62% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency65% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)57% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+7.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,282
Chronic Absenteeism16.2%

Columbus Elementary — Students at Columbus Elementary score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

21.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MN EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 74.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 69.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from MN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
85%
ELA
83%
2010
Math
74%
ELA
84%
2011
Math
78%
ELA
80%
2012
Math
76%
ELA
63%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
71%
2014
Math
79%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
78%
ELA
66%
2016
Math
75%
ELA
68%
2017
Math
74%
ELA
69%
2018
Math
71%
ELA
66%
2019
Math
71%
ELA
66%
2020*
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
62%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Columbus Elementary Compares

See how Columbus Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
65th percentile in MN
Academic
8.7/10
Excellent
Growth
6.6/10
Average
Environment
4.2/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
22 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.2%

Location

17345 NOTRE DAME ST, Forest Lake, MN 55025

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbus Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CENTERVILLE ELEMENTARY (rated 7.7/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Centerville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ONEKA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Hugo), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lino Lakes Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Lino Lakes), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Forest Lake, see our Forest Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.2 mi
School Distance Rating
North Lakes Academy Middle School Forest Lake 1.8 mi 4.5
North Lakes Academy Elementary Forest Lake 1.8 mi 6.4
North Lakes Academy Upper School Forest Lake 2.3 mi 7.8
Forest Lake Area Community School Forest Lake 2.7 mi 4.9
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION Forest Lake 2.7 mi 5.2
STEP Forest Lake 2.9 mi 4.0
FOREST LAKE ELEMENTARY Forest Lake 2.9 mi 5.6
Forest View Elementary Forest Lake 3.0 mi 5.3
LILA Upper School Forest Lake 3.9 mi 7.1
LILA Kinder Center Forest Lake 3.4 mi 4.4
LILA Lower School Forest Lake 3.5 mi 5.7
Wyoming Elementary Wyoming 3.9 mi 5.6
Forest Lake Area High School Forest Lake 3.8 mi 5.8
ST PETER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Forest Lake 3.8 mi 5.7
Forest Lake Area Middle School Forest Lake 4.0 mi 5.2
Linwood Elementary Wyoming 6.4 mi 4.0
Lino Lakes Elementary Lino Lakes 6.6 mi 6.6
ONEKA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hugo 7.6 mi 6.7
CENTERVILLE ELEMENTARY Centerville 8.2 mi 7.7
North Star Elementary Hugo 8.2 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 55025 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$95,993

Median Home Value

$385,800

Median Rent

$1,355/mo

Population

25,759

College Educated

35.8%

Homeownership

74%

Avg Commute

26.4 min

Poverty Rate

6%

Median Age

39.2

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ANNUNCIATION SCHOOL Minneapolis, MN 6.8
CEDAR ISLAND ELEMENTARY Maple Grove, MN 6.8
DEERWOOD ELEMENTARY Eagan, MN 6.8
Laurentian Elementary Eveleth, MN 6.8
MURDOCK ELEMENTARY Murdock, MN 6.8
OAK GROVE ELEMENTARY Bloomington, MN 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbus Elementary

What grades does Columbus Elementary serve?

Columbus Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Columbus Elementary?

Columbus Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 426 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbus Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Columbus Elementary is 19.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Columbus Elementary rank in MN?

Columbus Elementary ranks #692 of 1,992 schools in MN.

What is Columbus Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbus Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Columbus Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Columbus Elementary has 75% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Columbus Elementary a charter school?

No, Columbus Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Columbus Elementary a Title I school?

No, Columbus Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Columbus Elementary?

21.1% of students at Columbus Elementary 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

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
426
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
22
Free/Reduced Lunch
21.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Anoka County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.2%

District

FOREST LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
5,763
Schools in District
14
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,282
District Rank
#1 of 12

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