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Needs Improvement

#2175 of 2,216 schools in MO

Columbian Elem.

Elementary School · CARTHAGE R-IX

1015 W MACON, Carthage, MO 64836

Enrollment

378

Student-Teacher

11.8:1

Score

3.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 3rd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Carthage

#9 of 10

public schools

Missouri elementary schools

#1,172 of 1,202

In district

#9 of 10

CARTHAGE R-IX

School environment

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Columbian Elem.

Columbian Elem is a regular public elementary school located in Carthage, Missouri, on the edge of an urban area. The school serves students from kindergarten through third grade and has a total enrollment of 378 students with a student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1. With 32 full-time equivalent teachers, Columbian Elem aims to provide individualized attention to each child's learning needs.

Academically, the school is rated at 3.1 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks 2097th out of 2234 schools in Missouri, placing it in the 6th percentile statewide. Students perform around 27% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 29% proficient or above in Math. While these scores indicate there is room for improvement, Columbian Elem continues to focus on student development and growth.

Columbian Elem's setting offers a mix of small-town charm with easy access to urban amenities nearby.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.7Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-7.72 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected-8.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.3Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,140

Columbian Elem. — Students at Columbian Elem. score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

85.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 28.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 27.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
17%

* 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: 1.7/10.

How Columbian Elem. Compares

See how Columbian Elem. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.4/10
2th percentile in MO
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
1.7/10
Below average
Environment
7.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

1015 W MACON, Carthage, MO 64836

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbian Elem. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MARK TWAIN ELEM. (rated 8.8/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CARTHAGE INTERMEDIATE CENTER (rated 7.1/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CARTERVILLE ELEM. (rated 6.8/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Carterville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Carthage, see our Carthage schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.3 mi
School Distance Rating
MARK TWAIN ELEM. Carthage 0.8 mi 8.8
CARTHAGE 6TH GRADE CENTER Carthage 0.9 mi 7.4
CARTHAGE JR. HIGH Carthage 1.3 mi 7.9
EARLY CHILDHOOD AND PAT CENTER Carthage 1.4 mi 6.8
CARTHAGE INTERMEDIATE CENTER Carthage 2.1 mi 7.1
FAIRVIEW ELEM. Carthage 1.8 mi 5.9
STEADLEY ELEM. Carthage 2.2 mi 5.5
CARTHAGE HIGH SCHOOL Carthage 2.1 mi 4.2
PLEASANT VALLEY ELEM. Carthage 3.2 mi 3.1
CARTERVILLE ELEM. Carterville 6.5 mi 6.8
BESS TRUMAN PRIMARY CTR. Webb City 7.4 mi 5.2
HARRY S. TRUMAN ELEM. Webb City 7.5 mi 6.3
WEBSTER PRIMARY CTR. Webb City 7.7 mi 4.5
HERITAGE PRESCHOOL Webb City 7.7 mi 5.3
MADGE T. JAMES KIND. CTR. Webb City 7.8 mi 5.0
WEBB CITY MIDDLE Webb City 8.0 mi 7.1
COLLEGE HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Joplin 8.5 mi 5.6
EUGENE FIELD ELEM. Webb City 8.3 mi 6.3
WEBB CITY HIGH Webb City 8.2 mi 5.5
WEBB CITY JR. HIGH Webb City 8.3 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 64836 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,775

Median Home Value

$157,700

Median Rent

$883/mo

Population

25,727

College Educated

24%

Homeownership

65.4%

Avg Commute

18.9 min

Poverty Rate

23.7%

Median Age

35.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Columbian Elem. has a median household income of $58,775. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $157,700, with a median rent of $883/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Ferguson, MO 3.4
FLEETRIDGE ELEM. Kansas City, MO 3.4
GLADDEN ELEM. Belton, MO 3.4
MEADOWS ELEM. St. Louis, MO 3.4
ACADEMIE LAFAYETTE CHERRY ELEM Kansas City, MO 3.3
ASH GROVE ELEM. Ash Grove, MO 3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbian Elem.

What grades does Columbian Elem. serve?

Columbian Elem. serves students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd.

How many students attend Columbian Elem.?

Columbian Elem. has an enrollment of approximately 378 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbian Elem.?

The student-teacher ratio at Columbian Elem. is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Columbian Elem. rank in MO?

Columbian Elem. is ranked #2175 out of 2,216 schools in MO.

What is Columbian Elem.'s MySchoolScout rating?

Columbian Elem. has a composite rating of 3.4 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 Columbian Elem.?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbian Elem. has 28.7% math proficiency and 27.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Columbian Elem. a charter school?

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

Is Columbian Elem. a Title I school?

No, Columbian Elem. is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Columbian Elem.?

85.2% of students at Columbian 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (1,466/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Carthage). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Enrollment
378
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
85.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Jasper County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

CARTHAGE R-IX
District Enrollment
5,062
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,082
District Rank
#9 of 10

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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