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Very Good

#176 of 603 schools in MT

Top 29% in state

Columbus Elem School

Elementary School · Columbus Elem

433 N 3rd St, Columbus, MT 59019

Enrollment

320

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Montana schools

#176 of 603

In Columbus

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

Columbus Elem

Academic performance

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Columbus Elem School

7.4/10

Elementary School in Columbus · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Columbus Middle School

6.2/10

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

Columbus High School

6.1/10

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

About Columbus Elem School

Columbus Elem School is a public elementary school in Columbus, MT, part of Columbus Elem. Columbus Elem School serves approximately 320 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. Columbus Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #176 of 603 schools in MT.

Structured state assessment records for Columbus Elem School show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.9 pts above MT schools
  • This school 7.4 · Very Good
  • MT avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Columbus Elem School 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 Progress6.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.35 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency55% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+10.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,989
Chronic Absenteeism9.7%

Columbus Elem School — Students at Columbus Elem School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 63.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 71.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from MT state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
97.5%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
57%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Columbus Elem School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
71th percentile in MT
Academic
8.8/10
Excellent
Growth
6.7/10
Average
Environment
7.1/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.7%

Location

433 N 3rd St, Columbus, MT 59019

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbus Elem School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Absarokee School (rated 6.3/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Absarokee), a more accessible option. Another option is Rapelje School (rated 6.2/10, 23.0 miles away, in nearby Rapelje), a more accessible option. Additionally, Joliet School (rated 6.1/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby Joliet), a more accessible option. For more schools in Columbus, see our Columbus schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Columbus Middle School Columbus 0.2 mi 6.2
Columbus High School Columbus 0.2 mi 6.1
Absarokee School Absarokee 12.7 mi 6.3
Absarokee 6-8 Absarokee 12.7 mi 5.3
Absarokee High School Absarokee 12.7 mi 9.5
Roberts School Roberts 19.7 mi 3.4
Roberts High School Roberts 19.7 mi 7.6
Roberts 7-8 Roberts 19.7 mi
Reed Point Elementary Reed Point 14.6 mi
Reed Point 7-8 Reed Point 14.8 mi
Reed Point High School Reed Point 14.8 mi
Fishtail School Fishtail 17.6 mi
Joliet School Joliet 17.3 mi 6.1
Joliet Middle School Joliet 17.3 mi 6.0
Joliet High School Joliet 17.3 mi 6.1
Rapelje School Rapelje 23.0 mi 6.2
Rapelje 7-8 Rapelje 23.0 mi
Rapelje High School Rapelje 23.0 mi
Park City School Park City 16.5 mi 4.1
Park City 7-8 Park City 16.5 mi 2.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59019 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$86,905

Median Home Value

$352,900

Median Rent

$921/mo

Population

4,267

College Educated

27.5%

Homeownership

81.6%

Poverty Rate

8.3%

Median Age

45.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Eureka Elementary School Eureka, MT 7.4
Hellgate Elem Lower Grades Missoula, MT 7.4
Rossiter School Helena, MT 7.4
Arrowhead School Billings, MT 7.5
Eagle Cliffs Elementary Billings, MT 7.5
East Evergreen School Kalispell, MT 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbus Elem School

What grades does Columbus Elem School serve?

Columbus Elem School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Columbus Elem School?

Columbus Elem School has an enrollment of approximately 320 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbus Elem School?

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

How does Columbus Elem School rank in MT?

Columbus Elem School ranks #176 of 603 schools in MT.

What is Columbus Elem School's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbus Elem School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Elem School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Columbus Elem School has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Columbus Elem School a charter school?

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

Is Columbus Elem School a Title I school?

No, Columbus Elem School is not currently a Title I school.

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

32.2% of students at Columbus Elem 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

Walk Score
58 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
51 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
320
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Stillwater County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.7%

District

Columbus Elem
District Enrollment
496
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,989
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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