Below Average
#537 of 603 schools in MT
Columbus Middle School
Middle School · Columbus Elem
433 N 3rd St, Columbus, MT 59019
Enrollment
176
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
4.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
176
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
4.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbus
#3 of 3
public schools
Montana middle schools
#125 of 143
In district
#2 of 2
Columbus Elem
About Columbus Middle School
Columbus Middle School is a public middle school located in the rural community of Columbus, Montana. With an enrollment of 176 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1, the school provides a relatively small classroom environment. The school houses grades 6 through 8 and has ten full-time equivalent teachers to support its students.
Columbus Middle School's academic performance is currently rated at 5.6 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, ranking it in the 24th percentile among Montana schools. In ELA/Reading, 54% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 35% meet proficiency standards. These scores suggest there is room for academic growth and development.
The school's setting in a remote rural area offers a close-knit community feel where teachers and staff work closely with families to support student needs. Columbus Middle School serves as an important hub within its tight-knit neighborhood, fostering a sense of belonging among students and parents alike.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 176 students, Columbus Middle School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Columbus Middle 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Columbus Middle School — Students at Columbus Middle School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MT state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.1/10.
How Columbus Middle School Compares
See how Columbus Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
433 N 3rd St, Columbus, MT 59019
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Columbus Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Joliet Middle School (rated 7.7/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby Joliet), which scores notably higher. Another option is Absarokee 6-8 (rated 7.1/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Absarokee), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Park City 7-8 (rated 4.1/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Park City), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Columbus, see our Columbus schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus High School Columbus | 0.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Columbus Elem School Columbus | 0.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Absarokee School Absarokee | 12.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Absarokee 6-8 Absarokee | 12.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Absarokee High School Absarokee | 12.8 mi | 9.1 |
| Reed Point Elementary Reed Point | 14.6 mi | — |
| Roberts School Roberts | 19.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Roberts High School Roberts | 19.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Roberts 7-8 Roberts | 19.9 mi | — |
| Reed Point 7-8 Reed Point | 14.8 mi | — |
| Reed Point High School Reed Point | 14.8 mi | — |
| Fishtail School Fishtail | 17.8 mi | — |
| Joliet School Joliet | 17.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Joliet Middle School Joliet | 17.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Joliet High School Joliet | 17.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Rapelje School Rapelje | 22.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Rapelje 7-8 Rapelje | 22.8 mi | — |
| Rapelje High School Rapelje | 22.8 mi | — |
| Park City School Park City | 16.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Park City 7-8 Park City | 16.4 mi | 4.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Columbus Middle School has a median household income of $86,905. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $352,900, with a median rent of $921/month. The local poverty rate of 8.3% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Stevensville 7-8 Stevensville, MT | 4.5 |
| Elder Grove 7-8 Billings, MT | 4.6 |
| Whitehall 6-8 Whitehall, MT | 4.4 |
| Edna Thomas School Corvallis, MT | 4.8 |
| Bonner 6-8 Bonner, MT | 4.1 |
| Three Forks 7-8 Three Forks, MT | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Columbus Middle School
What grades does Columbus Middle School serve?
Columbus Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Columbus Middle School?
Columbus Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 176 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbus Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Columbus Middle School is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Columbus Middle School rank in MT?
Columbus Middle School is ranked #537 out of 603 schools in MT.
What is Columbus Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Columbus Middle School has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbus Middle School has 35.3% math proficiency and 53.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Columbus Middle School a charter school?
No, Columbus Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Columbus Middle School a Title I school?
No, Columbus Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Columbus Middle School?
29.0% of students at Columbus Middle 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,189/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbus). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 176
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 29.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Stillwater County
- Phone
- (406) 322-5375
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Columbus Elem- District Enrollment
- 496
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,989
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
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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