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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

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 metrics
Student Progress4.1Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-4.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,705

Columbus Middle School — Students at Columbus Middle School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MT EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 35.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 53.7%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
47%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.5/10
11th percentile in MT
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
4.1/10
Below average
Environment
2.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

Related reading

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