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Below Average

#806 of 966 schools in NE

Columbus High School

High School · COLUMBUS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

3434 DISCOVERER DRIVE PO BOX 947, Columbus, NE 68602

Enrollment

1,295

Student-Teacher

17:1

Score

4.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Columbus

#5 of 10

public schools

Nebraska high schools

#236 of 263

In district

#2 of 7

COLUMBUS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Columbus High School

Columbus High School serves 1,295 students in grades 9-12 in Columbus, Nebraska, with a student-teacher ratio of 17:1 and 76 full-time equivalent teachers. As one of the larger high schools in the state, Columbus High provides educational opportunities for teenagers in this Platte County community. The school currently ranks 635th out of 974 Nebraska high schools, placing it in the 35th percentile statewide, with room for academic growth.

Math performance shows particular strength, with 50% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels, while English Language Arts sees 42% of students meeting proficiency standards. These results indicate the school is working to support student development across core academic areas. With over 1,200 students, Columbus High offers the advantages of a larger school environment, potentially providing diverse course offerings and extracurricular opportunities that smaller schools might not accommodate.

The 17:1 student-teacher ratio allows for reasonably sized classes while maintaining the breadth of programming that comes with a substantial enrollment. Columbus High School operates in a remote town setting, serving as an important educational hub for families in this rural Nebraska community where students can access comprehensive high school programming close to home.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.37 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.1Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency50%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency46%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-2.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
College Readiness1.4Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation2.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.0Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,223

Columbus High School — Students at Columbus High School score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 40.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
49%
ELA
39%
2021*
Math
38%
ELA
39%
2022
Math
50%
ELA
42%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Columbus High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
17th percentile in NE
Academic
6.1/10
6.1/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
3.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
76 teachers

Location

3434 DISCOVERER DRIVE PO BOX 947, Columbus, NE 68602

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbus High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BELLWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 9.0/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Bellwood), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST ANTHONY SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PLATTE CENTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Platte Center), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbus, see our Columbus schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.4 mi
School Distance Rating
LOST CREEK ELEMENTARY SCH Columbus 0.3 mi 4.2
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Columbus 1.1 mi 5.3
NORTH PARK ELEMENTARY Columbus 1.2 mi 4.0
COLUMBUS MIDDLE SCHOOL Columbus 1.4 mi 4.8
ST ISIDORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 1.6 mi 5.4
WEST PARK ELEMENTARY Columbus 1.5 mi 4.2
EMERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 1.6 mi 3.5
COLUMBUS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Columbus 1.8 mi
KRAMER EDUCATION CENTER Columbus 1.9 mi
ST BONAVENTURE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 2.2 mi 6.4
LAKEVIEW HIGH SCHOOL Columbus 2.8 mi 6.6
LAKEVIEW JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Columbus 2.8 mi 6.4
ST ANTHONY SCHOOL Columbus 2.7 mi 7.0
CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 3.3 mi 3.8
SHELL CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 4.0 mi 5.8
CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Columbus 8.1 mi
PLATTE CENTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Platte Center 8.1 mi 7.0
RICHLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Richland 8.1 mi 4.4
ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Columbus 11.4 mi 4.2
BELLWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bellwood 10.4 mi 9.0

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
HASTINGS SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Hastings, NE 4.8
KEARNEY HIGH SCHOOL Kearney, NE 4.8
SOUTH SIOUX HIGH SCHOOL So Sioux City, NE 4.6
SCOTTSBLUFF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Scottsbluff, NE 4.5
NORFOLK SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Norfolk, NE 5.3
NORTH PLATTE HIGH SCHOOL North Platte, NE 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbus High School

What grades does Columbus High School serve?

Columbus High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Columbus High School?

Columbus High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,295 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Columbus High School is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Columbus High School rank in NE?

Columbus High School is ranked #806 out of 966 schools in NE.

What is Columbus High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbus High School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbus High School has 45.7% math proficiency and 40.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Columbus High School a charter school?

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

Is Columbus High School a Title I school?

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

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

53.4% of students at Columbus High 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
14 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,016/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,295
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
Teachers (FTE)
76
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Platte County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

COLUMBUS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
4,145
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,835
District Rank
#2 of 7

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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