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
Enrollment
1,295
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
4.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Columbus High School — Students at Columbus High School score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NE EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from NE state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.6/10.
How Columbus High School Compares
See how Columbus High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 49% (2019) to 50% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 39% (2019) to 42% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (402) 563-7050
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
COLUMBUS PUBLIC SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 4,145
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,835
- District Rank
- #2 of 7
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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