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Very Good

#821 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 33% in state

Columbus Elementary School

Elementary School · Carteret Public School District

1 CARTERET AVENUE, Carteret, NJ 07008

Enrollment

625

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#821 of 2,466

In Carteret

#2 of 6

public schools

In district

#2 of 6

Carteret Public School District

Academic growth

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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Columbus Elementary School

7.1/10

Elementary School in Carteret · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Gateway School

7.5/10

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

Yeshiva Gedolah of Carteret Inc.

6.2/10

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

About Columbus Elementary School

Columbus Elementary School is a public elementary school in Carteret, NJ, part of Carteret Public School District. Columbus Elementary School serves approximately 625 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Columbus Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #821 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Columbus Elementary School show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts above district
  • This school 7.1 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.5
  • NJ avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+5.53 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics5.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.6% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency33% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-20.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.9 pts
Overall Proficiency30% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)27% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+3.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,265
Chronic Absenteeism19%

Columbus Elementary School — Students at Columbus Elementary School score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 36.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
47.5% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 36.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
48.4% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 36 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
68%
ELA
44%
2010
Math
70%
ELA
47%
2011
Math
70%
ELA
50%
2012
Math
69%
ELA
48%
2013
Math
61%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
23%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
39%
ELA
41%
2016
Math
28%
ELA
43%
2017
Math
29%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
34%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
34%
2020*
Math
8%
ELA
28%
2021*
Math
8%
ELA
28%
2022
Math
18%
ELA
27%
2024
Math
23.7%
ELA
25.9%
2025
Math
27.6%
ELA
33%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How Columbus Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
67th percentile in NJ
Academic
5.5/10
Average
Growth
8.9/10
Excellent
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
73%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1 CARTERET AVENUE, Carteret, NJ 07008

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbus Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PS 26 CARTERET SCHOOL (THE) (rated 8.5/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Staten Island), which scores notably higher. Another option is Nathan Hale Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Matthew Jago Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Sewaren), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Carteret, see our Carteret schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
GATEWAY SCHOOL Carteret 0.1 mi 7.5
YESHIVA GEDOLAH OF CARTERET INC. Carteret 0.5 mi 6.2
Carteret Junior High School Carteret 0.5 mi 5.4
Carteret High School Carteret 0.5 mi 4.6
Nathan Hale Elementary School Carteret 0.8 mi 8.1
Carteret Middle School Carteret 0.8 mi 6.2
Port Reading Avenue Elementary School Port Reading 1.0 mi 7.1
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Carteret 1.3 mi 7.0
Private Nicholas Minue Elementary School Carteret 1.9 mi 4.2
KATHLEEN GRIMM SCHOOL FOR LEADERSHIP Staten Island 2.2 mi 7.3
PS 56 LOUIS DESARIO SCHOOL (THE) Staten Island 2.2 mi 7.2
PS 4 MAURICE WOLLIN Staten Island 2.0 mi 7.3
PS 26 CARTERET SCHOOL (THE) Staten Island 2.1 mi 8.5
IS 75 FRANK D PAULO Staten Island 2.4 mi 8.0
Matthew Jago Elementary School Sewaren 2.2 mi 7.5
PS 36 J C DRUMGOOLE Staten Island 3.0 mi 6.4
Number 2 Linden 3.4 mi 6.6
EARLY COLLEGE CHARTER SCHOOL Staten Island 3.1 mi 4.1
JOHN W LAVELLE PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL Staten Island 3.2 mi 6.1
NEW VENTURES CHARTER SCHOOL Staten Island 3.2 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07008 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$87,712

Median Home Value

$370,100

Median Rent

$2,012/mo

Population

25,220

College Educated

27.7%

Homeownership

55.3%

Avg Commute

32.2 min

Poverty Rate

10%

Median Age

39.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Battle Hill Elementary Union, NJ 7.1
Brookside Elementary School Westwood, NJ 7.1
Cedar Hill School Basking Ridge, NJ 7.1
Dionne Warwick Institute East Orange, NJ 7.1
Drum Point Road Elementary School Brick Town, NJ 7.1
George C. Baker Elementary School Moorestown, NJ 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbus Elementary School

What grades does Columbus Elementary School serve?

Columbus Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Columbus Elementary School?

Columbus Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 625 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Columbus Elementary School is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Columbus Elementary School rank in NJ?

Columbus Elementary School ranks #821 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Columbus Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbus Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 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 Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Columbus Elementary School has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Columbus Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Columbus Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

72.6% of students at Columbus Elementary 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
74 Very Walkable
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
625
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
54
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Middlesex County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.0%

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