Average
#1514 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Columbus Elementary School
Elementary School · Carteret Public School District
1 CARTERET AVENUE, Carteret, NJ 07008
Enrollment
625
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
625
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Carteret
#2 of 5
public schools
New Jersey elementary schools
#907 of 1,496
In district
#3 of 6
Carteret Public School District
About Columbus Elementary School
Columbus Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Carteret, New Jersey, serving students from pre-K through fourth grade. With an enrollment of 625 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.6:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each child thrive. The teaching staff includes 54 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting academic growth.
Columbus Elementary School is situated in a large suburban area within Middlesex County. While the school's MySchoolScout Rating stands at 4.1 out of 10 and its state ranking is #1857 out of 2475 schools, focusing on student development and community engagement can provide opportunities for academic improvement. The current proficiency rates in ELA/Reading are around 28%, and in Math, about 20% of students meet or exceed the standards.
Despite these challenges, Columbus Elementary School remains committed to nurturing young minds and fostering a supportive learning environment within its large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Columbus Elementary School — Students at Columbus Elementary School score 22% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
72.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from NJ 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: 6.0/10.
How Columbus Elementary School Compares
See how Columbus Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 18% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 34% (2019) to 27% (2022).
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 8.6/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Staten Island), which scores notably higher. Another option is PS 4 MAURICE WOLLIN (rated 8.5/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Staten Island), which scores notably higher. Additionally, KATHLEEN GRIMM SCHOOL FOR LEADERSHIP (rated 7.4/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Staten Island), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Carteret, see our Carteret schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.2 miNeighborhood 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Columbus Elementary School has a median household income of $87,712. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $370,100, with a median rent of $2,012/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alfred Zampella School Jersey City, NJ | 5.8 |
| Avenel Street Elementary School Avenel, NJ | 5.8 |
| Belleville PS5 Belleville, NJ | 5.8 |
| Benjamin Franklin School No. 13 Elizabeth, NJ | 5.8 |
| Berkeley Terrace Elementary School Irvington, NJ | 5.8 |
| Chesterfield Township Elementary School Chesterfield, NJ | 5.8 |
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 is ranked #1514 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Columbus Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Columbus Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbus Elementary School has 20.1% math proficiency and 28.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,576/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Carteret). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (732) 541-8960
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Carteret Public School District- District Enrollment
- 4,009
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,265
- District Rank
- #3 of 6
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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