Average
#523 of 864 schools in NM
Columbia Elementary
Elementary School · LAS CRUCES
4555 ELKS DRIVE, Las Cruces, NM 88005
Enrollment
198
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
198
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Las Cruces
#32 of 45
public schools
New Mexico elementary schools
#286 of 468
In district
#28 of 39
LAS CRUCES
School environment
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Columbia Elementary
Columbia Elementary is a regular public school located in the mid-size suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 198 students with a student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1. Teachers at Columbia work hard to provide individualized attention in a nurturing environment.
Columbia Elementary's academic performance is currently rated at the 28th percentile among New Mexico schools, indicating there is room for growth and improvement. The school’s MySchoolScout rating reflects this with a score of 3.8 out of 10 for academics. Specifically, only 26% of students are proficient in ELA/Reading, while just 14% are proficient in Math.
Despite the challenges highlighted by these statistics, Columbia Elementary continues to focus on student development and offers a supportive educational environment where children can learn and grow. The school is situated in a community that values education and supports its local schools. Columbia Elementary sits in a suburb setting, offering students a blend of urban conveniences with a small-town feel.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 198 students, Columbia Elementary 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, Columbia Elementary offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Columbia Elementary — Students at Columbia Elementary score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 4 test records from NM state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.5/10.
How Columbia Elementary Compares
See how Columbia Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 16% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
4555 ELKS DRIVE, Las Cruces, NM 88005
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Columbia Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SONOMA ELEMENTARY (rated 8.5/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LAS CRUCES CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, J PAUL TAYLOR ACADEMY (rated 8.3/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Las Cruces, see our Las Cruces schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| VISTA MIDDLE Las Cruces | 0.3 mi | 5.3 |
| DONA ANA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| JORNADA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 2.0 mi | 7.0 |
| EAST PICACHO ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 1.9 mi | 7.9 |
| RAICES DEL SABER XINACHTLI COMMUNITY Las Cruces | 3.1 mi | 5.5 |
| LOMA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 3.2 mi | 7.6 |
| MAYFIELD HIGH Las Cruces | 3.4 mi | 6.2 |
| HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 2.9 mi | 7.1 |
| CAMINO REAL MIDDLE Las Cruces | 3.1 mi | 6.6 |
| LAS CRUCES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Las Cruces | 3.6 mi | 8.3 |
| ALAMEDA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 3.6 mi | 5.1 |
| BOOKER T. WASHINGTON Las Cruces | 3.7 mi | 5.2 |
| MISSION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Las Cruces | 3.5 mi | — |
| EXPLORE ACADEMY LAS CRUCES Las Cruces | 3.7 mi | 8.2 |
| SONOMA ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 3.4 mi | 8.5 |
| SIERRA MIDDLE Las Cruces | 3.9 mi | 6.7 |
| J PAUL TAYLOR ACADEMY Las Cruces | 4.2 mi | 8.3 |
| MAC ARTHUR ELEMENTARY Las Cruces | 4.2 mi | 7.1 |
| PICACHO MIDDLE Las Cruces | 4.2 mi | 5.0 |
| ALMA D'ARTE CHARTER Las Cruces | 4.3 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 88005 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,770
Median Home Value
$207,100
Median Rent
$899/mo
Population
27,017
College Educated
31%
Homeownership
61.1%
Avg Commute
21.4 min
Poverty Rate
20.9%
Median Age
37.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Columbia Elementary has a median household income of $51,770. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $207,100, with a median rent of $899/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Artesia, NM | 5.9 |
| SOMBRA DEL MONTE ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM | 5.9 |
| JEMEZ VALLEY ELEMENTARY Jemez Pueblo, NM | 6.0 |
| NORTH VALLEY ACADEMY Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, NM | 6.0 |
| TWIN LAKES ELEMENTARY Gallup, NM | 6.0 |
| BARCELONA ELEMENTARY Albuquerque, NM | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Columbia Elementary
What grades does Columbia Elementary serve?
Columbia Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Columbia Elementary?
Columbia Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 198 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbia Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Columbia Elementary is 9.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Columbia Elementary rank in NM?
Columbia Elementary is ranked #523 out of 864 schools in NM.
What is Columbia Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Columbia Elementary has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Columbia Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbia Elementary has 14.0% math proficiency and 26.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Columbia Elementary a charter school?
No, Columbia Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Columbia Elementary a Title I school?
No, Columbia Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Columbia Elementary?
99.5% of students at Columbia Elementary 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
- City Safety
- High (5,602/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Las Cruces). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 198
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Doña Ana County
- Phone
- (575) 527-1561
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
LAS CRUCES- District Enrollment
- 23,404
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,965
- District Rank
- #28 of 39
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.
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