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Needs Improvement

#858 of 864 schools in NM

Columbus Elementary

Elementary School · DEMING

PO BOX 210, Columbus, NM 88029

Enrollment

488

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

3.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

New Mexico elementary schools

#467 of 468

In district

#13 of 13

DEMING

About Columbus Elementary

Columbus Elementary, located in the remote rural area of Columbus, New Mexico, is a regular public elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 488 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child. Teachers at Columbus Elementary work diligently with full-time equivalents numbering 32.

Columbus Elementary has a MySchoolScout rating of 2.3 out of 10, reflecting its current standing in the state rankings as the 839th out of 874 schools in New Mexico (4th percentile). Academically, the school is focusing on student development and growth, with an average of 26% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 22% proficiency or above in Math across all grade levels. Despite these challenges, Columbus Elementary continues to prioritize the educational needs of its students within this rural community.

The setting of Columbus Elementary is characterized by its remote location, which gives it a unique sense of closeness and support among the local population.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Columbus Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.6Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-7.33 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14%
Reading/ELA Proficiency13%
Overall Proficiency14%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected-8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,484

Columbus Elementary — Students at Columbus Elementary score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NM EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 22.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 26.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from NM state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
31%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
14%
ELA
13%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.6/10.

How Columbus Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.0/10
1th percentile in NM
Academic
3.9/10
3.9/10
Growth
1.6/10
Below average
Environment
5.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

PO BOX 210, Columbus, NM 88029

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbus Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BELL ELEMENTARY (rated 7.7/10, 29.5 miles away, in nearby Deming), which scores notably higher. Another option is CHAPARRAL ELEMENTARY (rated 6.8/10, 28.5 miles away, in nearby Deming), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MEMORIAL ELEMENTARY (rated 6.8/10, 29.2 miles away, in nearby Deming), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbus, see our Columbus schools guide .

Nearby Schools

12 within 30.8 mi
School Distance Rating
CHAPARRAL ELEMENTARY Deming 28.5 mi 6.8
DEMING INTERMEDIATE Deming 28.6 mi 6.9
DEMING HIGH Deming 29.0 mi 5.6
BATAAN ELEMENTARY Deming 28.9 mi 5.0
RED MOUNTAIN MIDDLE Deming 29.0 mi 5.1
MIMBRES VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Deming 29.1 mi 6.6
MY LITTLE SCHOOL Deming 29.2 mi 7.3
MEMORIAL ELEMENTARY Deming 29.2 mi 6.8
EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Deming 29.5 mi 6.0
BELL ELEMENTARY Deming 29.5 mi 7.7
DEMING CESAR CHAVEZ Deming 30.2 mi 7.1
RUBEN S. TORRES ELEMENTARY Deming 30.8 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 88029 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$24,554

Median Home Value

$91,400

Median Rent

$394/mo

Population

1,150

College Educated

14.7%

Homeownership

57.6%

Poverty Rate

37.7%

Median Age

38.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Columbus Elementary has a median household income of $24,554. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $91,400, with a median rent of $394/month. The area has a poverty rate of 37.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
T OR C ELEMENTARY T Or C, NM 2.8
WILL ROGERS ELEMENTARY Hobbs, NM 3.2
ARTS ACADEMY AT BELLA VISTA Clovis, NM 3.3
BLUFFVIEW ELEMENTARY Farmington, NM 3.3
NAVAJO ELEMENTARY Navajo, NM 3.4
RAMIREZ THOMAS ELEMENTARY Santa Fe, NM 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbus Elementary

What grades does Columbus Elementary serve?

Columbus Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Columbus Elementary?

Columbus Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 488 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbus Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Columbus Elementary is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Columbus Elementary rank in NM?

Columbus Elementary is ranked #858 out of 864 schools in NM.

What is Columbus Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbus Elementary has a composite rating of 3.0 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?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbus Elementary has 22.5% math proficiency and 26.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Columbus Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Columbus Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at Columbus 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
488
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Luna County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

DEMING
District Enrollment
5,232
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,958
District Rank
#13 of 13

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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