Skip to main content

Below Average

#1670 of 2,105 schools in WI

Columbus Elementary

Elementary School · Appleton Area School District

913 N Oneida St, Appleton, WI 54911

Enrollment

132

Student-Teacher

11:1

Score

4.8

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Wisconsin schools

#1,670 of 2,105

In Appleton

#31 of 38

public schools

In district

#29 of 36

Appleton Area School District

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Columbus Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Columbus Elementary

4.8/10

Elementary School in Appleton · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Appleton Bilingual School

7.5/10

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

Appleview

Nearby

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

About Columbus Elementary

Columbus Elementary is a public elementary school in Appleton, WI, part of Appleton Area School District. Columbus Elementary serves approximately 132 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 11:1 student-teacher ratio. Columbus Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,670 of 2,105 schools in WI.

Structured state assessment records for Columbus Elementary show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.8 pts below district
  • This school 4.8 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.6
  • WI avg 6.8

What Parents Should Know

At 132 students, Columbus Elementary is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.32 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26% (2025 FORWARD)
Reading/ELA Proficiency15.1% (2025 FORWARD)
Math vs. State Avg-28.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-36.1 pts
Overall Proficiency21% (2025 FORWARD, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)27% (model expectation from 2025 FORWARD)
vs. Expected-6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,085
Chronic Absenteeism27.3%

Columbus Elementary — Students at Columbus Elementary score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 30.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 FORWARD)
ELA Proficiency 27.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
50.9% (2025 FORWARD)

Based on 34 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
37%
ELA
17%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
22%
2013
Math
32%
ELA
22%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2022
Math
21%
ELA
28.8%
2025
Math
26%
ELA
15.1%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How Columbus Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
21th percentile in WI
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.8/10
Below Average
Environment
5.9/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.3%

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

913 N Oneida St, Appleton, WI 54911

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbus Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fox River Academy (rated 8.2/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST FRANCIS XAVIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-MCD CAMPUS (rated 7.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Appleton Bilingual School (rated 7.5/10), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Appleton, see our Appleton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Appleton Bilingual School Appleton 0.0 mi 7.5
Appleview Appleton 0.3 mi
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Appleton 0.4 mi 6.2
Kaleidoscope Academy Appleton 0.4 mi 4.6
Valley New School Appleton 0.6 mi 3.8
Appleton Cooperative Educational Center Appleton 0.8 mi
Edison Elementary Appleton 0.7 mi 6.4
Franklin Elementary Appleton 0.9 mi 5.6
ST FRANCIS XAVIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL- MARQUETTE Appleton 0.9 mi 5.9
Appleton Community 4K Appleton 1.1 mi 3.7
ST FRANCIS XAVIER MIDDLE SCHOOL Appleton 1.1 mi 7.8
Ronald C Dunlap Elementary School Appleton 0.9 mi 7.0
Wilson Middle Appleton 1.0 mi 5.0
RIVERVIEW LUTHERAN SCHOOL Appleton 1.5 mi 5.9
Appleton Technical Academy Appleton 1.1 mi 6.0
West High Appleton 1.1 mi 3.7
Renaissance School Appleton 1.1 mi 5.5
ST FRANCIS XAVIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-MCD CAMPUS Appleton 1.2 mi 7.7
Einstein Middle Appleton 1.5 mi 6.0
Fox River Academy Appleton 1.4 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 54911 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,747

Median Home Value

$199,100

Median Rent

$1,010/mo

Population

25,598

College Educated

35%

Homeownership

59.5%

Avg Commute

17.5 min

Poverty Rate

8.5%

Median Age

36.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Chippewa Falls, WI 4.8
CHRIST-ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL West Salem, WI 4.8
CROWN OF LIFE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hubertus, WI 4.8
MESSIAH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Eau Claire, WI 4.8
Grant Elementary Kenosha, WI 4.7
Menominee Tribal School Neopit, WI 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbus Elementary

What grades does Columbus Elementary serve?

Columbus Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Columbus Elementary?

Columbus Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 132 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbus Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Columbus Elementary is 11:1. 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 WI?

Columbus Elementary ranks #1,670 of 2,105 schools in WI.

What is Columbus Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbus Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Columbus Elementary has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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?

76.5% 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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
84 Very Walkable
Bike Score
72 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
132
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Outagamie County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.3%

District

Appleton Area School District
District Enrollment
15,230
Schools in District
38
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,085
District Rank
#29 of 36

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.