For the 2025 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 4,983 students in Columbus, NE (there are , serving 1,351 private students). 79% of all K-12 students in Columbus, NE are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
The top ranked public schools in Columbus, NE are Shell Creek Elementary School, Lakeview High School and Lakeview Junior High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbus, NE public schools have an average math proficiency score of 41% (versus the Nebraska public school average of 46%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Columbus have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Nebraska public schools.
Minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public school average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Columbus, NE (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Shell Creek Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
16786 280th St
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-8008
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-8008
Grades: PK-6
| 346 students
Rank: #22.
Lakeview High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3744 83rd St
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-8518
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-8518
Grades: 9-12
| 326 students
Rank: #33.
Lakeview Junior High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3744 83rd Street
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-8518
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-8518
Grades: 7-8
| 136 students
Rank: #44.
Richland Elementary School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
595 Road 3
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-6900
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-6900
Grades: 3-5
| 30 students
Rank: #55.
Columbus High School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3434 Discoverer Drive
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7050
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7050
Grades: 9-12
| 1,295 students
Rank: #66.
Centennial Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
500 Centennial St
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-8180
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-8180
Grades: PK-4
| 347 students
Rank: #77.
West Park Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4100 Adamy St
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7075
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7075
Grades: PK-4
| 231 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Lost Creek Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3772 33rd Ave
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7045
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7045
Grades: PK-4
| 313 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
North Park Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2200 31st St
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7070
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7070
Grades: PK-4
| 299 students
Rank: #1010.
Columbus Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2200 26th St
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7060
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7060
Grades: 5-8
| 1,207 students
Rank: #1111.
Emerson Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2410 20th St
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7030
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7030
Grades: PK-4
| 275 students
Rank: n/an/a
Esu 7 Center
Alternative School
2563 44th Ave
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-0815
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-0815
Grades: 8-11
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Esu 7 Learning Academy
Alternative School
2567 44th Ave
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-0815
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-0815
Grades: PK-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
2410 16th Street
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7000
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7000
Grades: PK
| 178 students
Rank: n/an/a
2508 27th Street
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7000
Columbus, NE 68602
(402) 563-7000
Grades: PK
| n/a students
Columbus, Nebraska Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
3020 18th St
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-4949
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-4949
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Columbus Early Learning Center (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
2657 44th Ave
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-0815
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-0815
Grades: PK-12
| 7 students
860 E 29th St
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-4540
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 564-4540
Grades: PK-8
| 161 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Columbus, NE?
The top ranked public schools in Columbus, NE include Shell Creek Elementary School, Lakeview High School and Lakeview Junior High School.
How many public schools are located in Columbus?
15 public schools are located in Columbus.
What percentage of students in Columbus go to public school?
79% of all K-12 students in Columbus are educated in public schools (compared to the NE state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Columbus?
Columbus public schools minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Nebraska public schools average of 38% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Columbus are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Columbus include: Emerson Elementary School vs. North Park Elementary School, Lost Creek Elementary School vs. North Park Elementary School, North Park Elementary School vs. Emerson Elementary School
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
