Columbus Elem

Columbus, Montana — 2 schools

469
Total Enrollment
2
Schools
$14,080
Per-Pupil Spending
Other, Middle
School Types

District-Level NCES Analysis

Columbus Elem operates 2 public schools serving 469 students, placing it among the smaller districts in Montana. The school portfolio breaks down into 1 other, 1 middle schools, giving families a clear picture of grade-band coverage before they move, rent, or enrol. Aggregated across those campuses, enrollment totals 456 pupils using the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2022-23 release, and the district is geographically located in Stillwater County County.

Per-pupil expenditure runs $14,080 according to the NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey, which aggregates every revenue and spending line reported under federal accounting standards. The funding mix is 55.5% local, 33.1% state, and 11.3% federal — a breakdown that matters because districts leaning heavily on local revenue are more exposed to property-tax swings, while higher federal shares typically track Title I concentration. Average teacher compensation clocks in at $68,753 per NCES F-33, a signal of the district's ability to recruit and retain staff against neighbouring districts. The district's equity score — 24/100, ranked #113 of 141 in Montana against a state average of 38 — measures how evenly funding reaches schools within its boundaries.

a 317:1 student-counselor ratio, above the 250:1 ASCA recommendation, and 18.2% chronic absenteeism from the 2021-22 Civil Rights Data Collection. Demographically, the student body averages 90.1% White, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 0.7% African American across the district's schools.

Columbus Elem School accounts for 61.0% of all Columbus Elem student enrollment

That concentration — well above the 8.4% national median for largest-entity share — means Columbus Elem-wide averages can mask substantial variation outside the dominant entity. Grade band: other. A single dominant campus often anchors a district's program offerings and staffing patterns; the share helps explain why district-wide averages may not reflect the typical neighbourhood-school experience. When one entity dominates a region's footprint, its programmatic and budget decisions effectively set policy for a majority of the affected population.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

Columbus Elem student-counselor ratio is 317:1 — near the typical range (US average ~408) — within the typical range for U.S. public districts

student-counselor ratio is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: the ratio counts FTE counselors against total enrollment — districts that contract intervention or social-emotional staff outside the counselor classification may be under-counted Variation between sub-units within Columbus Elem is typically wider than the Columbus Elem-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection NCES Civil Rights Data Collection

Columbus Elem chronic absenteeism rate is 18.2% — near the typical range (US average ~28) — aligned with the national post-pandemic baseline of roughly 28% chronic absenteeism

chronic absenteeism rate is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: a student is chronically absent if they miss ≥10% of enrolled days for any reason — illness, family obligations, or disengagement Variation between sub-units within Columbus Elem is typically wider than the Columbus Elem-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection 2021-22 NCES Civil Rights Data Collection 2021-22

Where does the funding come from?

11.3%
Federal
33.1%
State
55.5%
Local

Funding Equity

24
Equity Score
113 / 141
State Rank
38
State Average

This district scores below average on funding equity. High reliance on local revenue or lower spending may contribute.

Local Rent Costs

Fair Market Rents in Stillwater County county, where this district is located.

$884
Studio/mo
$958
1 BR/mo
$1,257
2 BR/mo
$1,748
3 BR/mo
$2,109
4 BR/mo

Average Teacher Salary

$68,753
Average annual teacher salary

Source: NCES CCD F-33 (Finance Survey).

Teacher salary data from NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey.

Student Demographics

Average demographic composition across 2 schools in Columbus Elem.

White 90.1%
Hispanic or Latino 5.2%
African American 0.7%
Asian 0.6%
Multiracial 1.8%
Other 1.6%

Source: NCES CCD School Membership 2024-25.

Programs & Resources

317:1
Student-Counselor Ratio
18.2%
Chronically Absent

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) 2021-22.

Schools in Columbus Elem

School Enrollment
Columbus Elem School
278
Columbus Middle School
178

Nearby Districts in Montana

Top districts in the same state — compare side-by-side for enrollment, spending, and demographics.

Billings Elem
10,988 students · 28 schools · $13,071/pupil
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Great Falls Elem
7,032 students · 17 schools · $13,469/pupil
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Billings H S
5,610 students · 3 schools · $12,352/pupil
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Missoula Elem
5,280 students · 12 schools · $13,532/pupil
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Helena Elem
5,225 students · 13 schools · $14,602/pupil
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Compare Columbus Elem

See how this district compares to others in enrollment, spending, demographics, and academic resources.

Compare vs Billings Elem →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools are in Columbus Elem?

Columbus Elem has 2 schools, including 1 other, 1 middle. Total enrollment is 469 students.

How much does Columbus Elem spend per student?

Columbus Elem spends $14,080 per student. The district has an equity score of 24/100, ranking #113 in Montana.

What is the average teacher salary in Columbus Elem?

The average teacher salary in Columbus Elem is $68,753 per year, according to the NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey.

What is the average rent near Columbus Elem?

The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Stillwater County County is $N/A/month (2026). This affects housing affordability for families in the district.

What is the demographic composition of Columbus Elem?

Columbus Elem students are 90.1% White, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 0.7% African American, 0.6% Asian, averaged across 2 schools. Source: NCES CCD Membership 2024-25.

What is the equity score for Columbus Elem?

Columbus Elem has an equity score of 24/100, ranking #113 out of 141 districts in Montana. This score measures resource distribution fairness across schools in the district.

Federal data Last updated 2026 Free public data

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Federal

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