- Enrollment
- 178
- Students per teacher
- 16.2:1
- Resource Index
- 35/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Columbus, MT
Columbus Elem School
Federal NCES profile for Columbus Elem School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 45/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 300719000204
👥 S:T ratio 44
🌟 Gifted program 30
🎓 Counselors 44
📋 Attendance 62
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Columbus Elem School earns 45/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the Montana median.
- #1 of 3
- public schools in Columbus · Resource Index
- 45
- Resource Index · Typical
- 13.9:1
- students per teacher
- 278
- students enrolled
Columbus Elem School has class sizes near the Montana median. Computed live against every Montana school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Columbus Elem School ranks #1 of 3 public schools in Columbus, MT.
School address
District: Columbus Elem · Montana
NCES ID 300719000204 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+16 students YoY
Columbus Elem School grew from 304 students in 2022-23 to 320 in 2023-24 (+5.3%).
Teacher FTE held 20.0 → 20.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+16 students YoY 300719000204 · Columbus, MT Other · SMALL · TRAD
278 enr · 13.9:1 · RII 45
Nearest enrollment peer: Columbus Middle School (178 students)
Columbus Elem School grew from 304 students in 2022-23 to 320 in 2023-24 (+5.3%). Teacher FTE held 20.0 → 20.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Montana schools → · Find another →
How Columbus Elem School compares
Columbus Elem School is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Montana and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Montana | Montana avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 13.9:1 | ▲ 18% | 11.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Enrollment | 278 | top 21% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
13.9:1
Leaner classes than 58% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
278
Bigger than 29% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Staffing depth
13.9:1
students per teacher
- 18% above state mean
Top 66% in Montana - lower ratio than 34% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
15.1%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 15-20% range, nearing the "high" absenteeism threshold.
Funding equity
$11,989
per pupil, district-wide
- below Montana avg of $19,859
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 278 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
2
in-school suspensions + 2 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.7 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 1.4 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 89.2%
Hispanic or Latino 4.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native 2.5%
African American 1.4%
Two or More 1.4%
Asian 0.7%
Largest group: White at 89.2% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 20.1/100
Simpson diversity index - at 20.1, Columbus Elem School is less mixed than the Montana school average of 23.6.
Programs
District finance for Columbus Elem reports $11,989 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Columbus Elem School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus Middle School | Smaller | No free-lunch data | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Columbus Elem School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~278 students)
Frequently asked questions about Columbus Elem School
How many students attend Columbus Elem School?
Columbus Elem School has 278 students enrolled. It is a public school in Columbus, MT. CCD year-over-year: 304 (2022-23) → 320 (2023-24), up 16.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbus Elem School?
The student-teacher ratio at Columbus Elem School is 13.9:1, which is 18% higher than the Montana average of 11.8:1 and 11% lower than the national average of 15.7:1.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Columbus Elem School?
The largest demographic group at Columbus Elem School is White at 89.2% of enrollment, in Columbus, MT.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Columbus Elem School?
Columbus Elem School has a Resource Investment Index of 45/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Columbus Elem School rank among public schools in Columbus?
By Resource Investment Index, Columbus Elem School ranks #1 of 3 public schools in Columbus, MT. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking.
What other schools are in Columbus Elem?
Besides Columbus Elem School, Columbus Elem also operates Columbus Middle School (178 students). See the Columbus Elem district page for the complete list.