Top 10 Best Columbia Public Schools (2024-25)

For the 2024-25 school year, there are 38 public schools serving 18,811 students in Columbia, MO (there are 21 private schools, serving 9,883 private students). 66% of all K-12 students in Columbia, MO are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
The top ranked public schools in Columbia, MO are Mill Creek Elementary School, Midway Heights Elementary School and Beulah Ralph Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbia, MO public schools have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the Missouri public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 43% statewide average). Schools in Columbia have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Missouri public schools.
Minority enrollment is 45% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Missouri public school average of 31% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Columbia, MO (2024-25)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Mill Creek Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2200 Nifong Blvd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3280
Grades: PK-5
| 593 students
Rank: #22.
Midway Heights Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
8130 W Hwy 40
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3540
Grades: PK-5
| 261 students
Rank: #33.
Beulah Ralph Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5801 S. Highway Kk
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3400
Grades: K-5
| 678 students
Rank: #44.
John Warner Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5550 Sinclair Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3400
Grades: 6-8
| 579 students
Rank: #55.
Fairview Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
909 Fairview Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3590
Grades: PK-5
| 468 students
Rank: #66.
John Ridgeway Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
107 E Sexton
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3550
Grades: K-5
| 227 students
Rank: #77.
Jefferson Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
713 Rogers St
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 214-3210
Grades: 6-8
| 625 students
Rank: #88.
Delmar A Cobble School
Special Education School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
108 W Craig St
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 442-6482
Grades: K-12
| 11 students
Rank: #99.
Ann Hawkins Gentry Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4200 Bethel St
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3240
Grades: 6-8
| 719 students
Rank: #1010.
Mary Paxton Keeley Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
201 Park Deville
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3570
Grades: PK-5
| 634 students
Rank: #1111.
Ulysses S. Grant Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
10 E Broadway
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3520
Grades: PK-5
| 327 students
Rank: #1212.
Smithton Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3600 W Worley
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3260
Grades: 6-8
| 521 students
Rank: #1313.
Locust St Expressive Arts Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1208 Locust
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 214-3530
Grades: PK-5
| 290 students
Rank: #1414.
Russell Blvd. Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1800 W Rollins Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3650
Grades: PK-5
| 460 students
Rank: #1515.
Rock Bridge Sr. High School
Magnet School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4303 S Providence Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3100
Grades: 9-12
| 2,032 students
Rank: #1616.
Rock Bridge Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
5151 S Hwy 163
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3290
Grades: PK-5
| 589 students
Rank: #1717.
David H. Hickman High School
Magnet School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1104 N Providence Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3000
Grades: 9-12
| 2,044 students
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Cedar Ridge Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2345 Howell Mountain Drive
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 214-3880
Grades: K-5
| 472 students
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Two Mile Prairie Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
5450 N Hwy Z
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3560
Grades: K-5
| 152 students
Rank: #2020.
West Blvd. Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
319 West Blvd North
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3670
Grades: PK-5
| 337 students
Rank: #2121.
West Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
401 Clinkscales Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3230
Grades: 6-8
| 504 students
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Muriel W. Battle High School
Magnet School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
7575 St. Charles Road
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3300
Grades: 9-12
| 1,581 students
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Parkade Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
111 Parkade Blvd
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3630
Grades: PK-5
| 364 students
Rank: #2424.
Shepard Blvd. Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2616 Shepard Blvd
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 214-3660
Grades: PK-5
| 516 students
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
New Haven Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3301 New Haven Rd
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 214-3640
Grades: PK-5
| 237 students
Rank: #25 - 2625. - 26.
Thomas Benton Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1410 Hinkson Ave
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 214-3610
Grades: PK-5
| 216 students
Rank: #2727.
Oakland Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3405 Oakland Pl
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3220
Grades: 6-8
| 544 students
Rank: #2828.
Eliot Battle Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2600 Battle Avenue
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3790
Grades: K-5
| 384 students
Rank: #2929.
John B. Lange Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2201 E Smiley Ln
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3250
Grades: 6-8
| 529 students
Rank: #3030.
Derby Ridge Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4000 Derby Ridge Rd
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3270
Grades: PK-5
| 395 students
Rank: #3131.
Frederick Douglass High School
Alternative School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
310 N. Providence Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3680
Grades: PK-12
| 199 students
Rank: #3232.
Alpha Hart Lewis
Magnet School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
5801 Arbor Pointe Pkwy
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3200
Grades: PK-5
| 486 students
Rank: #3333.
Blue Ridge Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3700 Woodland Dr
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3580
Grades: PK-5
| 419 students
Rank: n/an/a
Center For Early Lrning-north
Magnet School
2201 E. Smiley Lane
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3400
Grades: PK
| 398 students
Rank: n/an/a
Columbia Area Career Center
Vocational School
Magnet School
4203 S Providence Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3800
Grades: 10-12
| n/a students
Show 3 more public schools in Columbia, MO (out of 38 total schools)
Loading...
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Columbia, Missouri

Columbia, Missouri Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
Alpha School (Closed 2011)
Alternative School
1250 Brown School Rd
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 449-2953
Grades: 5-12
| n/a students
Delmar A Cobble (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
108 West Craig
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 442-6482
Grades: Inquire with school
| 33 students
1010 Rangeline St
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 214-3620
Grades: PK-5
| n/a students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in Columbia, MO?
The top ranked public schools in Columbia, MO include Mill Creek Elementary School, Midway Heights Elementary School and Beulah Ralph Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Columbia?
38 public schools are located in Columbia.
What percentage of students in Columbia go to public school?
66% of all K-12 students in Columbia are educated in public schools (compared to the MO state average of 88%).
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia?
Columbia public schools minority enrollment is 45% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Missouri public schools average of 31% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Columbia are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

Drug Testing Teachers: Testing Positive or Negative?
Drug Testing Teachers: Testing Positive or Negative?
This article examines the ongoing debate about drug testing for teachers in public schools. It discusses the rationale behind such policies, privacy concerns, cost implications, and the relatively low prevalence of drug use among educators. The piece also explores future considerations for drug testing policies in educational settings.
Head in the Clouds: Why Public Schools are Embracing Cloud Computing
Head in the Clouds: Why Public Schools are Embracing Cloud Computing
Explore how public schools are integrating cloud computing into their educational frameworks. Understand the advantages such as enhanced collaboration, cost savings, and accessibility, as well as the challenges schools face in adopting this technology.
Understanding Rubrics
September 27, 2024
Understanding Rubrics
This article explores the fundamental principles of rubrics in education, focusing on their role as assessment tools. It breaks down the key components of rubrics, including criteria, performance levels, and descriptors. The piece also delves into the two main types of rubrics - holistic and analytic - providing authoritative definitions and explaining their unique applications in educational settings.