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Blue Ridge Elementary

Public Grades PK, KG-5

730^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 900 Missouri Elementary Schools

Better than 19% of Missouri elementary schools

Summary

Blue Ridge Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, Missouri, serving grades PK-5 with a total enrollment of 469 students. The school is part of the Columbia 93 School District, which is ranked 154 out of 367 districts in the state.

Blue Ridge Elementary has consistently struggled academically, ranking in the bottom 20% of Missouri elementary schools over the past 10 years. The school's proficiency rates on state assessments are well below the state and district averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 2024-2025, only 15.8% of 3rd graders were proficient in math, compared to 41.4% statewide and 40.5% in the Columbia 93 district. Blue Ridge Elementary also has very high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 24.3% to 34.4% over the past few years, which is significantly higher than the state and district averages.

When comparing Blue Ridge Elementary to other nearby schools in the Columbia 93 district, it consistently underperforms. For instance, John Ridgeway Elementary, located just 2.85 miles away, has significantly higher proficiency rates and a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger, while Blue Ridge Elementary has a 1-star rating. Despite the high poverty levels at Blue Ridge Elementary, the school's per-student spending is relatively high, suggesting that the issue may not be a lack of funding, but rather how the resources are being utilized to support student learning.

453

Students ?

12.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$15,518

Per pupil spending ?

72.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

3700 Woodland Dr
Columbia, MO 65202-2196

(573) 214-3580

District: Columbia 93

Students who attend Blue Ridge Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Oakland Middle School
High:	Muriel Battle High School

Racial breakdown:

African American:

35.8%

White:

26.5%

Hispanic:

19.6%

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Compare Blue Ridge Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 9th percentile in 2015 → 19th in 2025

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 10 percentile points since 2015

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Missouri average (23% vs 42% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (19th percentile)

!English Language Arts scores 20 pts below the Missouri average

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school23%

District avg44%

Missouri avg42%

730^th of 900

Missouri public elementary schools ?

Bottom 19%▲ up 10 pts since 2015

From bottom 9% (2015) to bottom 19% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Missouri Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

18^th of 21Elementary Schools in the Columbia 93

154^th of 367Columbia 93 among Missouri districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Missouri percentile	Rating
2025	20.9	730 of 900	18.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	13.6	794 of 906	12.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	14.5	778 of 898	13.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	9.3	833 of 908	8.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	10.3	816 of 901	9.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	6.4	999 of 1052	5.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	7.9	980 of 1045	6.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	3.1	1006 of 1032	2.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	7.0	819 of 865	5.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2015	12.2	965 of 1058	8.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2014	9.9	1012 of 1089	7.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	12.2	1029 of 1108	7.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	13.4	993 of 1085	8.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	21.9	951 of 1088	12.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	25.3	896 of 1066	15.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	23.9	900 of 1053	14.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	29.3	904 of 1084	16.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	22.8	952 of 1080	11.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	36.7	781 of 1074	27.3%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Missouri percentile	Rating
2025	30.5	144 of 190	24.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	18.9	174 of 191	8.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	27.0	150 of 185	18.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	37.0	122 of 184	33.7%	★★☆☆☆
2021	30.0	120 of 163	26.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	20.9	214 of 250	14.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Missouri percentile	Rating
2019	23.7	231 of 302	23.5%	★☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Missouri percentile	Rating
2025	23.1	60 of 65	7.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	23.2	52 of 54	3.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	27.3	41 of 50	18.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	37.1	36 of 52	30.8%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Missouri percentile	Rating
2023	26.7	32 of 40	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	41.9	21 of 45	53.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	32.6	30 of 42	28.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	15.6	113 of 120	5.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	8.6	101 of 105	3.8%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Missouri percentile	Rating
2025	25.4	520 of 638	18.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	19.7	553 of 625	11.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	20.0	536 of 611	12.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	21.5	455 of 532	14.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	25.5	471 of 574	17.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	13.3	857 of 907	5.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	15.2	820 of 887	7.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Missouri percentile	Rating
2024	16.6	592 of 668	11.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	21.0	565 of 673	16.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	4.9	668 of 675	1.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	11.4	641 of 691	7.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	6.5	906 of 917	1.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	30.1	657 of 898	26.8%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

African American (2025)24th percentile+5 vs school

Disabled (2019)24th percentile+18 vs school

Hispanic (2023)20th percentile+7 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)18th percentile~ school

White (2024)11th percentile~ school

English Language Learner (2025)8th percentile-11 vs school

By subject vs Missouri (2024-2025) ?

Science26%-17 vs state

English Language Arts24%-20 vs state

Mathematics22%-18 vs state

1.0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Monday, June 9, 2014

This school was once considered a, "diamond in the rough" and had really turned itself around within a five year span between 2006-2011 (ish). Unfortunately, the principal of many years apparently left to turn another school around. The new principal has done very little to show that she cares about this once thriving elementary school. One of my children were repeatedly harassed and while the teacher tried to help as best as she could, the principal did nothing to help the issue. The teachers don't seem as happy and energetic and neither do the kids since Mr. Majerus left and Ms. Palmer took over. She has dismissed a lot of tradition that made the school so special. Annual field trips were cut this year and for first time ever, the school carnival was cut this year quite unexpectedly and of course, Principal Palmer blamed it on a lack of PTA participation. This upset many of us parents who know the effort and time we have put into planning another great carnival for the kids. She wasn't willing to contribute time, money, or extra teacher and community participation. A few family friends and fellow parents have reported the principal smelling of alcohol at parent/teacher conferences and other school functions. She doesn't seem to get to know or show that she cares to know children and their families on a personal level at all, especially the families who are Hispanic, African American, and low-income. A few of the PTA members overheard her mention that maybe there would be higher parent participation amongst low-income and African American groups if Newport cigarettes and 40 oz. beer were served. I was appalled and I'm not even part of that targeted demographic! My child came home in tears after learning that the P.E teacher, secretary of nearly 30 years, and a BUNCH of other wonderful educators who have been part of some of our kids' history at the school are not planning to return in the fall. Many parents are confused about why or how so many teachers are leaving but deep down, it's pretty obvious what it's a result from. It is a very, very hard decision for my family to consider leaving this once incredible school but we can't take any more disappointment or allow this principal's poor leadership and judgement calls impact our youngest child's academic accomplishments. If I were voting based on the past principal, the school would have a 4 or 5 star rating but 1 star is the most I'm willing to give this school after the past two years. Please, go elsewhere so your children have a better school experience! Close Quote

Schools Near Blue Ridge Elementary

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				MAP Mathematics (2025)			MAP Science (2025)	MAP English Language Arts (2025)			Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MAP Mathematics 3rd Grade	MAP Mathematics 4th Grade	MAP Mathematics 5th Grade	MAP Science 5th Grade	MAP English Language Arts 3rd Grade	MAP English Language Arts 4th Grade	MAP English Language Arts 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Blue Ridge Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3700 Woodland Dr	Columbia	65202	Boone County	Columbia 93	No	No	No	Yes	(573) 214-3580	453	37	12.1	72.8%	120 (26.5%)	162 (35.8%)	89 (19.6%)	14 (3.1%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	65 (14.3%)	20.9	730^th of 900 public elementary schools	18.9%		13.6	794^th of 906 public elementary schools	12.4%	64	15.8		28.3	25.6	21.9	16.8	32.8	$15,518	$366	$15,152
Derby Ridge Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	4000 Derby Ridge Rd	Columbia	65202	Boone County	Columbia 93	No	No	No	Yes	(573) 214-3270	323	33	9.9	61.9%	77 (23.8%)	153 (47.4%)	37 (11.5%)	17 (5.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (12.1%)	13.2	789^th of 900 public elementary schools	12.3%		11.5	817^th of 906 public elementary schools	9.8%	28	16.8		3.5	13.7	22.9	15.6	29.7	$17,585	$635	$16,950
Alpha Hart Lewis	Public	PK, KG-5	5801 Arbor Pointe Pkwy	Columbia	65202	Boone County	Columbia 93	No	No	No	Yes	(573) 214-3200	468	40	11.7	100.0%	216 (46.2%)	113 (24.1%)	43 (9.2%)	22 (4.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	74 (15.8%)	21.2	727^th of 900 public elementary schools	19.2%		22.2	710^th of 906 public elementary schools	21.6%	17	24.3	29.5	18.2	18.2	25.3	30.0	27.6	$14,820	$573	$14,247
Eugene Field Center	Public	1-5	1010 Rangeline St	Columbia	65201	Boone County	Columbia 93	No	No	No	No	(573) 214-3750	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Parkade Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	111 Parkade Blvd	Columbia	65202	Boone County	Columbia 93	No	No	No	Yes	(573) 214-3630	359	32	11.3	57.9%	156 (43.5%)	119 (33.1%)	26 (7.2%)	20 (5.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (10.6%)	39.6	571^st of 900 public elementary schools	36.6%		34.4	616^th of 906 public elementary schools	32.0%	45	27.2	27.2	36.1	43.8	38.1	31.7	40.2	$17,473	$312	$17,161
Thomas Benton Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1410 Hinkson Ave	Columbia	65201	Boone County	Columbia 93	No	No	No	Yes	(573) 214-3610	232	20	11.7	100.0%	88 (37.9%)	96 (41.4%)	14 (6.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (14.7%)	28.3	675^th of 900 public elementary schools	25.0%		38.2	578^th of 906 public elementary schools	36.2%	97	14.4	16.7	31.8	51.1	14.3	30.6		$16,423	$546	$15,877
John Ridgeway Elementary	Public	K-5	107 E Sexton	Columbia	65203	Boone County	Columbia 93	No	No	No	No	(573) 214-3550	227	16	14.3	15.0%	157 (69.2%)	23 (10.1%)	7 (3.1%)	8 (3.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (14.1%)	79.4	162^nd of 900 public elementary schools	82.0%		79.4	154^th of 906 public elementary schools	83.0%	8	56.7	49.9	70.5		54.0			$16,345	$582	$15,763
Locust St Expressive Arts Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1208 Locust	Columbia	65201	Boone County	Columbia 93	No	No	No	No	(573) 214-3530	283	23	12.4	45.6%	142 (50.2%)	57 (20.1%)	29 (10.2%)	18 (6.4%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (12.7%)	62.5	336^th of 900 public elementary schools	62.7%		73.2	214^th of 906 public elementary schools	76.4%	122	39.5	60.9	25.1		61.6	51.1	41.5	$14,632	$339	$14,293
Ulysses S. Grant Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	10 E Broadway	Columbia	65203	Boone County	Columbia 93	No	No	No	No	(573) 214-3520	296	22	13.7	31.1%	183 (61.8%)	54 (18.2%)	18 (6.1%)	9 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (10.8%)	66.4	296^th of 900 public elementary schools	67.1%		55.5	392^nd of 906 public elementary schools	56.7%	96	42.0	51.9	44.1	55.7	47.3	50.0	48.9	$15,645	$429	$15,216
Shepard Blvd. Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2616 Shepard Blvd	Columbia	65201	Boone County	Columbia 93	No	No	No	Yes	(573) 214-3660	538	46	11.7	64.7%	161 (29.9%)	178 (33.1%)	80 (14.9%)	31 (5.8%)	2 (0.4%)	10 (1.9%)	76 (14.1%)	14.4	780^th of 900 public elementary schools	13.3%		24.1	698^th of 906 public elementary schools	23.0%	82	15.6	20.6	20.1	21.4	12.6	27.5	18.2	$13,103	$257	$12,846

Frequently Asked Questions about Blue Ridge Elementary

What schools do graduates of Blue Ridge Elementary attend?

Students who attend Blue Ridge Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Oakland Middle School
High : Muriel Battle High School

What district is Blue Ridge Elementary in?

Columbia 93

What is the racial makeup of Blue Ridge Elementary?

Students at Blue Ridge Elementary are 36% African American, 26% White, 20% Hispanic, 14% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

How many students attend Blue Ridge Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 453 students attended Blue Ridge Elementary.

Is Blue Ridge Elementary a good school?

Blue Ridge Elementary ranks in the bottom 18.9% of Missouri elementary schools.

Rate Blue Ridge Elementary!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.