Best Public Schools in Columbus, TX

The Columbus Independent School District (Isd) in Columbus, Texas, serves 1,659 students across four schools—one elementary, one middle, and two high schools—in a community where about 63% of students face economic disadvantage, as indicated by free/reduced lunch rates.

Columbus Elementary stands out as the district’s top performer, earning a 3-star rating and showing consistent improvement in its state ranking over recent years. It excels in early-grade math and 5th-grade science, outperforming state averages in those subjects. In contrast, Columbus High School serves as the district’s academic anchor, with a strong 96.7% graduation rate and low 0.7% dropout rate, though its test scores generally trail state averages except in English II Reading. Columbus J H (middle school) shows notable weaknesses in 8th-grade math and social studies, with proficiency gaps of 14 and 13 points below the state, respectively. The alternative Columbus Crossing High School faces severe challenges, with a 0-star rating, 62.5% graduation rate, and 0% proficiency in core subjects like Algebra I, despite spending $28,823 per student—more than double any other campus.

A key takeaway is the spending paradox: Columbus Crossing High School receives the highest per-student funding yet produces the worst outcomes, likely due to intensive intervention for a high-need population. Meanwhile, Columbus Elementary achieves the best results with the lowest spending ($9,551 per student). The district’s overall 2-star rating masks this split: the main high school performs well, while the alternative school drags down averages. Parents should note that Columbus Elementary offers a bright spot in science, and Columbus High School provides a solid path to graduation, but the middle school’s math and social studies gaps warrant attention.