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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Columbus Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 6,313 students in Columbus, MS (there are 5 private schools, serving 1,150 private students). 86% of all K-12 students in Columbus, MS are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Columbus, MS are New Hope High School, New Hope Elementary School and New Hope Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbus, MS public schools have an average math proficiency score of 41% (versus the Mississippi public school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 42% statewide average). Schools in Columbus have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Mississippi public schools.
Minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Mississippi public school average of 59% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Columbus, MS (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
New Hope High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2920 New Hope Road
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 244-4701
Gr: 9-12 | 787 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #22.
New Hope Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
199 Enlow Road
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 244-4760
Gr: PK-5 | 1,191 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #33.
New Hope Middle School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3419 New Hope Rd
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 244-4740
Gr: 6-8 | 604 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #44.
West Lowndes Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1000 Gilmer Wilburn Road
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 244-5050
Gr: PK-6 | 276 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #5 - 75. - 7.
Cook Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2217 7th Street N
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 241-7180
Gr: PK-5 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #5 - 75. - 7.
Franklin Academy
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
501 3rd Avenue N
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 241-7150
Gr: PK-5 | 231 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #5 - 75. - 7.
Sale Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
520 Warpath Road
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 241-7260
Gr: PK-5 | 290 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #88.
West Lowndes High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
644 South Frontage Road
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 244-5070
Gr: 7-12 | 206 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #99.
Columbus High School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
215 Hemlock St
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 241-7200
Gr: 9-13 | 863 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1010.
Stokes Beard Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
311 Martin Luther King Dr
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 241-7270
Gr: PK-5 | 369 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1111.
Fairview Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
225 Airline Road
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 241-7140
Gr: PK-5 | 244 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1212.
Columbus Middle School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
175 Hwy 373
Columbus, MS 39705
(662) 241-7300
Gr: 6-8 | 597 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
Cmsd Alternative School
Alternative School
1425 10th Ave North
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 241-7250
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Lowndes Co Voc Complex
Vocational School
1085 Lehmberg Road
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 244-5038
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Lowndes County Alternative School
Alternative School
3419 New Hope Road
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 244-5060
Gr: PK-12
Rank: n/an/a
Mckellar Vocational Center
Vocational School
810 N Browder Street
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 241-7290
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Middle School For Math And Science
Magnet School
5th Ave South And Mscw Dr
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 329-7672
Gr: 11-12 | 240 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 45%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Columbus, MS?
The top-ranked public schools in Columbus, MS include New Hope High School, New Hope Elementary School and New Hope Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Columbus?
17 public schools are located in Columbus.
What percentage of students in Columbus go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in Columbus are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Columbus?
Columbus public schools minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Mississippi public schools average of 59% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Columbus are often viewed compared to one another?

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