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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Columbia Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 39 public schools serving 18,648 students in Columbia, MO (there are 21 private schools, serving 9,730 private students). 65% 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 John Warner Middle School, Mill Creek Elementary School and Midway Heights 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 36% (versus the Missouri public school average of 41%), 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 48% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Missouri public school average of 33% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Columbia, MO (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
John Warner Middle School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
5550 Sinclair Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3400
Gr: 6-8 | 579 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #22.
Mill Creek Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2200 Nifong Blvd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3280
Gr: PK-5 | 583 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #33.
Midway Heights Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
8130 W Hwy 40
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3540
Gr: PK-5 | 251 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #44.
Beulah Ralph Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5801 S. Highway Kk
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3400
Gr: K-5 | 656 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #55.
Fairview Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
909 Fairview Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3590
Gr: PK-5 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #66.
John Ridgeway Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
107 E Sexton
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3550
Gr: K-5 | 227 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #77.
Jefferson Middle School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
713 Rogers St
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 214-3210
Gr: 6-8 | 593 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #88.
Russell Blvd. Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1800 W Rollins Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3650
Gr: PK-5 | 500 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #99.
Ann Hawkins Gentry Mid. School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4200 Bethel St
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3240
Gr: 6-8 | 736 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Delmar A Cobble School
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
108 W Craig St
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 442-6482
Gr: K-12 | 8 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Mary Paxton Keeley Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
201 Park Deville
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3570
Gr: PK-5 | 619 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1212.
Ulysses S. Grant Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
10 E Broadway
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3520
Gr: PK-5 | 296 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #1313.
Two Mile Prairie Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
5450 N Hwy Z
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3560
Gr: K-5 | 125 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1414.
Smithton Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3600 W Worley
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3260
Gr: 6-8 | 605 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #1515.
Rock Bridge Sr. High School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4303 S Providence Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3100
Gr: 9-12 | 1,997 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1616.
David H. Hickman High School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1104 N Providence Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3000
Gr: 9-12 | 2,007 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1717.
Locust St Expressive Arts Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1208 Locust
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 214-3530
Gr: PK-5 | 283 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1818.
Rock Bridge Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
5151 S Hwy 163
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3290
Gr: PK-5 | 556 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #1919.
Cedar Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2345 Howell Mountain Drive
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 214-3880
Gr: PK-5 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #2020.
New Haven Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
3301 New Haven Rd
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 214-3640
Gr: PK-5 | 248 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #2121.
Parkade Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
111 Parkade Blvd
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3630
Gr: PK-5 | 359 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
West Blvd. Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
319 West Blvd North
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3670
Gr: PK-5 | 327 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
West Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
401 Clinkscales Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3230
Gr: 6-8 | 553 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #2424.
Muriel Battle High School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
7575 St. Charles Road
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3300
Gr: 9-12 | 1,492 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #2525.
Shepard Blvd. Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2616 Shepard Blvd
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 214-3660
Gr: PK-5 | 538 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #2626.
Thomas Benton Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1410 Hinkson Ave
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 214-3610
Gr: PK-5 | 232 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #2727.
Oakland Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3405 Oakland Pl
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3220
Gr: 6-8 | 589 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #2828.
John B. Lange Middle School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2201 E Smiley Ln
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3250
Gr: 6-8 | 510 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #2929.
Blue Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3700 Woodland Dr
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3580
Gr: PK-5 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #3030.
Eliot Battle Elementary School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2600 Battle Avenue
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3790
Gr: K-5 | 344 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #3131.
Alpha Hart Lewis
(Math: 13% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
5801 Arbor Pointe Pkwy
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3200
Gr: PK-5 | 468 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #3232.
Derby Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4000 Derby Ridge Rd
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3270
Gr: PK-5 | 323 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #3333.
Frederick Douglass High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
310 N. Providence Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3680
Gr: 9-12 | 185 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: n/an/a
Center For Early Lrning-north
2201 E. Smiley Lane
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3400
Gr: PK | 458 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: n/an/a
Columbia Area Career Center
Vocational School
4203 S Providence Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 214-3800
Gr: 10-12
Show 4 more public schools in Columbia, MO (out of 39 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Columbia, MO?
The top-ranked public schools in Columbia, MO include John Warner Middle School, Mill Creek Elementary School and Midway Heights Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Columbia?
39 public schools are located in Columbia.
What percentage of students in Columbia go to public school?
65% 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 48% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Missouri public schools average of 33% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Columbia are often viewed compared to one another?

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