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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Columbia Public Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 18 public preschools serving 7,418 students in Columbia, MO.
The top-ranked public preschools in Columbia, MO are Mill Creek Elementary School, Midway Heights Elementary School and Fairview Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbia, MO public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 35% (versus the Missouri public pre school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 37% statewide average). Pre schools in Columbia have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Missouri public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Missouri public preschool average of 36% (majority Black).

Best Public Preschools in Columbia, MO (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #1515.
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: #1616.
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: #1717.
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: 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%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public preschools in Columbia, MO?
The top-ranked public preschools in Columbia, MO include Mill Creek Elementary School, Midway Heights Elementary School and Fairview Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Columbia?
18 public preschools are located in Columbia.
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia?
Columbia public preschools minority enrollment is 51% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Missouri public preschools average of 36% (majority Black).
Which public preschools in Columbia are often viewed compared to one another?

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