Columbus Municipal School District

2630 Mcarthur Drive
Columbus, MS 39705
(District boundaries shown in map)
2/
10
Bottom 50%
For the 2026 school year, there are 5 public preschools serving 1,549 students in Columbus Municipal School District. This district's average pre testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public pre schools in Mississippi.
Public Preschools in Columbus Municipal School District have an average math proficiency score of 32% (versus the Mississippi public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 25% (versus the 44% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Mississippi public preschool average of 57% (majority Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (MS)
# Schools
9 Schools
280 Schools
# Students
3,009 Students
130,289 Students
# Teachers
231 Teachers
8,711 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Columbus Municipal School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 147 school districts in Mississippi (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 81% has increased from 80% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (MS)
#131 out of 148 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
25%
52%
22%
42%
36%
55%
81%
89%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.14
0.63
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
1%
% Hispanic
3%
7%
% Black
92%
43%
% White
2%
43%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
6%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $14,091 is higher than the state median of $12,408. The school district revenue/student has grown by 14% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,528 is higher than the state median of $12,276. The school district spending/student has grown by 13% over four school years.
This School District
This State (MS)
Total Revenue
$42 MM
$5,371 MM
Spending
$41 MM
$5,314 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,091
$12,408
Spending / Student
$13,528
$12,276

Best Columbus Municipal School District Public Preschools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
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: #1 - 31. - 3.
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: #1 - 31. - 3.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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%

Recent Articles

How Public Schools Train Staff Each Year
How Public Schools Train Staff Each Year
Learn how public schools train staff each year through professional development, safety training, technology instruction, and ongoing educational support.
What Substitute Teachers Experience in Public Schools
What Substitute Teachers Experience in Public Schools
Discover what substitute teachers experience in public schools, including daily responsibilities, challenges, rewards, and their role in student success.
How Teachers Collaborate Across Departments in Public Schools
How Teachers Collaborate Across Departments in Public Schools
Learn how teachers collaborate across departments to improve student outcomes, strengthen instruction, and prepare students for real-world success.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 9 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 3,009 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 97%
  • : 81% (Btm 50% in MS)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 25% (Btm 50%)
  • : 22% (Btm 50%)
  • : 36% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MS Dept. of Education

Quick Links