Columbus Elementary School

Summary:

Columbus Elementary School is a public elementary school serving grades PK-4 in Carteret, New Jersey, with 578 students. The school is part of the Carteret Public School District, which is ranked 499 out of 613 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

According to the data, Columbus Elementary School consistently ranks in the bottom quarter of New Jersey elementary schools, with academic performance significantly below the state and district averages across all grade levels and subjects. For example, in 2023-2024, only 24.2% of 3rd graders and 27.5% of 4th graders were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state averages of 43.6% and 50.8%, respectively. The school's mathematics proficiency rates are even lower, with only 20.5% of 3rd graders and 26.8% of 4th graders meeting or exceeding standards, compared to the state averages of 47.6% and 45%. The school also struggles with high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 16.6% to 21.4% over the past few years, which is significantly higher than the state average.

Interestingly, the nearby Private Nicholas Minue Elementary School, which is also part of the Carteret Public School District, consistently outperforms Columbus Elementary School across academic measures, with higher proficiency rates and a higher overall ranking. Other nearby schools, such as Nathan Hale Elementary School (also in Carteret) and Mawbey Street Elementary School (in Woodbridge), also show stronger academic performance compared to Columbus Elementary School.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-4

 1 Carteret Avenue
       Carteret, NJ  07008


(732) 541-8960

District: Carteret Public School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
1132nd of 1,338 New Jersey Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $3,895 Help


Students who attend Columbus Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Carteret Middle School
High:    Carteret High School

Student/teacher ratio:  11.4 Help
Number of students:  625

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
45.9%
African American:
26.1%
Asian:
14.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  72.6% Help


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 Compare Columbus Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Columbus Elementary School ranks worse than 84.6% of elementary schools in New Jersey. It also ranks last among 3 ranked elementary schools in the Carteret Public School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 15.93. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Columbus Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the Carteret Public School District. Student population at Columbus Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (45.9%), African American (26.1%), Asian (14.6%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 72.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Columbus Elementary School is 11.4. 1 elementary schools in the Carteret Public School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Columbus Elementary School employs 54.7 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Columbus Elementary School is $3,895, which is the lowest among 3 elementary schools in the Carteret Public School District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Columbus Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Columbus Elementary School 1132nd of 1338 New Jersey public elementary schools. (See Columbus Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Carteret Public School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Carteret Public School District 499th of 613 New Jersey school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Columbus Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Columbus Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 28.75 921st 1204 23.5%
2004 16.36 1127th 1298 13.2%
2005 28.16 1055th 1303 19.0%
2006 45.56 892nd 1314 32.1%
2007 38.10 1004th 1329 24.5%
2008 28.87 1083rd 1338 19.1%
2009 25.06 1109th 1346 17.6%
2010 28.34 1090th 1354 19.5%
2011 29.33 1068th 1360 21.5%
2012 30.41 1057th 1363 22.5%
2013 27.09 1079th 1367 21.1%
2014 28.92 1061st 1363 22.2%
2015 18.20 1134th 1357 16.4%
2016 36.34 894th 1346 33.6%
2017 22.60 1072nd 1352 20.7%
2018 20.44 1113th 1353 17.7%
2019 14.57 1179th 1360 13.3%
2021 20.90 1013th 1317 23.1%
2022 17.89 1105th 1345 17.8%
2023 19.66 1095th 1342 18.4%
2024 15.93 1132nd 1338 15.4%
See the entire list of New Jersey Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Columbus Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 44.03 229th 434 47.2%
2019 46.94 207th 463 55.3%
2021 41.54 190th 411 53.8%
2022 47.13 201st 489 58.9%
2023 35.60 297th 499 40.5%
2024 52.24 183rd 559 67.3%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Columbus Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 13.97 903rd 1001 9.8%
2019 17.74 844th 1007 16.2%
2021 31.72 554th 868 36.2%
2022 30.43 609th 949 35.8%
2023 17.79 800th 958 16.5%
2024 14.73 899th 989 9.1%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Columbus Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 40.68 601st 942 36.2%
2019 30.87 659th 948 30.5%
2021 51.61 331st 839 60.5%
2022 30.45 605th 863 29.9%
2023 38.93 530th 910 41.8%
2024 38.59 559th 939 40.5%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Columbus Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 29.14 992nd 1333 25.6%
2019 17.38 1121st 1331 15.8%
2021 27.46 901st 1290 30.2%
2022 19.59 1058th 1326 20.2%
2023 29.08 932nd 1318 29.3%
2024 17.55 1082nd 1317 17.8%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Columbus Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 14.99 1143rd 1334 14.3%
2019 14.35 1152nd 1335 13.7%
2021 18.00 1039th 1297 19.9%
2022 18.41 1060th 1324 19.9%
2023 14.16 1131st 1315 14.0%
2024 16.36 1092nd 1313 16.8%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Columbus Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 5.02 323rd 370 12.7%
2019 2.92 328th 370 11.4%
2021 5.98 323rd 339 4.7%
2022 5.59 310th 348 10.9%
2023 13.32 295th 346 14.7%
2024 3.86 310th 340 8.8%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Columbus Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 40.89 282nd 517 45.5%
2019 46.88 272nd 522 47.9%
2021 60.96 124th 456 72.8%
2022 41.66 287th 494 41.9%
2023 62.15 146th 463 68.5%
2024 47.56 232nd 469 50.5%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Columbus Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.49 620th 870 28.7%
2019 18.71 731st 899 18.7%
2021 34.66 599th 896 33.1%
2022 23.13 746th 953 21.7%
2023 22.26 783rd 982 20.3%
2024 19.85 826th 989 16.5%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Columbus Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 2.94 979th 1023 4.3%
2023 10.76 896th 975 8.1%
2024 7.26 908th 963 5.7%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: New Jersey Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Columbus Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 




Data source: New Jersey Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Columbus Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 217 34 7 165 0 n/a n/a 0 423
1989 190 29 31 187 0 n/a n/a 0 437
1990 192 29 29 181 0 n/a n/a 0 431
1991 213 41 22 191 0 n/a n/a 0 467
1992 220 38 21 199 0 n/a n/a 0 478
1993 213 48 24 206 0 n/a n/a 0 491
1994 222 59 39 218 0 n/a n/a 0 538
1995 186 80 49 211 0 n/a n/a 0 526
1996 186 80 49 211 0 n/a n/a 0 526
1998 315 157 67 229 0 n/a n/a 0 768
1999 307 168 71 255 0 n/a n/a 0 801
2000 299 180 73 313 0 n/a n/a 0 865
2001 276 186 73 329 0 n/a n/a 0 864
2002 157 159 75 328 0 n/a n/a 0 719
2003 157 159 75 328 0 n/a n/a 0 719
2004 120 168 82 344 0 n/a n/a 0 714
2005 131 172 96 291 0 n/a n/a 0 690
2006 101 184 110 281 0 n/a n/a 0 676
2007 93 201 115 282 0 n/a n/a 0 691
2008 78 203 118 286 0 n/a n/a 0 685
2009 71 207 100 307 0 0 0 0 685
2010 71 205 88 282 0 0 0 0 646
2011 74 205 92 286 0 0 4 0 661
2012 76 166 91 261 0 0 4 0 598
2013 81 188 110 282 0 0 14 0 675
2014 69 181 102 297 0 0 16 0 665
2015 56 174 102 283 0 0 21 0 636
2016 69 187 104 287 0 1 21 0 669
2017 63 184 121 308 0 1 21 0 698
2018 74 164 114 346 1 1 23 0 723
2019 59 169 123 378 2 1 24 0 756
2020 76 173 121 343 3 1 23 0 740
2021 62 168 119 331 2 1 21 0 704
2022 61 178 123 325 5 1 15 0 708
2023 57 137 104 263 5 1 11 0 578
2024 64 163 91 287 3 2 15 0 625

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Columbus Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 423 29.0 14.5 n/a
1989 437 31.0 14.0 n/a
1990 431 29.0 14.8 29.7
1991 467 30.0 15.5 32.1
1992 478 31.0 15.4 32.2
1993 491 32.0 15.3 48.3
1994 538 30.5 17.6 44.4
1995 526 32.5 16.2 51
1996 526 32.5 16.2 51
1998 768 44.0 17.5 42.3
1999 801 46.0 17.4 40.7
2000 865 48.0 18.0 45
2001 864 48.2 17.9 51.6
2002 719 50.0 14.4 57.2
2003 719 50.0 14.4 57.2
2004 714 52.0 13.7 58.1
2005 690 46.0 15.0 n/a
2006 676 48.0 14.1 61.5
2007 691 51.0 13.5 63.7
2008 685 38.0 18.0 65.7
2009 685 60.5 9.8 66.6
2010 646 50.0 12.9 68.9
2011 661 44.5 14.8 68.1
2012 598 47.1 12.6 70.2
2013 675 49.4 13.6 68.6
2014 665 53.4 12.4 68.3
2015 636 48.0 13.2 68.9
2016 669 49.0 13.6 72.9
2017 698 51.4 13.5 71.5
2018 723 51.8 13.9 72.2
2019 756 57.4 13.1 72.2
2020 740 55.5 13.3 74.2
2021 704 57.2 12.3 61.1
2022 708 60.7 11.6 64.5
2023 578 54.3 10.6 68.9
2024 625 54.7 11.4 72.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Columbus Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 423 29.0 14.5 n/a
1989 437 31.0 14.0 n/a
1990 431 29.0 14.8 29.7
1991 467 30.0 15.5 32.1
1992 478 31.0 15.4 32.2
1993 491 32.0 15.3 48.3
1994 538 30.5 17.6 44.4
1995 526 32.5 16.2 51
1996 526 32.5 16.2 51
1998 768 44.0 17.5 42.3
1999 801 46.0 17.4 40.7
2000 865 48.0 18.0 45
2001 864 48.2 17.9 51.6
2002 719 50.0 14.4 57.2
2003 719 50.0 14.4 57.2
2004 714 52.0 13.7 58.1
2005 690 46.0 15.0 n/a
2006 676 48.0 14.1 61.5
2007 691 51.0 13.5 63.7
2008 685 38.0 18.0 65.7
2009 685 60.5 9.8 66.6
2010 646 50.0 12.9 68.9
2011 661 44.5 14.8 68.1
2012 598 47.1 12.6 70.2
2013 675 49.4 13.6 68.6
2014 665 53.4 12.4 68.3
2015 636 48.0 13.2 68.9
2016 669 49.0 13.6 72.9
2017 698 51.4 13.5 71.5
2018 723 51.8 13.9 72.2
2019 756 57.4 13.1 72.2
2020 740 55.5 13.3 74.2
2021 704 57.2 12.3 61.1
2022 708 60.7 11.6 64.5
2023 578 54.3 10.6 68.9
2024 625 54.7 11.4 72.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Columbus Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $308 (7.9%) $3,587 (92.1%) $3,895

Data source: New Jersey Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Columbus Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 1179th of 1360 Elementary schoolsRanks 1095th of 1342 Elementary schools
 5.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Columbus Elementary School)33.318.2
 15.1%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Carteret Public School District)48.725.6
 23.1%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)50.242
 8.2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Columbus Elementary School)27.822.8
 5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Carteret Public School District)49.833.8
 16%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)55.145.9
 9.2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Columbus Elementary School)33.639.1
 5.5%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Carteret Public School District)42.341.8
 0.5%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)57.451.3
 6.1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Columbus Elementary School)30.524.3
 6.2%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Carteret Public School District)36.928.5
 8.4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)5144.3
 6.7%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Columbus Elementary School)34.326
 8.3%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Carteret Public School District)44.936.4
 8.5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)57.949.6
 8.3%
5th Grade Mathematics (Columbus Elementary School)23.117
 6.1%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Carteret Public School District)31.923.4
 8.5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)46.836
 10.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students756578
 23.5%
African American169137
 18.9%
American Indian25
 150%
Asian123104
 15.4%
Hispanic378263
 30.4%
Pacific Islander11
White5957
 3.4%
Two or More Races2411
 54.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients72.2%68.9%
 3.4%


Schools Near Columbus Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Columbus Elementary School

In the 2023-24 school year, 625 students attended Columbus Elementary School.

Students who attend Columbus Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Carteret Middle School
High : Carteret High School

Columbus Elementary School ranks in the bottom 15.4% of New Jersey elementary schools.

Students at Columbus Elementary School are 46% Hispanic, 26% African American, 15% Asian, 10% White, 2% Two or more races.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the New Jersey Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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