Columbus Elementary School

Set in Chariton, Iowa, Columbus Elementary School is an average-sized elementary campus, one of the schools within Chariton Comm School District. It instructs 301 students across grades K through 2.

Across the 4 schools in Chariton Comm School District (1,249 students total), Columbus Elementary School accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

Looking at the student body, Columbus Elementary School logs that nearly all students (90%) are White. Beyond that, the school lists 8% Hispanic.

In terms of school funding signals, On paper, Columbus Elementary School has 20 full-time-equivalent teachers, translating to a class-load average of around 15.2:1. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 13.7:1, putting Columbus Elementary School higher than the state norm the norm. An estimated 65% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, a number frequently used as a low-income enrollment indicator.

Around the school, census data for Lucas County shows median household income runs about $61,793, roughly 16% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate sits near 12%. In all, Lucas County runs 4 public schools (combined enrollment of about 1,249 students), of which Columbus Elementary School is one.

Nearest neighbor: Chariton High School, around 0.5 miles off. Within five miles, there are 3 other public schools.

The campus sits in an outlying setting.

Five-year trend. Over the past 7-year window, the student count ticked up 16%: 260 students in 2018 compared to 301 in 2025. Over the same period, the White share shrank from 95% to 90%. Class-load math has grew: from 13.8:1 in 2018 to 15.2:1 in 2025.

Within the allk12 community for this school, posts here usually surface around school events, parent volunteer needs, and clubs. The community welcomes input from current and former families.