The top reported proficiency rate is 56% in Science. The lowest is 46% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Ulysses S. Grant Elem.
Ulysses S. Grant Elementary is a regular public school in Columbia, Missouri, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It sits within the Columbia 93 district, the fourth largest in the state, and its downtown location places it in the heart of a Midwestern college town that blends residential neighborhoods with a large university campus, healthcare complexes, and commercial districts. Columbia is the fastest-growing municipality in Missouri, with a strong student presence from the University of Missouri, Stephens College, and Columbia College, and major employers that include the university, healthcare systems, and financial services firms like Veterans United Home Loans and Shelter Insurance. The city has an extensive parks and trails system, a walkable downtown corridor connecting campus to civic buildings, and cultural anchors that include the State Historical Society of Missouri and Ragtag Cinema.
The school itself reflects the diversity of its community. Its student body is composed of a mix of racial and ethnic backgrounds, with a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. That economic diversity is typical for a public elementary school in a mid-sized city, and families considering Grant should expect a peer environment that mirrors the broader population of Columbia.
Academically, the school produces results that place it among the leading elementary schools in Boone County when compared across all tested subjects and grade levels. State assessment data shows that across math, English language arts, and science, proficiency rates vary by grade and subject but generally fall in a moderate range. For example, math proficiency across grades three through five is around the middle mark, with some grades performing a bit above and others a bit below. English language arts proficiency is similar, with the majority of students scoring at or above the proficient level in each tested grade. Science, tested only in fifth grade, shows a notably stronger result, with more than half of students reaching proficiency. These figures suggest a solid academic foundation, though families may want to discuss with the school how individual children performing below the proficient level are supported.
A parent may note that the school's overall proficiency index, which averages results across all tested subjects and grades, ranks in the top quartile among its county peers. That is a genuine strength, indicating that Grant Elementary is consistently above the median for the area. At the same time, proficiency rates in the forties and fifties are not exceptional, and the school does not have available data on chronic absenteeism or special education and English learner populations, so a complete picture of student support is not possible from the provided information. A parent concerned about these areas may want to ask the school directly about interventions, progress monitoring, and how students with different learning needs are served.
The district has made several recent changes that affect Grant. In 2024, voters approved a major bond issue for facility improvements, including safety upgrades, HVAC work, and classroom renovations, with projects expected through 2028. A new elementary literacy curriculum based on the science of reading was phased in starting in the 2023-2024 school year, replacing a balanced literacy approach. The district also implemented a 1:1 technology initiative providing devices for all students in grades three through five. Attendance boundary changes approved in 2023 took effect in 2024-2025, but Grant Elementary was not among the schools whose attendance zones were adjusted; that was limited to Blue Ridge, Derby Ridge, and Alpha Hart Lewis elementaries. For families living within Grant's attendance area, these changes do not affect which school their child attends.
There is no information available about specific program offerings, such as gifted education, enrichment, or after-school activities. Because Grant serves only through fifth grade, there is no high school graduation rate to consider; students will move on to a Columbia middle school and eventually one of the district's four high schools. Housing in the surrounding area reflects Columbia's growth, with home values and rents above the state median but still accessible relative to national benchmarks, and the area has seen continued job growth and low unemployment.
Overall, Ulysses S. Grant Elementary offers a solid academic experience in a diverse, urban-suburban setting within a growing college town. Its strongest point is its consistently above-average performance among Boone County schools, but the moderate proficiency rates in core subjects mean that a family should feel comfortable asking how the school meets the needs of all learners, especially those who are below the proficient line. The district's recent investments in literacy, technology, and facilities suggest a forward-looking approach that may benefit students over time.
See more original research from School Decision →