For the 2024-25 school year, there are 23 public schools serving 16,219 students in Columbia, MD (there are 22 private schools, serving 2,600 private students). 86% of all K-12 students in Columbia, MD are educated in public schools (compared to the MD state average of 86%).
The top ranked public schools in Columbia, MD are Atholton High School, Waterloo Elementary School and Atholton Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbia, MD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 27% (versus the Maryland public school average of 25%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in Columbia have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Maryland public schools.
Minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Maryland public school average of 67% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Columbia, MD (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Atholton High School
Magnet School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6520 Freetown Rd
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-7065
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-7065
Grades: 9-12
| 1,467 students
Rank: #22.
Waterloo Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5940 Waterloo Rd
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-5014
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-5014
Grades: PK-5
| 612 students
Rank: #33.
Atholton Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6700 Seneca Dr
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 313-6853
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 313-6853
Grades: PK-5
| 489 students
Rank: #44.
Clemens Crossing Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
10320 Quarterstaff Rd
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6866
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6866
Grades: K-5
| 543 students
Rank: #55.
Oakland Mills High School
Magnet School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
9410 Kilimanjaro Rd
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6945
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6945
Grades: 9-12
| 1,401 students
Rank: #66.
Hammond High School
Magnet School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
8800 Guilford Rd
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 313-7615
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 313-7615
Grades: 9-12
| 1,287 students
Rank: #77.
Stevens Forest Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
6045 Stevens Forest Rd
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6900
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6900
Grades: PK-5
| 308 students
Rank: #88.
Jeffers Hill Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6001 Tamar Dr
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6872
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6872
Grades: PK-5
| 408 students
Rank: #99.
Wilde Lake High School
Magnet School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5460 Trumpeter Rd
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6965
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6965
Grades: 9-12
| 1,341 students
Rank: #1010.
Phelps Luck Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5370 Oldstone Ct
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6886
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6886
Grades: PK-5
| 746 students
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Longfellow Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5470 Hesperus Dr
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6879
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6879
Grades: PK-5
| 478 students
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Thunder Hill Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
9357 Mellenbrook Rd
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6922
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6922
Grades: K-5
| 472 students
Rank: #1313.
Long Reach High School
Magnet School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6101 Old Dobbin Ln
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7117
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7117
Grades: 9-12
| 1,714 students
Rank: #1414.
Wilde Lake Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
10481 Cross Fox Ln
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6957
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6957
Grades: 6-8
| 611 students
Rank: #1515.
Bryant Woods Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5450 Blue Heron Ln
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6859
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6859
Grades: PK-5
| 361 students
Rank: #1616.
Talbott Springs Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
9550 Basket Ring Rd
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6915
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6915
Grades: PK-5
| 483 students
Rank: #1717.
Swansfield Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5610 Cedar Ln
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6907
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6907
Grades: PK-5
| 592 students
Rank: #1818.
Guilford Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
7335 Oakland Mills Rd
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 880-5930
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 880-5930
Grades: PK-5
| 478 students
Rank: #1919.
Cradlerock Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
6700 Cradlerock Way
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 319-7601
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 319-7601
Grades: PK-5
| 459 students
Rank: #2020.
Oakland Mills Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
9540 Kilimanjaro Rd
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6937
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6937
Grades: 6-8
| 475 students
Rank: #2121.
Harpers Choice Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5450 Beaverkill Rd
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6929
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6929
Grades: 6-8
| 497 students
Rank: #2222.
Running Brook Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5215 W Running Brook Rd
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6893
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6893
Grades: PK-5
| 399 students
Rank: #2323.
Lake Elkhorn Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
6680 Cradlerock Way
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7600
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7600
Grades: 6-8
| 598 students
Columbia, Maryland Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
10960 Grantchester Way
Columbia, MD 21044
(800) 382-6010
Columbia, MD 21044
(800) 382-6010
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
6700 Cradlerock Way
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7601
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7601
Grades: PK-8
| 932 students
6700 Cradlewrock Way
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7607
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7607
Grades: 6-8
| 543 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Columbia, MD?
The top ranked public schools in Columbia, MD include Atholton High School, Waterloo Elementary School and Atholton Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Columbia?
23 public schools are located in Columbia.
What percentage of students in Columbia go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in Columbia are educated in public schools (compared to the MD state average of 86%).
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia?
Columbia public schools minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Maryland public schools average of 67% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Columbia are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Columbia include: Talbott Springs Elementary School vs. Stevens Forest Elementary School, Stevens Forest Elementary School vs. Talbott Springs Elementary School, Lake Elkhorn Middle School vs. Oakland Mills Middle School
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