For the 2026 school year, there are 23 public schools serving 15,428 students in Columbia, MD (there are 24 private schools, serving 2,941 private students). 85% 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 31% (versus the Maryland public school average of 27%), 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 69% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Columbia, MD (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Atholton High School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6520 Freetown Rd
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-7065
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-7065
Gr: 9-12 | 1,540 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #22.
Waterloo Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5940 Waterloo Rd
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-5014
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-5014
Gr: PK-5 | 666 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #33.
Atholton Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
6700 Seneca Dr
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 313-6853
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 313-6853
Gr: PK-5 | 516 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #44.
Clemens Crossing Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
10320 Quarterstaff Rd
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6866
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6866
Gr: K-5 | 481 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #55.
Hammond High School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
8800 Guilford Rd
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 313-7615
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 313-7615
Gr: 9-12 | 1,159 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #66.
Oakland Mills High School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
9410 Kilimanjaro Rd
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6945
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6945
Gr: 9-12 | 1,413 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #77.
Stevens Forest Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | 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
Gr: PK-5 | 314 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #88.
Jeffers Hill Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
6001 Tamar Dr
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6872
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6872
Gr: PK-5 | 406 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #99.
Wilde Lake Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
10481 Cross Fox Ln
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6957
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6957
Gr: 6-8 | 643 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #1010.
Thunder Hill Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
9357 Mellenbrook Rd
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6922
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6922
Gr: K-5 | 459 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #1111.
Wilde Lake High School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5460 Trumpeter Rd
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6965
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6965
Gr: 9-12 | 1,197 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1212.
Long Reach High School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6101 Old Dobbin Ln
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7117
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7117
Gr: 9-12 | 1,334 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #1313.
Phelps Luck Elementary School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5370 Oldstone Ct
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6886
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6886
Gr: PK-5 | 681 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1414.
Bryant Woods Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | 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
Gr: PK-5 | 366 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1515.
Longfellow Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5470 Hesperus Dr
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6879
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6879
Gr: PK-5 | 446 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1616.
Talbott Springs Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
9550 Basket Ring Rd
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6915
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6915
Gr: PK-5 | 461 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #1717.
Swansfield Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5610 Cedar Ln
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6907
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6907
Gr: PK-5 | 594 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1818.
Guilford Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
7335 Oakland Mills Rd
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 880-5930
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 880-5930
Gr: PK-5 | 437 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #1919.
Running Brook Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5215 W Running Brook Rd
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6893
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6893
Gr: PK-5 | 407 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #2020.
Oakland Mills Middle School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
9540 Kilimanjaro Rd
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6937
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6937
Gr: 6-8 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #2121.
Cradlerock Elementary 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
Gr: PK-5 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #2222.
Harpers Choice Middle 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
Gr: 6-8 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #2323.
Lake Elkhorn Middle School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
6680 Cradlerock Way
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7600
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7600
Gr: 6-8 | 569 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
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?
85% 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 69% (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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