Oakland Mills Blacksmith House and Shop · Photo: FlugKerl2 · CC BY-SA 3.0Columbia’s public schools outscore 88% of Maryland districts
42% of students in Columbia’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Maryland average (25%). The grade covers the public school district serving Columbia, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Maryland, not nationally.
From Maryland state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Columbia’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 181 Maryland towns with household incomes within a quarter of Columbia’s, its schools beat 94%, higher than their 88% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 58% and math 42% in spring 2022, against 45% and 25% statewide; 93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $20,296 per student, against $20,258 across Maryland (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
16 elementary schools, then five middle and seven high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Louis School (private), Atholton Adventist Academy (private), Columbia Academy (private), Aya Center (private), Julia Brown School (private), Northcrest Montessori (private), Fusion Columbia (private), Journey School (private), The Mandala School Inc (private), Columbia Montessori School (private), Spartek Academy (private) and Bryant Woods Montessori Childrens House (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Columbia’s grade
A: better than 88% of Maryland school districts, #12 of 261 Maryland towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Maryland average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Columbia, with each school’s own grade.
Columbia’s public schools are run by Howard County Public Schools. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Columbia vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Maryland towns that share Columbia’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia | A | Howard County |
Every school in Columbia
41 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Maryland’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Applications and Research Laboratory).
Questions about Columbia’s schools
Are Columbia’s schools good?
By Maryland’s own tests, yes: the public schools Columbia children attend outscore 88% of Maryland’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #12 of 261 Maryland towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 94%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Columbia in?
Howard County Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 57,565 students in 77 schools (2024–25).
Where do Columbia kids go to high school?
One of 7 high schools, depending on your address: Atholton High, Howard High, Oakland Mills High, River Hill High, Long Reach High, Wilde Lake High and Hammond High.
What is Columbia’s graduation rate?
93% of the class of 2023 in Howard County Public Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across Maryland.
How much does Columbia spend per student?
$20,296 in Howard County Public Schools (FY2024), against $20,258 across Maryland. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Columbia?
Yes: St. Louis School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 555 students), Atholton Adventist Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 231 students), Columbia Academy (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 173 students), Aya Center (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 172 students), Julia Brown School (nonsectarian, grades PK–3, 94 students), Northcrest Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 93 students), Fusion Columbia (nonsectarian, grades 7–12, 75 students), Journey School (nonsectarian, grades PK–7, 54 students), The Mandala School Inc (religious, grades K–8, 51 students), Columbia Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–1, 48 students), Spartek Academy (nonsectarian, grades K–9, 21 students) and Bryant Woods Montessori Childrens House (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 12 students).
Parents talk
What Columbia families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Columbia → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Maryland. Stars are from neighbors.