Best Public Schools in Columbia, MD

The city of Columbia, Maryland is home to 23 schools that are part of the Howard County Public Schools district, which is ranked 4th out of 25 districts in the state and rated 4 stars out of 5 by SchoolDigger. The district serves 14 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 5 high schools, providing a comprehensive educational experience for students in the area.

Several schools in Columbia stand out for their strong academic performance. Waterloo Elementary ranks 115th out of 865 Maryland elementary schools and is rated 4 stars, with high proficiency rates in both mathematics (58.3%) and English Language Arts (71.5%). Similarly, Atholton Elementary and Clemens Crossing Elementary are also 4-star schools with impressive proficiency rates. At the high school level, Atholton High ranks 58th out of 220 Maryland high schools and boasts a high 4-year graduation rate of 93.5%.

While the district as a whole performs well, there is some variation in academic achievement across the schools. The highest mathematics proficiency rate is 58.3% at Waterloo Elementary, while the lowest is 20% at Cradlerock Elementary. Similarly, English Language Arts proficiency ranges from 71.5% at Waterloo Elementary to 35.3% at Running Brook Elementary. These disparities suggest opportunities for the district to focus on improving equity and supporting the lower-performing schools to ensure all students have access to a high-quality education.