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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Columbia Public Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 18 public elementary schools serving 8,785 students in Columbia, MD.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Columbia, MD are Waterloo Elementary School, Atholton Elementary School and Clemens Crossing Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbia, MD public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 29% (versus the Maryland public elementary school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 44% statewide average). Elementary schools in Columbia have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Maryland public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Maryland public elementary school average of 69% (majority Black).

Best Public Elementary Schools in Columbia, MD (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Waterloo Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5940 Waterloo Rd
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-5014
Gr: PK-5 | 666 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #22.
Atholton Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
6700 Seneca Dr
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 313-6853
Gr: PK-5 | 516 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #33.
Clemens Crossing Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
10320 Quarterstaff Rd
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6866
Gr: K-5 | 481 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #44.
Stevens Forest Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
6045 Stevens Forest Rd
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6900
Gr: PK-5 | 314 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #55.
Jeffers Hill Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
6001 Tamar Dr
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6872
Gr: PK-5 | 406 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #66.
Wilde Lake Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
10481 Cross Fox Ln
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6957
Gr: 6-8 | 643 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #77.
Thunder Hill Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
9357 Mellenbrook Rd
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6922
Gr: K-5 | 459 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #88.
Phelps Luck Elementary School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
5370 Oldstone Ct
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6886
Gr: PK-5 | 681 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #99.
Bryant Woods Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
5450 Blue Heron Ln
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6859
Gr: PK-5 | 366 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1010.
Longfellow Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
5470 Hesperus Dr
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6879
Gr: PK-5 | 446 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1111.
Talbott Springs Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
9550 Basket Ring Rd
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6915
Gr: PK-5 | 461 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #1212.
Swansfield Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
5610 Cedar Ln
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6907
Gr: PK-5 | 594 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1313.
Guilford Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
7335 Oakland Mills Rd
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 880-5930
Gr: PK-5 | 437 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #1414.
Running Brook Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
5215 W Running Brook Rd
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6893
Gr: PK-5 | 407 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #1515.
Oakland Mills Middle School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
9540 Kilimanjaro Rd
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6937
Gr: 6-8 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1616.
Cradlerock Elementary School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
6700 Cradlerock Way
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 319-7601
Gr: PK-5 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #1717.
Harpers Choice Middle School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
5450 Beaverkill Rd
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6929
Gr: 6-8 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #1818.
Lake Elkhorn Middle School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
6680 Cradlerock Way
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 elementary schools in Columbia, MD?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Columbia, MD include Waterloo Elementary School, Atholton Elementary School and Clemens Crossing Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Columbia?
18 public elementary schools are located in Columbia.
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia?
Columbia public elementary schools minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Maryland public elementary schools average of 69% (majority Black).
Which public elementary schools in Columbia are often viewed compared to one another?

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