For the 2025 school year, there are 12 public preschools serving 5,774 students in Columbia, MD.
The top ranked public preschools in Columbia, MD are Waterloo Elementary School, Atholton Elementary School and Stevens Forest Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbia, MD public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the Maryland public pre school average of 25%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 39% statewide average). Pre schools in Columbia have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Maryland public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Maryland public preschool average of 71% (majority Black).
Best Public Preschools in Columbia, MD (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Waterloo Elementary 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
| 626 students
Rank: #22.
Atholton Elementary 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
| 520 students
Rank: #33.
Stevens Forest Elementary 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
| 328 students
Rank: #44.
Jeffers Hill Elementary 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
| 397 students
Rank: #55.
Phelps Luck Elementary 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
| 704 students
Rank: #66.
Longfellow Elementary 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
| 423 students
Rank: #77.
Bryant Woods Elementary 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
| 359 students
Rank: #88.
Talbott Springs Elementary 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
| 488 students
Rank: #99.
Swansfield Elementary 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
| 602 students
Rank: #1010.
Guilford Elementary 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
| 473 students
Rank: #1111.
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
Grades: PK-5
| 465 students
Rank: #1212.
Running Brook Elementary 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
| 389 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 preschools in Columbia, MD?
The top ranked public preschools in Columbia, MD include Waterloo Elementary School, Atholton Elementary School and Stevens Forest Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Columbia?
12 public preschools are located in Columbia.
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia?
Columbia public preschools minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Maryland public preschools average of 71% (majority Black).
Which public preschools in Columbia are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Columbia include: Stevens Forest Elementary School vs. Talbott Springs Elementary School, Talbott Springs Elementary School vs. Stevens Forest Elementary School, Cradlerock Elementary School vs. Atholton Elementary School
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