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Very Good

#82 of 379 private schools in MD

Top 21% of private schools

Columbia Academy

Elementary School

10350 OLD COLUMBIA RD, Columbia, MD 21046

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 23 schools in Columbia. Learn more

Enrollment

196

Student-Teacher

10.9:1

Score

7.3

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Columbia

#1 of 3

public schools

Maryland elementary schools

#36 of 191

About Columbia Academy

Columbia Academy is a regular public school located in the heart of Columbia, Maryland, offering education to students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 196 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.9:1, the school provides a personalized learning environment that fosters individual growth and development. The dedicated faculty consists of 18 full-time equivalent teachers who work closely with students to ensure they receive the support and attention needed.

While academic test score data is not available for Columbia Academy, the MySchoolScout rating indicates the school has room for improvement but also highlights areas where it excels in other aspects of student development. The state ranking of 188 out of 379 schools in Maryland reflects that there is potential for growth and improvement. Columbia Academy is situated in a mid-size city, surrounded by diverse neighborhoods and vibrant community resources.

This setting provides students with numerous opportunities to engage in extracurricular activities and cultural experiences beyond the classroom.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 196 students, Columbia Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

As a private school, Columbia Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Columbia Academy compares to 18 public schools serving similar grades in Columbia, MD

Student-Teacher Ratio
10.9:1
This School
vs
11.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
196
This School
vs
493
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.3
This School
vs
7.3
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 38.3% vs 0%
Black 33.2% vs 0%
Asian 19.4% vs 0%
Hispanic 2% vs 0%
Columbia Academy Columbia Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Columbia Academy (this school) 7.3
Atholton Elementary 7.4
Clemens Crossing Elementary 7.2
Lake Elkhorn Middle 5.4
Cradlerock Elementary 7.7
Stevens Forest Elementary 8.9
Guilford Elementary 7.0
Oakland Mills Middle 7.4
Wilde Lake Middle 6.9
Swansfield Elementary 9.4
Talbott Springs Elementary 7.2
Bryant Woods Elementary 8.3
Jeffers Hill Elementary 6.5
Harpers Choice Middle 7.1
Longfellow Elementary 4.9
Running Brook Elementary 6.2
Thunder Hill Elementary 6.0
Phelps Luck Elementary 8.7
Waterloo Elementary 8.3

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MD.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B- 5.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 10.9:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B+ 7.1 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,253
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A+ 9.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 69%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.2 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 196
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in MD

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 38.3%
Black 33.2%
Asian 19.4%
Two or More 3.1%
Hispanic 2.0%
Native American 2.0%
Pacific Islander 2.0%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

10350 OLD COLUMBIA RD, Columbia, MD 21046

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbia Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Gorman Crossing Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Laurel), which scores notably higher. Another option is Stevens Forest Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cradlerock Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
MOUNTHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Columbia 0.5 mi
Atholton Elementary Columbia 0.7 mi 7.4
Atholton High Columbia 0.8 mi 5.3
ATHOLTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY Columbia 0.9 mi 7.0
Clemens Crossing Elementary Columbia 1.0 mi 7.2
Hammond High Columbia 1.0 mi 6.2
THE MANDALA SCHOOL INC Columbia 1.4 mi
KNOWLEDGE BEGINNINGS Laurel 1.6 mi
Hammond Middle Laurel 2.1 mi 6.3
Hammond Elementary Laurel 2.2 mi 7.5
Lake Elkhorn Middle Columbia 1.8 mi 5.4
Cradlerock Elementary Columbia 1.8 mi 7.7
JULIA BROWN SCHOOL Columbia 2.0 mi
Gorman Crossing Elementary Laurel 2.4 mi 8.9
Murray Hill Middle Laurel 2.5 mi 7.1
Stevens Forest Elementary Columbia 2.3 mi 8.9
Wilde Lake High Columbia 2.6 mi 5.8
Wilde Lake Middle Columbia 2.6 mi 6.9
NURTURING NEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia 2.5 mi
Oakland Mills Middle Columbia 2.5 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21046 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$126,549

Median Home Value

$469,000

Median Rent

$2,099/mo

Population

15,433

College Educated

62%

Homeownership

62.7%

Avg Commute

25.1 min

Poverty Rate

8.4%

Median Age

37.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Columbia Academy has a median household income of $126,549. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $469,000, with a median rent of $2,099/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Doswell E. Brooks Elementary Capital Heights, MD 7.3
Robert W. Coleman Elementary Baltimore, MD 7.3
ST COLUMBA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Oxon Hill, MD 7.3
ST JOHN'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Olney, MD 7.3
MT AETNA ADVENTIST SCHOOL (MAAS) Hagerstown, MD 7.2
Oxon Hill Elementary Oxon Hill, MD 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbia Academy

What grades does Columbia Academy serve?

Columbia Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Columbia Academy?

Columbia Academy has an enrollment of approximately 196 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbia Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Columbia Academy is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Columbia Academy rank in MD?

Columbia Academy is ranked #82 out of 379 private schools in MD.

What is Columbia Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbia Academy has a composite rating of 7.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Columbia Academy a private school?

Yes, Columbia Academy is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Columbia Academy a religious school?

No, Columbia Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
31 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
26 Some Transit
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
196
Gender Split
47% M / 53% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
179 days
Setting
Midsize City
County
HOWARD
Data Year
2022–2023

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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