For the 2025-26 school year, there are 21 private schools serving 2,595 students in Columbia, MD (there are 23 public schools, serving 15,676 public students). 14% of all K-12 students in Columbia, MD are educated in private schools (compared to the MD state average of 14%).
The top ranked private schools in Columbia, MD include International Connections Academy, Atholton Adventist Academy, and Columbia Academy Elementary and Middle School.
The average acceptance rate is 69%, which is lower than the Maryland private school average acceptance rate of 78%.
24% of private schools in Columbia, MD are religiously affiliated (most commonly Jewish and Seventh Day Adventist).
Top Ranked Columbia Private Schools (2025-26)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Fusion Academy Columbia![Fusion Academy Columbia Photo - Each Fusion campus has a state-of-the-art music studio with professional-grade tools. Students can explore instruments, vocals, songwriting, DJ performing arts, and more. Fusion Academy Columbia Photo - Each Fusion campus has a state-of-the-art music studio with professional-grade tools. Students can explore instruments, vocals, songwriting, DJ performing arts, and more.]()

Alternative School
10175 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Suite 120
Columbia, MD 21044
(877) 673-8893
Columbia, MD 21044
(877) 673-8893
Gr: 6-12 Tuition listed
6520 Martin Road
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 740-2425
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 740-2425
Gr: PK-12 | 237 students Avg. class size: 17 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 16 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
10350 Old Columbia Road
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 312-7413
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 312-7413
Gr: NS-8 | 339 students Avg. class size: 16 students Extracurrculars: 11 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
HCHC Leadership Academy![HCHC Leadership Academy Photo - Sprout Program HCHC Leadership Academy Photo - Sprout Program]()

Alternative School
9091 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21046
(802) 424-2099
Columbia, MD 21046
(802) 424-2099
Gr: K-11 | 38 students Avg. class size: 8 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
10960 Grantchester Way
Columbia, MD 21044
(888) 260-4159
Columbia, MD 21044
(888) 260-4159
Gr: K-12 | 889 students Extracurrculars: 8 Tuition listed
Learning Community International The![Learning Community International The Photo - TLCI Core Beliefs Empowering learners to create and achieve their educational goals through a customized and collaborative process of reflection, self-evaluation, and self-correction. Learning Community International The Photo - TLCI Core Beliefs Empowering learners to create and achieve their educational goals through a customized and collaborative process of reflection, self-evaluation, and self-correction.]()

Alternative School
9085 Flamepool Way
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 730-0073
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 730-0073
Gr: PK-12 | 73 students Extracurrculars: 1 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Bet Yeladim Inc
Daycare / Preschool (Jewish)
8910 Route 108, Suite D
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 997-7378
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 997-7378
Gr: NS-PK | 160 students
10449 Green Mountain Cir
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 730-7525
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 730-7525
Gr: PK-K | 24 students Avg. class size: 24 students Tuition listed
6080 Foreland Garth
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 997-2384
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 997-2384
Gr: PK-6 | 110 students
9008 Red Branch Rd
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 730-3100
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 730-3100
Gr: NS-K | 102 students
7195 Columbia Gateway Dr.
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 290-0928
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 290-0928
Gr: NS-PK | 123 students Tuition listed
Columbia Montessori School
Montessori School
10508 Marble Faun Ln
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 772-8353
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 772-8353
Gr: PK-1 | 54 students Avg. class size: 16 students
Gan Israel Day School
Daycare / Preschool (Jewish)
770 Howes Ln
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 740-2424
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 740-2424
Gr: PK-K | 9 students Tuition listed
10220 Old Columbia Road, Suite A
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 531-1511
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 531-1511
Gr: NS-PK | 195 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 2 | Extracurrculars: 5 Tuition listed
Hickory Ridge KinderCare![Hickory Ridge KinderCare Photo - Infant Classroom Hickory Ridge KinderCare Photo - Infant Classroom]()

Daycare / Preschool
6185 Sunny Spring
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 730-8449
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 730-8449
Gr: NS-PK
Julia Brown Schools![Julia Brown Schools Photo - Call us to schedule a tour of our Montessori School in Columbia! Julia Brown Schools Photo - Call us to schedule a tour of our Montessori School in Columbia!]()

Montessori School
9760 Owen Brown Rd
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 730-5056
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 730-5056
Gr: NS-3 Avg. class size: 25 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
10820 Little Patuxent Pkwy
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 730-5757
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 730-5757
Gr: NS-PK | 84 students
Lornwood School
Daycare / Preschool
7246 Cradlerock Wy
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 992-6670
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 992-6670
Gr: PK-K | 35 students
The Mandala School Inc
Alternative School
6315 Hillside Ct Ste D
Columbia, MD 21046
(443) 546-3551
Columbia, MD 21046
(443) 546-3551
Gr: K-7 | 23 students
8950 Route 108, Suite 118
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 343-9780
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 343-9780
Gr: K-10 Avg. class size: 15 students
The Young School
(3)
7175 Riverwood Drive
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 381-6191
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 381-6191
Gr: K-5 | 100 students Avg. class size: 12 students
Columbia, Maryland Private Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Lornwood Day Care & Gifted Center (Closed 2024)
Daycare / Preschool
10453 Green Mountain Circle
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 992-7026
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 992-7026
Gr: PK-K | 57 students
Love Of Learning Montessori School (Closed 2022)
Montessori School
9151 Rumsey Road
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 715-9600
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 715-9600
Gr: PK-3 | 150 students Avg. class size: 20 students Acceptance rate listed
Nurturing Nest Montessori School (Closed 2024)
Montessori School
5885 Robert Oliver Pl
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 772-6378
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 772-6378
Gr: K | 4 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked private schools in Columbia, MD?
The top ranked private schools in Columbia, MD include International Connections Academy, Atholton Adventist Academy, and Columbia Academy Elementary and Middle School.
How many private schools are located in Columbia?
21 private schools are located in Columbia.
How diverse are private schools in Columbia?
Columbia private schools are approximately 42% minority students, which is higher than the Maryland private school average of 38%.
What percentage of students in Columbia go to private school?
14% of all K-12 students in Columbia are educated in private schools (compared to the MD state average of 14%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Columbia?
24% of private schools in Columbia are religiously affiliated (most commonly Jewish and Seventh Day Adventist).
Which private schools in Columbia are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in Columbia include: Gan Israel Day School vs. Bet Yeladim Inc, Bryant Woods Montessori Childrens House vs. Julia Brown Schools
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