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Best Columbia Private High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 5 private high schools serving 1,237 students in Columbia, MD.

The private high schools in Columbia, MD include International Connections Academy, Atholton Adventist Academy, and HCHC Leadership Academy.

The average acceptance rate is 52%, which is lower than the Maryland private high school average acceptance rate of 77%.

17% of private high schools in Columbia, MD are religiously affiliated (most commonly Seventh Day Adventist).

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.

Atholton Adventist Academy Photo - Atholton Adventist Academy is a Christ-centered Seventh-day Adventist school providing quality education and a warm community for students.

HCHC Leadership Academy Photo - Sprout Program

Spartek Academy : An Acton Academy Photo - Technology, Socratic Discussions, and real-world hands-on projects are the cornerstone of the Spartek Academy: An Acton Academy learning experience.

Top-Ranked Columbia Private High Schools (2026)

School

Location

Quick Facts

Fusion Academy Columbia

Alternative School

Add to Compare

10175 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Suite 120
Columbia, MD 21044
(877) 673-8893

Gr: 6-12 Tuition listed

Atholton Adventist Academy

(Seventh Day Adventist)

Add to Compare

(12)

6520 Martin Road
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 740-2425

Gr: PK-12 | 237 students Avg. class size: 17 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 16 Tuition & acceptance rate listed

HCHC Leadership Academy

Alternative School

Add to Compare

9091 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21046
(802) 424-2099

Gr: K-11 | 38 students Avg. class size: 8 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition & acceptance rate listed

International Connections Academy

Add to Compare

10960 Grantchester Way
Columbia, MD 21044
(888) 260-4159

Gr: K-12 | 889 students Extracurrculars: 8 Tuition listed

Spartek Academy : An Acton Academy

Add to Compare

8950 Route 108, Suite 118
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 343-9780

Gr: K-10 Avg. class size: 15 students

[+] Show Closed Private Schools in Columbia, Maryland

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

Gr: PK-K | 57 students

Love Of Learning Montessori School (Closed 2022)

Montessori School

9151 Rumsey Road
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 715-9600

Gr: PK-3 | 150 students Avg. class size: 20 students Acceptance rate listed

The Mandala School Inc (Closed 2025)

Alternative School

6315 Hillside Ct Ste D
Columbia, MD 21046
(443) 546-3551

Gr: K-7 | 23 students

Nurturing Nest Montessori School (Closed 2024)

Montessori School

5885 Robert Oliver Pl
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 772-6378

Gr: K | 4 students

Overview

This Town (Columbia)

This State (MD)

# Schools

6 Schools

View Data

Trends in Total Number of Private High Schools
Year	Columbia, MD Total Schools
2025	6
2024	6
2023	6
2022	6
2021	6
2020	4
2019	2
2018	2
2017	2
2016	1
2015	1

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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Student Body:

# Students

1,237 Students

73,430 Students

View Data

Trends in the Average Number of Students Per Private High School
Year	Columbia, MD Average	Maryland (MD) Average	National Average
2025	309	264	253
2024	310	260	245
2023	301	266	247
2022	322	288	257
2021	317	270	249
2020	352	260	235
2019	572	258	242
2018	572	257	238
2017	572	257	246
2016	237	251	241
2015	229	234	220

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% Average Students of Color

38%

36%

View Data

Percentage of Students of Color Trends (2015-2025)
Year	Columbia, MD Average	Maryland (MD) Average	National Average
2025	38%	36%	32%
2024	37%	35%	31%
2023	37%	35%	31%
2022	55%	37%	30%
2021	55%	36%	30%
2020	55%	35%	29%
2019	64%	34%	29%
2018	64%	33%	28%
2017	50%	36%	30%
2016	50%	36%	30%
2015	50%	38%	30%

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Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers

61 Teachers

8,615 Teachers

Average Student-Teacher Ratio

19:1

9:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Trends (2015-2025)
Year	Columbia, MD Average	Maryland (MD) Average	National Average
2025	19:1	9:1	10:1
2024	19:1	9:1	10:1
2023	19:1	8:1	10:1
2022	25:1	9:1	10:1
2021	25:1	9:1	10:1
2020	25:1	9:1	10:1
2019	27:1	8:1	10:1
2018	27:1	8:1	10:1
2017	27:1	8:1	10:1
2016	15:1	8:1	10:1
2015	14:1	9:1	10:1

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% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree

85%

59%

View Data

Percentage of Faculty With Advanced Degrees Trends (2015-2025)
Year	Columbia, MD Average	Maryland (MD) Average	National Average
2025	85%	59%	57%
2024	82%	59%	57%
2023	82%	59%	57%
2022	80%	59%	56%
2021	80%	58%	56%
2020	80%	58%	56%
2019	80%	59%	55%
2018	80%	57%	55%
2017	80%	58%	55%
2016	50%	57%	54%
2015	50%	57%	54%

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Average Class Size

13 students

15 students

View Data

Class Size Trends (2015-2025)
Year	Columbia, MD Average	Maryland (MD) Average	National Average
2025	13	15	14
2024	13	15	14
2023	13	15	14
2022	17	15	14
2021	17	15	14
2020	17	15	14
2019	17	15	14
2018	17	14	14
2017	17	14	14
2016	17	14	14
2015	17	14	14

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Average Number of AP Courses

16 courses

13 courses

View Data

Trends in Average Number of AP Courses Offered
Year	Columbia, MD Average	Maryland (MD) Average	National Average
2025	16	13	13
2024	9	13	12
2023	9	13	12
2022	16	13	12
2021	16	12	12
2020	11	12	12
2019	16	12	11
2018	16	11	11
2017	16	11	11

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Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost

$4,855

$20,500

View Data

Tuition Cost Trends (2017-2025)
Year	Columbia, MD Average	Maryland (MD) Average	National Average
2025	$4,855	$20,331	$17,997
2024	$4,855	$19,484	$17,011
2023	$4,332	$18,118	$16,191
2022	$7,190	$17,865	$15,821
2021	$9,877	$16,665	$15,331
2020	$7,190	$16,013	$15,046
2019	$6,880	$16,628	$14,791
2018	$6,880	$16,352	$14,527
2017	$6,880	$15,381	$14,161

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Average Summer Program Cost

$5,900

$1,126

View Data

Summer Program Cost Trends (2020-2025)
Year	Columbia, MD Average	Maryland (MD) Average	National Average
2025	$5,900	$1,126	$1,513
2024	$5,900	$1,017	$1,498
2022	$2,500	$927	$1,473
2021	$2,500	$927	$1,580
2020	$2,500	$778	$1,743

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Average % on Financial Aid

15%

36%

View Data

Percent on Financial Aid Trends (2023-2025)
Year	Columbia, MD Average	Maryland (MD) Average	National Average
2025	15%	36%	38%
2024	15%	37%	37%
2023	15%	36%	36%

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Average Financial Aid Grant

$600

$9,550

View Data

Financial Aid Grant Trends (2023-2025)
Year	Columbia, MD Average	Maryland (MD) Average	National Average
2025	$600	$9,481	$9,714
2024	$600	$9,387	$9,498
2023	$600	$8,947	$8,890

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Average Acceptance Rate

52%

77%

View Data

Acceptance Rate Trends (2021-2025)
Year	Columbia, MD Average	Maryland (MD) Average	National Average
2025	52%	77%	79%
2024	65%	77%	81%
2023	80%	78%	81%
2022	25%	76%	81%
2021	25%	77%	81%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.65

0.60

View Data

Diversity Score Trends
Year	Columbia, MD Average	Maryland (MD) Average	National Average
2025	0.65	0.60	0.61
2024	0.65	0.60	0.60
2023	0.63	0.59	0.60
2022	0.51	0.58	0.58
2021	0.51	0.59	0.57
2020	0.51	0.58	0.57
2019	0.71	0.55	0.56
2018	0.71	0.55	0.55
2017	0.71	0.53	0.54
2016	0.71	0.53	0.54
2015	0.71	0.54	0.53

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# American Indian Students

11 Students

245 Students

% American Indian Students

n/a

# Asian Students

67 Students

2,585 Students

% Asian Students

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Trends
Year	Columbia, MD Average	Maryland (MD) Average	National Average
2025	6%	4%	5%
2024	6%	4%	6%
2023	6%	4%	6%
2022	4%	4%	5%
2021	4%	4%	5%
2020	4%	4%	5%
2019	7%	4%	5%
2018	7%	4%	5%
2017	7%	3%	4%
2016	7%	3%	4%
2015	7%	3%	4%

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# Hispanic Students

118 Students

3,298 Students

% Hispanic Students

10%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Trends
Year	Columbia, MD Average	Maryland (MD) Average	National Average
2025	10%	5%	9%
2024	10%	5%	9%
2023	10%	4%	8%
2022	3%	5%	8%
2021	3%	5%	8%
2020	3%	5%	8%
2019	3%	3%	8%
2018	3%	3%	8%
2017	3%	3%	7%
2016	3%	3%	8%
2015	3%	3%	8%

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# Black Students

147 Students

12,725 Students

% Black Students

12%

17%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Trends
Year	Columbia, MD Average	Maryland (MD) Average	National Average
2025	12%	17%	8%
2024	12%	18%	8%
2023	13%	19%	8%
2022	13%	18%	8%
2021	13%	18%	8%
2020	13%	19%	8%
2019	27%	18%	8%
2018	27%	18%	8%
2017	27%	19%	8%
2016	27%	19%	8%
2015	28%	21%	9%

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# White Students

665 Students

43,451 Students

% White Students

55%

59%

View Data

White Student Percentage Trends
Year	Columbia, MD Average	Maryland (MD) Average	National Average
2025	55%	59%	59%
2024	55%	59%	60%
2023	57%	60%	60%
2022	68%	61%	62%
2021	68%	60%	63%
2020	68%	61%	64%
2019	21%	64%	64%
2018	21%	64%	65%
2017	21%	65%	66%
2016	21%	65%	66%
2015	21%	64%	66%

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# Hawaiian Students

3 Students

300 Students

% Hawaiian Students

n/a

# Two or more races Students

n/a

% of Two or more races Students

n/a

# Others Students

188 Students

11,429 Students

% of Others Students

16%

15%

View Data

Other Races Student Percentage Trends
Year	Columbia, MD Average	Maryland (MD) Average	National Average
2025	16%	15%	17%
2024	16%	14%	15%
2023	13%	13%	16%
2022	12%	11%	16%
2021	12%	12%	15%
2020	12%	10%	14%
2019	42%	11%	14%
2018	42%	11%	13%
2017	42%	9%	14%
2016	42%	9%	13%
2015	41%	8%	12%

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All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars

7 extracurriculars

15 extracurriculars

Average Number of Sports

4 sports

10 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private high schools in Columbia, MD?

The private high schools in Columbia, MD include International Connections Academy, Atholton Adventist Academy, and HCHC Leadership Academy.

How many private high schools are located in Columbia?

5 private high schools are located in Columbia.

How diverse are private high schools in Columbia?

Columbia private high schools are approximately 38% minority students, which is higher than the Maryland private school average of 36%.

What percentage of private high schools are religiously affiliated in Columbia?

17% of private high schools in Columbia are religiously affiliated (most commonly Seventh Day Adventist).

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