new to Columbia-need to know what school district is good

[Anonymous]

Hi! we are about to relocate to the Columbia, MD area (don't have address yet but my husband will be commuting to Silver Spring) and I need to find a Pre-K program for my 4 year old. I also need recommendations for what public school district we should try to live in Columbia so he can go to K next year. thanks!!! I am overwhelmed and don't know where to start the research.

[Anonymous]

Look at Clemens Crossing or Thunder Hill elementary schools.

[Anonymous]

Atholton high and feeder schools. Clemons Crossing is one.

[Anonymous]

Columbia Academy for Pre-K.

I have friends who like Goddard as well.

A nice part-time preschool is at United Methodist on Scaggsville Rd. off Route 29.

[Anonymous]

Columbia is part of the Howard County Public School System. Go to http://www.hcpss.org or type in Howard County Maryland Public Schools in your search engine. When you click on each school link on the Howard County Public School Site it will give you data like test scores, boundary maps, demographics, etc. Each school in Howard County has their own website that tells you about the school, their programs, PTA information, etc. Some schools even have teacher's pages, PTA pages, etc.

Also, you could go to Great Schools http://www.greatschools.org However, great schools only offer state test scores and randon reviews by parents. So, keep that in mind. You could try to schedule a tour or a visit with a counselor or an assistant principal at the school to get a better feel.


I will also highly recommend Clemens Crossing Elementary School. Clemens Crossing feeds into Atholton High. Atholton is a great high school. Checkout Pointers Run and Clarksville Elementary Schools in Clarksville, MD (which is the right next door to Columbia). Pointers Run and Clarksville feed into River Hill High School. Ellicott City has some awesome schools. Schools feeding into Centennial High are all awesome. However, the commute from EC to Silver Spring will be longer.

By the way, there is a new master planned community called, "Maple Lawn" in Fulton, MD. The schools there (Fulton Elementary, Lime Kiln Middle, and Reservoir High) are fairly new though.