Schools in Columbia, MD?

[Anonymous]

We'll be moving back to MD soon, from abroad. We're considering moving to the Columbia area to be closer to my husband's job (we were in Silver Spring before). Does anyone have any opinions/knowledge about schools there? We will have one kid in 2nd or 3rd grade and one just starting Kindergarten. I've been looking at school reports and stats online, but that can only tell you a little about what the schools are actually like. Thanks for any info...

[Anonymous]

Almost all of them are great. Stay away from whatever schools Whiskey Bottom (part of North Laurel) feed into, including its new high school (Reservoir). Some older parts of Columbia can have some serious crime problems (and therefore not-so-great schools), like parts of Owen Brown and Wilde Lake.

[Anonymous]

Depends- not all of North Laurel is bad- there is Emerson Community which feeds into Gorman Crossing Elementary - excellent, Murray Hill Middle - previously not the best, but I would categorize as good b/c of so many new homes and Atholton High School - good /excellent.

Now- North Laurel portion that feeds into Laurel Woods Elementary, Patuxent Valley Middle, Reservoir Hammond, I would agree with PP.

Ellicott City is also good, but depends if you need to be close to DC- traffic is brutal there. Best schools overall are probably River Hill area off 108/32.