Howard is the best, but Anne Arundel has a very really good school pyramids. They are Severna Park HS, Broadneck HS, Arundel HS, Crofton HS, and South River HS. If you’re looking for strong elementary schools, maybe look into homes zoned for Four Seasons Elementary in Gambrills? It’s in the top 2 elementary schools in Anne Arundel County, and it is close to Hanover. You may find options you in your price range in Crofton and Arnold as well.

I would consider southern Howard County in the Hammond MS, Atholton HS pyramid. That's where we are. We have a townhome well within your price range and our kids are getting a good education. We commute to Greenbelt and New Carrollton part-time (we both telework regularly) and it is not a problem. There are several ES that feed into Hammond MS that would work pretty well for you, so there are a number of neighborhoods that would work well.

With that budget, townhome in Crofton, feeding to new Crofton HS. Strong pyramids are strong pyramids.
Search by school pyramids Atholton HS or Howard HS for other possibilities in your price range.

I have four kids. Preschool and elementary age. I work from home and commute a few times a week to Beltsville and Baltimore(on different days) My husband commutes to Hanover MD and Baltimore City everyday for work (both locations)

I am looking for somewhere with good public schools and that will make commutes easier. Areas I am considering are Ellicott City, Gambrills, Columbia and Hanover(hoco side). I doubt we will be in house forever so focus is mostly strong elementary and middle schools. I would like to be close to be around around 450k.