The Best Private Schools in Columbia, Maryland
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Columbia. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
The Banner School
Independent
The Banner School provides an exceptional private education serving families from Columbia and surrounding areas. The school offers a unique Montessori-inspired approach for younger students transitioning to a more structured middle school preparatory program. Known for its nurturing environment and strong academic foundation, the school features small class sizes, individualized learning plans, and comprehensive enrichment programs including arts, music, and foreign language instruction. The campus includes modern classrooms, science labs, and outdoor learning spaces that support holistic student development.
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The Bryn Mawr School
Independent
While located in Baltimore, The Bryn Mawr School serves families throughout the region including Columbia, offering an exceptional all-girls education from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The school is renowned for its academic excellence, particularly in STEM fields where it has received national recognition. Students benefit from a challenging curriculum, outstanding faculty, and extensive facilities including science centers, art studios, and athletic complexes. The school emphasizes leadership development, community service, and preparing young women for success in college and beyond, with a strong track record of Ivy League placements.
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Glenelg Country School
Independent
Glenelg Country School is a highly-regarded independent school serving the Columbia area with a comprehensive college preparatory program. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum from preschool through 12th grade, featuring advanced STEM programs, extensive arts opportunities, and competitive athletics. With a 8:1 student-teacher ratio, students receive personalized attention in state-of-the-art facilities including science labs, performing arts centers, and athletic complexes. The school emphasizes character development and community engagement while maintaining strong college placement records.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Columbia, Maryland
What are the main types of private schools available to families in Columbia, MD, and how do they differ?
Columbia, MD, offers a diverse range of private school options, primarily including independent college-preparatory day schools, single-sex schools, and smaller progressive institutions. For example, Glenelg Country School is a prominent co-ed, independent school in nearby Ellicott City serving Columbia families with a comprehensive Pre-K through 12 program. The Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore is a highly-regarded all-girls school with a strong academic tradition that attracts students from Columbia. Locally in Frederick, The Banner School offers a progressive, project-based K-8 education. Columbia itself is part of Howard County, which has excellent public schools, so the local private market is characterized by schools offering specific pedagogical approaches (like Montessori or progressive), religious education (various Christian and Jewish day schools in the broader region), or a particular focus on college preparation that some families seek beyond the public system.
How does tuition for private schools in the Columbia, MD, area compare, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in the Columbia region varies significantly based on grade level and school type. For the 2024-2025 academic year, expect ranges from approximately $20,000-$25,000 for lower school grades to $30,000-$40,000+ for upper school at premier independent day schools like Glenelg Country School. Schools like The Banner School may have slightly lower tuition. Maryland has several financial aid resources. Most private schools offer need-based financial aid through their own endowments and use assessment services like SSS (School and Student Services). Additionally, Maryland’s Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Scholarship Program provides state-funded vouchers for eligible families to use at participating private schools, which can be a significant help. It's crucial to inquire directly with each school about their aid deadlines and policies.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Columbia, MD, offer that distinguish them from public options?
Private schools in the Columbia area often leverage their independence to offer specialized programs not always available in the public sector. Glenelg Country School, for instance, features a renowned Global Studies program with travel opportunities, a robust visual and performing arts department, and competitive athletic conferences. The Bryn Mawr School emphasizes STEM and leadership initiatives for young women, with state-of-the-art labs and partnerships with Baltimore institutions. Many area private schools also have smaller average class sizes, allowing for more individualized attention and innovative curricula like intensive foreign language immersion, advanced research projects, or integrated technology programs. These schools often have more flexibility in their curriculum design to focus on specific educational philosophies.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools serving Columbia, MD families?
The admission process for competitive private schools in the Columbia area is cyclical and begins early. For entry in Fall 2025, the ideal timeline starts in the summer or early fall of 2024. Key steps include: 1) Attending open houses (often held September-November), 2) Submitting applications by January deadlines (with some schools having earlier deadlines for siblings/legacies), 3) Completing student assessments and interviews (usually in January-February), and 4) Receiving admission decisions in mid-March. Many schools also have a re-enrollment period for current families in the winter, which determines available spaces for new applicants. Given that many families from Columbia apply to the same set of top schools, starting early and being organized is critical. Rolling admission may be available for some grades if spaces remain.
For a family living in Columbia, what are the key logistical considerations regarding transportation and community for private school students?
A major consideration for Columbia families choosing a private school is transportation, as most schools do not provide public bus service. Parents often form carpools with other families from Columbia, Howard County, and surrounding areas. The commute to schools like Glenelg Country School or those in Baltimore (like Bryn Mawr) can range from 20 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. This commute time impacts daily schedules and after-school activity participation. On the community front, private schools often draw students from a wide geographic radius, so your child’s peer group may be less neighborhood-based than in public school. However, these schools actively foster their own tight-knit communities through events, parent associations, and extracurriculars, which can help Columbia families integrate despite the geographic spread.
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