For the 2024-25 school year, there are 13 public high schools serving 16,776 students in Howard County, MD. The top ranked public high schools in Howard County, MD are River Hill High School, Centennial High School and Mount Hebron High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Howard County, MD public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 53% (versus the Maryland public high school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 69% (versus the 56% statewide average). High schools in Howard County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of Maryland public high schools.
Howard County, MD public high school have a Graduation Rate of 94%, which is more than the Maryland average of 87%.
The school with highest graduation rate is River Hill High School, with ≥99% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Maryland or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Black and Asian), which is more than the Maryland public high school average of 67% (majority Black).
Best Public High Schools in Howard County (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
River Hill High School
Magnet School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
12101 Clarksville Pike
Clarksville, MD 21029
(410) 313-7120
Clarksville, MD 21029
(410) 313-7120
Grades: 9-12
| 1,424 students
Rank: #22.
Centennial High School
Magnet School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
4300 Centennial Ln
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-2856
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-2856
Grades: 9-12
| 1,392 students
Rank: #33.
Mount Hebron High School
Magnet School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
9440 Old Frederick Road
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-2880
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-2880
Grades: 9-12
| 1,621 students
Rank: #44.
Glenelg High School
Magnet School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
14025 Burnt Woods Rd
Glenelg, MD 21737
(410) 313-5528
Glenelg, MD 21737
(410) 313-5528
Grades: 9-12
| 1,339 students
Rank: #55.
Howard High School
Magnet School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
8700 Old Annapolis Rd
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410) 313-2867
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410) 313-2867
Grades: 9-12
| 1,741 students
Rank: #66.
Atholton High School
Magnet School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6520 Freetown Rd
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-7065
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-7065
Grades: 9-12
| 1,467 students
Rank: #77.
Reservoir High School
Magnet School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
11550 Scaggsville Rd
Fulton, MD 20759
(410) 888-8850
Fulton, MD 20759
(410) 888-8850
Grades: 9-12
| 1,837 students
Rank: #88.
Homewood School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
10914 Clarksville Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-7081
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-7081
Grades: 7-12
| 88 students
Rank: #99.
Oakland Mills High School
Magnet School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
9410 Kilimanjaro Rd
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6945
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6945
Grades: 9-12
| 1,401 students
Rank: #1010.
Hammond High School
Magnet School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
8800 Guilford Rd
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 313-7615
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 313-7615
Grades: 9-12
| 1,287 students
Rank: #1111.
Wilde Lake High School
Magnet School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5460 Trumpeter Rd
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6965
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6965
Grades: 9-12
| 1,341 students
Rank: #1212.
Long Reach High School
Magnet School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6101 Old Dobbin Ln
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7117
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7117
Grades: 9-12
| 1,714 students
Rank: #1313.
Cedar Lane Special Center
Special Education School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
11630 Scaggsville Rd
Fulton, MD 20759
(410) 888-8800
Fulton, MD 20759
(410) 888-8800
Grades: PK-12
| 124 students
Howard County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
10960 Grantchester Way
Columbia, MD 21044
(800) 382-6010
Columbia, MD 21044
(800) 382-6010
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
6700 Cradlerock Way
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7601
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7601
Grades: PK-8
| 932 students
6700 Cradlewrock Way
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7607
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7607
Grades: 6-8
| 543 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public high schools in Howard County, MD?
The top ranked public high schools in Howard County, MD include River Hill High School, Centennial High School and Mount Hebron High School. Howard County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Maryland.
How many public high schools are located in Howard County?
13 public high schools are located in Howard County.
What is the racial composition of students in Howard County?
Howard County public high schools minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Black and Asian), which is more than the Maryland public high schools average of 67% (majority Black).
Which public high schools in Howard County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Howard County include: Long Reach High School vs. Howard High School, Howard High School vs. Long Reach High School, Glenelg High School vs. River Hill High School
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