Top 10 Best Howard County Public Schools (2024)

For the 2024 school year, there are 74 public schools serving 53,690 students in Howard County, MD (there are 45 private schools, serving 7,380 private students). 88% of all K-12 students in Howard County, MD are educated in public schools (compared to the MD state average of 86%). Howard County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Maryland.
The top ranked public schools in Howard County, MD are River Hill High School, Glenelg High School and Centennial High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Howard County, MD public schools have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the Maryland public school average of 19%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 36% statewide average). Schools in Howard County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of Maryland public schools.
Minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Black and Asian), which is more than the Maryland public school average of 66% (majority Black).

Best Howard County Public Schools (2024)

School (Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
River Hill High School
Math: 88% | Reading: 92%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
12101 Clarksville Pike
Clarksville, MD 21029
(410) 313-7120
Grades: 9-12
| 1,508 students
Rank: #22.
Glenelg High School
Math: 87% | Reading: 93%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
14025 Burnt Woods Rd
Glenelg, MD 21737
(410) 313-5528
Grades: 9-12
| 1,298 students
Rank: #33.
Centennial High School
Math: 88% | Reading: 90%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
4300 Centennial Ln
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-2856
Grades: 9-12
| 1,377 students
Rank: #44.
Atholton High School
Math: 73% | Reading: 84%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
6520 Freetown Rd
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-7065
Grades: 9-12
| 1,456 students
Rank: #55.
Mount Hebron High School
Math: 79% | Reading: 80%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
9440 Old Frederick Road
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-2880
Grades: 9-12
| 1,639 students
Rank: #66.
Howard High School
Math: 70% | Reading: 73%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
8700 Old Annapolis Rd
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410) 313-2867
Grades: 9-12
| 1,792 students
Rank: #77.
Reservoir High School
Math: 66% | Reading: 72%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
11550 Scaggsville Rd
Fulton, MD 20759
(410) 888-8850
Grades: 9-12
| 1,814 students
Rank: #88.
Clarksville Middle School
Math: 51% | Reading: 71%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6535 S Trotter Rd
Clarksville, MD 21029
(410) 313-7057
Grades: 6-8
| 665 students
Rank: #99.
Waverly Elementary School
Math: 58% | Reading: 57%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
10220 Wetherburn Rd
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-2819
Grades: PK-5
| 892 students
Rank: #1010.
Pointers Run Elementary School
Math: 57% | Reading: 57%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6600 South Trotter Rd
Clarksville, MD 21029
(410) 313-7142
Grades: PK-5
| 796 students
Rank: #1111.
Centennial Lane Elementary School
Math: 63% | Reading: 55%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3825 Centennial Ln
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-2800
Grades: K-5
| 658 students
Rank: #1212.
Long Reach High School
Math: 46% | Reading: 64%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
6101 Old Dobbin Ln
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7117
Grades: 9-12
| 1,639 students
Rank: #1313.
Clarksville Elementary School
Math: 60% | Reading: 53%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
12041 Clarksville Pike
Clarksville, MD 21029
(410) 313-7050
Grades: K-5
| 539 students
Rank: #1414.
Hammond High School
Math: 48% | Reading: 59%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
8800 Guilford Rd
Columbia, MD 21046
(410) 313-7615
Grades: 9-12
| 1,306 students
Rank: #1515.
Oakland Mills High School
Math: 40-44% | Reading: 64%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
9410 Kilimanjaro Rd
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6945
Grades: 9-12
| 1,336 students
Rank: #1616.
Folly Quarter Middle School
Math: 37% | Reading: 70%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
13500 Triadelphia Rd
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-1506
Grades: 6-8
| 664 students
Rank: #1717.
Burleigh Manor Middle School
Math: 40% | Reading: 66%
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4200 Centennial Lane
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-2507
Grades: 6-8
| 785 students
Rank: #1818.
Worthington Elementary School
Math: 55% | Reading: 50%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4570 Roundhill Rd
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410) 313-2825
Grades: PK-5
| 446 students
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Ilchester Elementary School
Math: 54% | Reading: 50%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4981 Ilchester Rd
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410) 313-2524
Grades: PK-5
| 544 students
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Triadelphia Ridge Elementary School
Math: 52% | Reading: 51%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
13400 Triadelphia Rd
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-2560
Grades: K-5
| 562 students
Rank: #2121.
Manor Woods Elementary School
Math: 50% | Reading: 51%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
11575 Frederick Rd
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-7165
Grades: K-5
| 697 students
Rank: #2222.
West Friendship Elementary School
Math: 49% | Reading: 51%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
12500 Frederick Road
West Friendship, MD 21794
(410) 313-5512
Grades: K-5
| 382 students
Rank: #2323.
Fulton Elementary School
Math: 54% | Reading: 48%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
11600 Scaggsville Rd
Fulton, MD 20759
(410) 880-5957
Grades: PK-5
| 868 students
Rank: #2424.
Wilde Lake High School
Math: 36% | Reading: 63%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5460 Trumpeter Rd
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6965
Grades: 9-12
| 1,360 students
Rank: #2525.
Dayton Oaks
Math: 46% | Reading: 52%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4691 Ten Oaks Rd
Dayton, MD 21036
(410) 313-1571
Grades: PK-5
| 730 students
Rank: #2626.
Northfield Elementary School
Math: 49% | Reading: 49%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
9125 Northfield Rd
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-2806
Grades: K-5
| 718 students
Rank: #2727.
Bushy Park Elementary School
Math: 49% | Reading: 44%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
14601 Carrs Mill Rd
Glenwood, MD 21738
(410) 313-5500
Grades: PK-5
| 620 students
Rank: #2828.
Lime Kiln Middle School
Math: 29% | Reading: 62%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
11650 Scaggsville Rd
Fulton, MD 20759
(410) 880-5988
Grades: 6-8
| 619 students
Rank: #2929.
Rockburn Elementary School
Math: 43% | Reading: 46%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
6145 Montgomery Rd
Elkridge, MD 21075
(410) 313-5030
Grades: PK-5
| 636 students
Rank: #3030.
Veterans Elementary School
Math: 44% | Reading: 44%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4355 Montgomery Road
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410) 313-1700
Grades: PK-5
| 899 students
Rank: #3131.
St. Johns Lane Elementary School
Math: 48% | Reading: 41%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2960 Saint Johns Ln
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-2813
Grades: K-5
| 651 students
Rank: #3232.
Ellicott Mills Middle School
Math: 26% | Reading: 61%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4445 Montgomery Rd
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410) 313-2839
Grades: 6-8
| 725 students
Rank: #3333.
Clemens Crossing Elementary School
Math: 38% | Reading: 45%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
10320 Quarterstaff Rd
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 313-6866
Grades: K-5
| 563 students
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Glenwood Middle School
Math: 26% | Reading: 56%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2680 Rt 97
Glenwood, MD 21738
(410) 313-5520
Grades: 6-8
| 490 students
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Patapsco Middle School
Math: 26% | Reading: 56%
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
8885 Old Frederick Rd
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410) 313-2848
Grades: 6-8
| 663 students
Show 39 more public schools in Howard County, MD (out of 74 total schools)
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[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Howard County, MD

Howard County Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
10960 Grantchester Way
Columbia, MD 21044
(800) 382-6010
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
6700 Cradlerock Way
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7601
Grades: PK-8
| 932 students
6700 Cradlewrock Way
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7607
Grades: 6-8
| 543 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in Howard County, MD?
The top ranked public schools in Howard County, MD include River Hill High School, Glenelg High School and Centennial High School. Howard County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in Maryland.
How many public schools are located in Howard County, MD?
74 public schools are located in Howard County, MD.
What percentage of students in Howard County, MD go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in Howard County, MD are educated in public schools (compared to the MD state average of 86%).
What is the racial composition of students in Howard County, MD?
Howard County, MD public schools minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Black and Asian), which is more than the Maryland public schools average of 66% (majority Black).

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