Howard High School is a public high school located in Ellicott City, Maryland, United States. It is part of the Howard County Public School System, and serves families from Ellicott City, Elkridge, Hanover and Columbia.
Serving 1,529 students in grades 9-12, Howard High School ranks in the top 10% of all schools in Maryland for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 10%, and reading proficiency is top 10%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 56% (which is higher than the Maryland state average of 25%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 79% (which is higher than the Maryland state average of 45%).
The student:teacher ratio of 15:1 is higher than the Maryland state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Asian and Black), which is lower than the Maryland state average of 68% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,529 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 15:1
- Minority Enrollment: 64%
- Graduation Rate: 97% (Top 10% in MD)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 10%
- Math Proficiency: 56% (Top 10%)
- Reading Proficiency: 79% (Top 5%)
- Science Proficiency: 62% (Top 10%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MD Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Howard High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Maryland for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Graduation Rate
Diversity
School Overview
Howard High School's student population of 1,529 students has declined by 19% over five school years.
The teacher population of 101 teachers has declined by 17% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
1,529 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
101 teachers
Year Founded
1952
Colors
White, Grey, Navy Blue
School Rankings
Howard High School ranks within the top 10% of all 1,347 schools in Maryland (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Howard High School is 0.74, which is equal to the diversity score at state average of 0.74. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#84 out of 1347 schools
(Top 10%)
(Top 10%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
56%
25%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
79%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
62%
36%
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
14:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
26%
7%
Hispanic
7%
23%
Black
24%
33%
White
36%
32%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
7%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
97%
86%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
17%
44%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MD Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Lion
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Howard High School's ranking?
Howard High School is ranked #84 out of 1,347 schools, which ranks it among the top 10% of public schools in Maryland.
What schools are Howard High School often compared to?
Howard High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Long Reach High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
56% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 25% MD state average), while 79% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 45% MD state average).
What is the graduation rate of Howard High School?
The graduation rate of Howard High School is 97%, which is higher than the Maryland state average of 86%.
How many students attend Howard High School?
1,529 students attend Howard High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
36% of Howard High School students are White, 26% of students are Asian, 24% of students are Black, 7% of students are Hispanic, and 7% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Howard High School?
Howard High School has a student ration of 15:1, which is higher than the Maryland state average of 14:1.
What grades does Howard High School offer ?
Howard High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Howard High School part of?
Howard High School is part of Howard County School District.
In what neighborhood is Howard High School located?
Howard High School is located in the Jonestown neighborhood of Ellicott City, MD.
School Reviews
Review Howard High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
