For the 2025 school year, there are 15 public high schools serving 16,816 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 55% (versus the Maryland public high school average of 34%), 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 92%, which is more than the Maryland average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Centennial High School, with 98% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Maryland or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 70% of the student body (majority Black and Asian), which is more than the Maryland public high school average of 68% (majority Black).
Best Public High Schools in Howard County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
River Hill High School
(Math: 84% | 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
| 1,462 students
Rank: #22.
Centennial High School
(Math: 77% | 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
| 1,364 students
Rank: #33.
Mount Hebron High School
(Math: 71% | 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
| 1,518 students
Rank: #44.
Glenelg High School
(Math: 73% | 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
| 1,367 students
Rank: #55.
Howard High School
(Math: 60% | 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
| 1,529 students
Rank: #66.
Atholton High School
(Math: 58% | 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
| 1,498 students
Rank: #77.
Reservoir High School
(Math: 43% | 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
| 1,729 students
Rank: #88.
Hammond High School
(Math: 35% | 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
| 1,167 students
Rank: #99.
Oakland Mills High School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
9410 Kilimanjaro Rd
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6945
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-6945
Grades: 9-12
| 1,422 students
Rank: #1010.
Wilde Lake High School
(Math: 42% | 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
| 1,270 students
Rank: #1111.
Long Reach High School
(Math: 29% | 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
| 1,448 students
Rank: #1212.
Homewood School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
10914 Clarksville Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-7081
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-7081
Grades: 6-12
| 131 students
Rank: #1313.
Cedar Lane Special Center
Special Education 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
| 132 students
Rank: n/an/a
Applications And Research Laboratory
Alternative School
10920 Clarksville Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-6698
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-6698
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
8500 Ridgelys Run Rd
Jessup, MD 20794
(410) 313-7430
Jessup, MD 20794
(410) 313-7430
Grades: 9-10
| 779 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?
15 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 70% of the student body (majority Black and Asian), which is more than the Maryland public high schools average of 68% (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, Mount Hebron High School vs. Centennial High School
Recent Articles
The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.
Florida Governor Calls for More Funding for State鈥檚 Public School System
Florida Governor Rick Scott has introduced a state budget for next year that pumps one billion more dollars into the public school system. We鈥檒l look at his reasons for the increase and the responses to the proposal.
Can Your Child鈥檚 School Meet the National Standards?
The article discusses the challenges public schools face in meeting national educational standards. It examines current performance trends, identifies key issues affecting student achievement, and explores potential solutions for improving academic outcomes across U.S. public schools.
