For the 2025-26 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 (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,462 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,364 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,518 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,367 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,529 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,498 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,729 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,167 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,422 student Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,270 student Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,448 student Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
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
Gr: 6-12 | 131 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
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
Gr: PK-12 | 132 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
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
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
8500 Ridgelys Run Rd
Jessup, MD 20794
(410) 313-7430
Jessup, MD 20794
(410) 313-7430
Gr: 9-10 | 779 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Howard County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
6700 Cradlerock Way
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7601
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7601
Gr: PK-8 | 932 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
6700 Cradlewrock Way
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7607
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7607
Gr: 6-8 | 543 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
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
Texas Schools Enrollment Trends & Policy in 2025
Latest data and policy changes on Texas public school enrollment growth, funding, and virtual education in 2025.
Financial Aid & Hidden Costs in Public Schools
Learn about financial aid and hidden costs in public schools. Discover what parents should budget for beyond tuition-free education.
NYC Schools Still Most Segregated in 2025
Despite reforms, New York City schools remain the most segregated in the U.S. in 2025. Here鈥檚 what parents and educators need to know.
