Average
#1041 of 1,363 schools in MD
Atholton High
High School · Howard County Public Schools
6520 Freetown Rd, Columbia, MD 21044
Enrollment
1,498
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,498
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#22 of 23
public schools
Maryland high schools
#109 of 226
In district
#71 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
About Atholton High
Atholton High serves 1,498 students in grades 9-12 in Columbia, Maryland, earning recognition as one of Howard County's stronger academic performers. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranking 199th out of 1,364 Maryland high schools, the school places in the 86th percentile statewide. The school maintains a manageable 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio with 93 full-time equivalent teachers supporting student learning.
Academically, Atholton High demonstrates solid performance with 66% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 54% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to preparing students for post-secondary success in a community that values education highly. The school draws from an affluent and well-educated community in the 21044 ZIP code, where 67% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $123,658.
With a low poverty rate of 8.0% and median home values around $514,400, the neighborhood provides a stable foundation for student achievement. Located on Freetown Road in the planned community of Columbia, Atholton High benefits from being situated in a mid-size city environment that balances suburban amenities with educational opportunities.
Score Breakdown
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Atholton High — Students at Atholton High score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
24%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.5/10.
How Atholton High Compares
See how Atholton High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 73% (2019) to 7.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 75% (2019) to 76.3% (2025).
Location
6520 Freetown Rd, Columbia, MD 21044
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Atholton High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. FUSION COLUMBIA (rated 6.9/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hammond High (rated 6.2/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Wilde Lake High (rated 5.8/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MOUNTHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Columbia | 0.3 mi | — |
| Clemens Crossing Elementary Columbia | 0.6 mi | 7.2 |
| COLUMBIA ACADEMY Columbia | 0.8 mi | 7.3 |
| ATHOLTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY Columbia | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Atholton Elementary Columbia | 0.9 mi | 7.4 |
| THE MANDALA SCHOOL INC Columbia | 1.5 mi | — |
| Hammond High Columbia | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| KNOWLEDGE BEGINNINGS Laurel | 1.9 mi | — |
| Wilde Lake Middle Columbia | 2.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Swansfield Elementary Columbia | 2.0 mi | 9.4 |
| Wilde Lake High Columbia | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
| JULIA BROWN SCHOOL Columbia | 1.9 mi | — |
| COLUMBIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 2.4 mi | — |
| Bryant Woods Elementary Columbia | 2.4 mi | 8.3 |
| BRYANT WOODS MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Columbia | 2.5 mi | — |
| FUSION COLUMBIA Columbia | 2.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Harpers Choice Middle Columbia | 2.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Lake Elkhorn Middle Columbia | 2.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Cradlerock Elementary Columbia | 2.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Longfellow Elementary Columbia | 2.6 mi | 4.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21044 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$132,924
Median Home Value
$541,100
Median Rent
$2,096/mo
Population
44,775
College Educated
67.3%
Homeownership
61.3%
Avg Commute
29.4 min
Poverty Rate
7.1%
Median Age
39.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Atholton High has a median household income of $132,924. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $541,100, with a median rent of $2,096/month. The local poverty rate of 7.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Crofton High School Gambrills, MD | 5.3 |
| Hereford High Parkton, MD | 5.3 |
| New Town High Owings Mills, MD | 5.3 |
| Arundel High Gambrills, MD | 5.2 |
| C. Milton Wright High Bel Air, MD | 5.2 |
| Catonsville High Baltimore, MD | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Atholton High
What grades does Atholton High serve?
Atholton High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Atholton High?
Atholton High has an enrollment of approximately 1,498 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Atholton High?
The student-teacher ratio at Atholton High is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Atholton High rank in MD?
Atholton High is ranked #1041 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Atholton High's MySchoolScout rating?
Atholton High has a composite rating of 5.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Atholton High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Atholton High has 51.8% math proficiency and 75.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Atholton High a charter school?
No, Atholton High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Atholton High a Title I school?
No, Atholton High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Atholton High?
24.0% of students at Atholton High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,498
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 93
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 24.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Howard County
- Phone
- (410) 313-7065
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Howard County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 57,633
- Schools in District
- 78
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,256
- District Rank
- #71 of 76
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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