Very Good
#396 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 29% in state
Atholton High
High School · Howard County Public Schools
6520 Freetown Rd, Columbia, MD 21044
Enrollment
1,498
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
7.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,498
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
7.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#396 of 1,363
In Columbia
#7 of 23
public schools
In district
#49 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
Academic growth
8.4 / 10
Excellent
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Atholton High
High School in Columbia · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mounthaven Christian Academy
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Clemens Crossing Elementary
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Atholton High
Atholton High is a public high school in Columbia, MD, part of Howard County Public Schools. Atholton High serves approximately 1,498 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Atholton High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #396 of 1,363 schools in MD.
Structured state assessment records for Atholton High show 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 85% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.5 · Very Good
- District avg 7.5
- MD avg 6.1
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Atholton High — Students at Atholton High score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
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 28 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: 8.4/10.
How Atholton High Compares
See how Atholton High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
6520 Freetown Rd, Columbia, MD 21044
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Atholton High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Hammond High (rated 7.5/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is FUSION COLUMBIA (rated 6.9/10, 2.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Wilde Lake High (rated 6.3/10, 2.0 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 | 8.1 |
| COLUMBIA ACADEMY Columbia | 0.8 mi | 7.3 |
| ATHOLTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY Columbia | 0.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Atholton Elementary Columbia | 0.9 mi | 8.2 |
| THE MANDALA SCHOOL INC Columbia | 1.5 mi | — |
| Hammond High Columbia | 1.8 mi | 7.5 |
| KNOWLEDGE BEGINNINGS Laurel | 1.9 mi | — |
| Wilde Lake Middle Columbia | 2.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Swansfield Elementary Columbia | 2.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Wilde Lake High Columbia | 2.0 mi | 6.3 |
| JULIA BROWN SCHOOL Columbia | 1.9 mi | — |
| COLUMBIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 2.4 mi | — |
| Bryant Woods Elementary Columbia | 2.4 mi | 6.7 |
| BRYANT WOODS MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Columbia | 2.5 mi | — |
| FUSION COLUMBIA Columbia | 2.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Harpers Choice Middle Columbia | 2.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Lake Elkhorn Middle Columbia | 2.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Cradlerock Elementary Columbia | 2.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Longfellow Elementary Columbia | 2.6 mi | 6.2 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Fallston High Fallston, MD | 7.5 |
| Hammond High Columbia, MD | 7.5 |
| Reservoir High Fulton, MD | 7.5 |
| Sherwood High Sandy Spring, MD | 7.5 |
| Bel Air High Bel Air, MD | 7.6 |
| Century High Sykesville, MD | 7.6 |
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 ranks #396 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Atholton High's MySchoolScout rating?
Atholton High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Atholton High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Atholton High has 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 85% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 21.6%
- Phone
- (410) 313-7065
- 4-Year Graduation
- 96.0%
Resources & Links
District
Howard County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 57,633
- Schools in District
- 78
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,256
- District Rank
- #49 of 76
Other Schools in This District
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