Average
#879 of 1,363 schools in MD
Centennial High
High School · Howard County Public Schools
4300 Centennial Ln, Ellicott City, MD 21042
Enrollment
1,364
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,364
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ellicott City
#18 of 21
public schools
Maryland high schools
#55 of 226
In district
#61 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
About Centennial High
Centennial High serves 1,364 students in grades 9-12 in Ellicott City, Maryland, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing public high schools. Ranked 58th out of 1,364 Maryland schools, placing it in the 96th percentile statewide, the school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement with 88% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and 75% reaching proficiency in mathematics. With 85 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining a 16:1 student-teacher ratio, Centennial High provides a well-supported learning environment that clearly translates to strong student outcomes.
The school's impressive 9.9 out of 10 academic score reflects its commitment to educational excellence and student success. Located at 4300 Centennial Lane, the school serves a highly educated community where 73% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $178,207. This affluent suburban setting, with a low poverty rate of just 4.1% and median home values of $650,900, creates a stable foundation that supports the school's academic mission.
Centennial High stands as a flagship institution in Howard County, combining strong academic performance with the resources of a thriving suburban community that values education and student achievement.
Score Breakdown
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Centennial High — Students at Centennial High score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
17.8%
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 Centennial High Compares
See how Centennial High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 84% (2019) to 15.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 80% (2019) to 83.6% (2025).
Location
4300 Centennial Ln, Ellicott City, MD 21042
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Centennial High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. FUSION COLUMBIA (rated 6.9/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Columbia), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wilde Lake High (rated 5.8/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Columbia), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Homewood School (rated 5.0/10, 1.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Ellicott City, see our Ellicott City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Burleigh Manor Middle Ellicott City | 0.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Centennial Lane Elementary Ellicott City | 1.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Running Brook Elementary Columbia | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Homewood School Ellicott City | 1.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Longfellow Elementary Columbia | 2.0 mi | 4.9 |
| BRYANT WOODS MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Columbia | 2.1 mi | — |
| COLUMBIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 2.1 mi | — |
| Bryant Woods Elementary Columbia | 2.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Harpers Choice Middle Columbia | 2.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Wilde Lake High Columbia | 2.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Dunloggin Middle Ellicott City | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Wilde Lake Middle Columbia | 2.5 mi | 6.9 |
| FUSION COLUMBIA Columbia | 2.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Northfield Elementary Ellicott City | 2.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Swansfield Elementary Columbia | 2.7 mi | 9.4 |
| Thunder Hill Elementary Columbia | 2.5 mi | 6.0 |
| ST JOHNS PARISH DAY SCHOOL Ellicott City | 2.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Talbott Springs Elementary Columbia | 3.1 mi | 7.2 |
| RESURRECTION ST PAUL SCHOOL Ellicott City | 2.9 mi | 5.2 |
| NURTURING NEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 3.3 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21042 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$190,504
Median Home Value
$674,700
Median Rent
$2,253/mo
Population
43,021
College Educated
74.7%
Homeownership
85.4%
Avg Commute
29.3 min
Poverty Rate
2.7%
Median Age
45
Community Profile
The community surrounding Centennial High has a median household income of $190,504. It is a well-educated community where 75% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $674,700, with a median rent of $2,253/month. The local poverty rate of 2.7% 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 |
|---|---|
| Liberty High Sykesville, MD | 5.8 |
| Oxon Hill High Oxon Hill, MD | 5.8 |
| Sherwood High Sandy Spring, MD | 5.8 |
| South River High Edgewater, MD | 5.8 |
| Wilde Lake High Columbia, MD | 5.8 |
| Howard High Ellicott City, MD | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Centennial High
What grades does Centennial High serve?
Centennial High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Centennial High?
Centennial High has an enrollment of approximately 1,364 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Centennial High?
The student-teacher ratio at Centennial High is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Centennial High rank in MD?
Centennial High is ranked #879 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Centennial High's MySchoolScout rating?
Centennial High has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Centennial High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Centennial High has 65.6% math proficiency and 85.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Centennial High a charter school?
No, Centennial High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Centennial High a Title I school?
No, Centennial High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Centennial High?
17.8% of students at Centennial 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.
Neighborhood Context
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FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,364
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 85
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 17.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Howard County
- Phone
- (410) 313-2856
- 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
- #61 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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