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Very Good

#397 of 1,363 schools in MD

Top 29% in state

Hammond High

High School · Howard County Public Schools

8800 Guilford Rd, Columbia, MD 21046

Enrollment

1,167

Student-Teacher

13.7:1

Score

7.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#397 of 1,363

In Columbia

#8 of 23

public schools

In district

#50 of 76

Howard County Public Schools

Equity

7.6 / 10

Very Good

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Hammond High

7.5/10

High School in Columbia · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Columbia Academy

7.3/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Atholton Elementary

8.2/10

1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Hammond High

Hammond High is a public high school in Columbia, MD, part of Howard County Public Schools. Hammond High serves approximately 1,167 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Hammond High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #397 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Hammond High show 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.5
  • MD avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

31% of students at Hammond High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.67 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.5% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency78.4% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-16.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+27.3 pts
Overall Proficiency46% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-1.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
College Readiness7.8Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate89%
AP Participation33.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,256
Chronic Absenteeism30.8%

Hammond High — Students at Hammond High score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 70.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 72.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
93%
ELA
88%
2010
Math
97%
ELA
89%
2011
Math
96%
ELA
89%
2012
Math
92%
ELA
85%
2013
Math
93%
ELA
86%
2014
Math
92%
ELA
84%
2015
Math
89%
ELA
80%
2016
Math
85%
ELA
29%
2018
Math
55%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
55%
ELA
62%
2020*
Math
48%
ELA
59%
2021*
Math
48%
ELA
59%
2022
Math
29%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
13.5%
ELA
78.4%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How Hammond High Compares

See how Hammond High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
71th percentile in MD
Academic
7.2/10
Very Good
Growth
7.4/10
Very Good
Environment
7.4/10
Very Good
AP Courses
3
State avg: 3.1
Sports
21
9 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
85 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.8%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
33.4% participation·State avg: 3.1 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics21sports offered
9 boys'·12 girls'·35 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

8800 Guilford Rd, Columbia, MD 21046

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hammond High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Atholton Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Gorman Crossing Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Laurel), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Clemens Crossing Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
COLUMBIA ACADEMY Columbia 1.0 mi 7.3
Atholton Elementary Columbia 1.3 mi 8.2
Gorman Crossing Elementary Laurel 1.6 mi 8.1
Murray Hill Middle Laurel 1.6 mi 7.4
MOUNTHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Columbia 1.5 mi
ATHOLTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY Columbia 1.8 mi 7.0
Hammond Middle Laurel 1.7 mi 7.9
Hammond Elementary Laurel 1.7 mi 8.0
THE MANDALA SCHOOL INC Columbia 1.9 mi
Atholton High Columbia 1.8 mi 7.5
Lake Elkhorn Middle Columbia 1.9 mi 7.4
Clemens Crossing Elementary Columbia 2.0 mi 8.1
Cradlerock Elementary Columbia 1.9 mi 5.8
Guilford Elementary Columbia 1.6 mi 5.9
KNOWLEDGE BEGINNINGS Laurel 1.8 mi
JULIA BROWN SCHOOL Columbia 2.5 mi
Patuxent Valley Middle Jessup 2.2 mi 6.8
Forest Ridge Elementary Laurel 2.5 mi 6.8
Bollman Bridge Elementary Jessup 2.3 mi 5.2
Stevens Forest Elementary Columbia 2.7 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21046 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$126,549

Median Home Value

$469,000

Median Rent

$2,099/mo

Population

15,433

College Educated

62%

Homeownership

62.7%

Avg Commute

25.1 min

Poverty Rate

8.4%

Median Age

37.5

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Atholton High Columbia, MD 7.5
Fallston High Fallston, MD 7.5
Bel Air High Bel Air, MD 7.6
Century High Sykesville, MD 7.6
C. Milton Wright High Bel Air, MD 7.3
Col. Zadok Magruder High Rockville, MD 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hammond High

What grades does Hammond High serve?

Hammond High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Hammond High?

Hammond High has an enrollment of approximately 1,167 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hammond High?

The student-teacher ratio at Hammond High is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hammond High rank in MD?

Hammond High ranks #397 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Hammond High's MySchoolScout rating?

Hammond 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 Hammond High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hammond High has 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Hammond High a charter school?

No, Hammond High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Hammond High a Title I school?

No, Hammond High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hammond High?

38.9% of students at Hammond 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
50 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,167
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
85
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Howard County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.8%
4-Year Graduation
89.0%

District

Howard County Public Schools
District Enrollment
57,633
Schools in District
78
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,256
District Rank
#50 of 76

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