Very Good
#481 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 35% in state
Harpers Choice Middle
Middle School · Howard County Public Schools
5450 Beaverkill Rd, Columbia, MD 21044
Enrollment
469
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
7.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
469
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
7.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#11 of 23
public schools
Maryland middle schools
#22 of 224
In district
#35 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Harpers Choice Middle
Harpers Choice Middle is a regular public middle school located in Columbia, Maryland. Serving grades six through eight, the school has an enrollment of 469 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.4:1 with 41 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. With a MySchoolScout Rating of 6.3 out of 10, Harpers Choice Middle ranks at #513 among Maryland schools, placing it around the 62nd percentile.
Academically, the school's performance shows areas for improvement, with only 37% of students meeting proficiency standards in ELA/Reading and just 20% achieving proficiency or above in math. Despite these challenges, Harpers Choice Middle focuses on student development and offers a supportive learning environment that encourages growth and engagement. The school is situated in the heart of Columbia, a vibrant community known for its diverse population and commitment to education.
With a setting in a mid-size city, students benefit from access to various resources and extracurricular opportunities within their neighborhood.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Harpers Choice Middle — Students at Harpers Choice Middle score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.3%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.1/10.
How Harpers Choice Middle Compares
See how Harpers Choice Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 26.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 42.1% (2025).
Location
5450 Beaverkill Rd, Columbia, MD 21044
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harpers Choice Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Wilde Lake Middle (rated 6.9/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Burleigh Manor Middle (rated 5.9/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Ellicott City), a more accessible option. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Longfellow Elementary Columbia | 0.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Swansfield Elementary Columbia | 0.5 mi | 9.4 |
| COLUMBIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 0.7 mi | — |
| Homewood School Ellicott City | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Wilde Lake Middle Columbia | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Wilde Lake High Columbia | 1.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Bryant Woods Elementary Columbia | 1.1 mi | 8.3 |
| BRYANT WOODS MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Columbia | 1.1 mi | — |
| Running Brook Elementary Columbia | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| FUSION COLUMBIA Columbia | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Clemens Crossing Elementary Columbia | 2.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Centennial High Ellicott City | 2.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Burleigh Manor Middle Ellicott City | 2.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Atholton High Columbia | 2.6 mi | 5.3 |
| ATHOLTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY Columbia | 2.4 mi | 7.0 |
| MOUNTHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Columbia | 2.8 mi | — |
| Clarksville Elementary Clarksville | 2.2 mi | 5.7 |
| River Hill High Clarksville | 2.3 mi | 5.5 |
| JULIA BROWN SCHOOL Columbia | 2.5 mi | — |
| THE MANDALA SCHOOL INC Columbia | 2.7 mi | — |
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 Harpers Choice Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Murray Hill Middle Laurel, MD | 7.1 |
| Woodlawn Middle Baltimore, MD | 7.1 |
| Braddock Middle Cumberland, MD | 7.0 |
| Calvert Middle Prince Frederick, MD | 7.0 |
| Perryville Middle Perryville, MD | 7.0 |
| Colonel Richardson Middle School Federalsburg, MD | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harpers Choice Middle
What grades does Harpers Choice Middle serve?
Harpers Choice Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Harpers Choice Middle?
Harpers Choice Middle has an enrollment of approximately 469 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harpers Choice Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Harpers Choice Middle is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harpers Choice Middle rank in MD?
Harpers Choice Middle is ranked #481 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Harpers Choice Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Harpers Choice Middle has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Harpers Choice Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harpers Choice Middle has 20.7% math proficiency and 37.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Harpers Choice Middle a charter school?
No, Harpers Choice Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harpers Choice Middle a Title I school?
No, Harpers Choice Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harpers Choice Middle?
53.3% of students at Harpers Choice Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 469
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Howard County
- Phone
- (410) 313-6929
- 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
- #35 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.
Read our full methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.