Average
#689 of 1,363 schools in MD
Harpers Choice Middle
Middle School · Howard County Public Schools
5450 Beaverkill Rd, Columbia, MD 21044
Enrollment
469
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
6.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
469
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
6.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#689 of 1,363
In Columbia
#17 of 23
public schools
In district
#65 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
School environment
8.0 / 10
Excellent
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Harpers Choice Middle
Middle School in Columbia · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Longfellow Elementary
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Swansfield Elementary
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Harpers Choice Middle
Harpers Choice Middle is a public middle school in Columbia, MD, part of Howard County Public Schools. Harpers Choice Middle serves approximately 469 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Harpers Choice Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #689 of 1,363 schools in MD.
Structured state assessment records for Harpers Choice Middle show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.3 · Average
- District avg 8.2
- MD avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
37% of students at Harpers Choice Middle 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Harpers Choice Middle — Students at Harpers Choice Middle score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
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 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: 5.8/10.
How Harpers Choice Middle Compares
See how Harpers Choice Middle 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
5450 Beaverkill Rd, Columbia, MD 21044
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harpers Choice Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Burleigh Manor Middle (rated 9.2/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Ellicott City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Wilde Lake Middle (rated 7.8/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 6.2 |
| Swansfield Elementary Columbia | 0.5 mi | 7.4 |
| COLUMBIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 0.7 mi | — |
| Homewood School Ellicott City | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Wilde Lake Middle Columbia | 0.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Wilde Lake High Columbia | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Bryant Woods Elementary Columbia | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| BRYANT WOODS MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Columbia | 1.1 mi | — |
| Running Brook Elementary Columbia | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| FUSION COLUMBIA Columbia | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Clemens Crossing Elementary Columbia | 2.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Centennial High Ellicott City | 2.2 mi | 8.7 |
| Burleigh Manor Middle Ellicott City | 2.4 mi | 9.2 |
| Atholton High Columbia | 2.6 mi | 7.5 |
| ATHOLTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY Columbia | 2.4 mi | 7.0 |
| MOUNTHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Columbia | 2.8 mi | — |
| Clarksville Elementary Clarksville | 2.2 mi | 9.4 |
| River Hill High Clarksville | 2.3 mi | 8.7 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Brunswick Middle Brunswick, MD | 6.3 |
| Northwest Middle Taneytown, MD | 6.2 |
| Kent County Middle School Chestertown, MD | 6.4 |
| North Carroll Middle Hampstead, MD | 6.4 |
| Cherry Hill Middle Elkton, MD | 6.5 |
| Havre de Grace Middle Havre De Grace, MD | 6.5 |
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 ranks #689 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Harpers Choice Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Harpers Choice Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 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 Harpers Choice Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Harpers Choice Middle has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.9%
- Phone
- (410) 313-6929
Resources & Links
District
Howard County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 57,633
- Schools in District
- 78
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,256
- District Rank
- #65 of 76
Other Schools in This District
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