Excellent
#282 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 21% in state
Howard High
High School · Howard County Public Schools
8700 Old Annapolis Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Enrollment
1,529
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
8.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,529
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
8.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#282 of 1,363
In Ellicott City
#20 of 21
public schools
In district
#42 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
Academic growth
8.9 / 10
Excellent
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Howard High
High School in Ellicott City · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Phelps Luck Elementary
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
The Goddard School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Howard High
Howard High is a public high school in Ellicott City, MD, part of Howard County Public Schools. Howard High serves approximately 1,529 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Howard High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #282 of 1,363 schools in MD.
Structured state assessment records for Howard High show 83% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.0 · Excellent
- District avg 7.5
- MD avg 6.1
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Howard High — Students at Howard High score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
19.6%
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: 8.9/10.
How Howard High Compares
See how Howard 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
8700 Old Annapolis Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Howard High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Oakland Mills High (rated 6.6/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Columbia), a more accessible option. Additionally, Long Reach High (rated 6.1/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Columbia), a more accessible option. For more schools in Ellicott City, see our Ellicott City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Phelps Luck Elementary Columbia | 0.4 mi | 7.6 |
| THE GODDARD SCHOOL Ellicott City | 0.8 mi | 7.6 |
| GLOBAL CHILDREN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ellicott City | 1.1 mi | — |
| Long Reach High Columbia | 1.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Thunder Hill Elementary Columbia | 1.2 mi | 6.6 |
| CHILDREN'S MANOR MONTESSORI Ellicott City | 1.6 mi | — |
| Ellicott Mills Middle Ellicott City | 1.6 mi | 9.1 |
| Waterloo Elementary Columbia | 1.6 mi | 9.1 |
| Jeffers Hill Elementary Columbia | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Worthington Elementary Ellicott City | 1.6 mi | 9.8 |
| Veterans Elementary Ellicott City | 1.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Oakland Mills High Columbia | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Talbott Springs Elementary Columbia | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Northfield Elementary Ellicott City | 2.2 mi | 8.9 |
| Bellows Spring Elementary Ellicott City | 2.1 mi | 8.7 |
| Dunloggin Middle Ellicott City | 2.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Oakland Mills Middle Columbia | 2.1 mi | 7.3 |
| NURTURING NEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 2.1 mi | — |
| Stevens Forest Elementary Columbia | 2.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Ilchester Elementary Ellicott City | 2.1 mi | 9.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21043 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$141,846
Median Home Value
$607,300
Median Rent
$1,964/mo
Population
47,134
College Educated
64.3%
Homeownership
67.3%
Avg Commute
28.5 min
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Median Age
39.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Liberty High Sykesville, MD | 8.0 |
| Baltimore City College Baltimore, MD | 7.9 |
| Hereford High Parkton, MD | 7.9 |
| Severna Park High Severna Park, MD | 7.9 |
| South River High Edgewater, MD | 7.9 |
| Walt Whitman High Bethesda, MD | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Howard High
What grades does Howard High serve?
Howard High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Howard High?
Howard High has an enrollment of approximately 1,529 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Howard High?
The student-teacher ratio at Howard High is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Howard High rank in MD?
Howard High ranks #282 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Howard High's MySchoolScout rating?
Howard High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 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 Howard High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Howard High has 83% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 84% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Howard High a charter school?
No, Howard High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Howard High a Title I school?
No, Howard High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Howard High?
19.6% of students at Howard 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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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,529
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 100
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 19.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Howard County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 25.6%
- Phone
- (410) 313-2867
- 4-Year Graduation
- 97.0%
Resources & Links
District
Howard County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 57,633
- Schools in District
- 78
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,256
- District Rank
- #42 of 76
Other Schools in This District
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