Average
#919 of 1,363 schools in MD
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
5.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,529
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
5.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ellicott City
#19 of 21
public schools
Maryland high schools
#67 of 226
In district
#64 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
About Howard High
Howard High serves 1,529 students in grades 9-12 in Ellicott City, Maryland, earning a strong 7.7 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school ranks impressively at #95 out of 1,364 Maryland high schools, placing it in the 93rd percentile statewide with an outstanding academic score of 9.4 out of 10. With 100 full-time equivalent teachers, Howard High maintains a manageable 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio that supports personalized attention.
Academic performance is notably strong in English Language Arts, where 79% of students score proficient or above across grade levels. In mathematics, 56% of students achieve proficiency, indicating solid progress with room for continued growth in this subject area. The school draws from an affluent and highly educated community in the 21043 zip code, where the median household income reaches $145,000 and 66% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
With a low poverty rate of just 4.6% and median home values of $579,600, the area reflects a stable, education-focused environment. Howard High operates as a regular public school in Ellicott City's mid-size city setting, benefiting from Howard County's reputation for educational excellence and strong community support for academic achievement.
Score Breakdown
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Howard High — Students at Howard High score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
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 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: 1.6/10.
How Howard High Compares
See how Howard High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 10.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 74% (2019) to 78.2% (2025).
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. Long Reach High (rated 6.1/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Columbia), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Oakland Mills High (rated 6.1/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Columbia), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 8.7 |
| 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 | 6.0 |
| CHILDREN'S MANOR MONTESSORI Ellicott City | 1.6 mi | — |
| Ellicott Mills Middle Ellicott City | 1.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Waterloo Elementary Columbia | 1.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Jeffers Hill Elementary Columbia | 1.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Worthington Elementary Ellicott City | 1.6 mi | 9.0 |
| Veterans Elementary Ellicott City | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Oakland Mills High Columbia | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Talbott Springs Elementary Columbia | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Northfield Elementary Ellicott City | 2.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Bellows Spring Elementary Ellicott City | 2.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Dunloggin Middle Ellicott City | 2.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Oakland Mills Middle Columbia | 2.1 mi | 7.4 |
| NURTURING NEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 2.1 mi | — |
| Stevens Forest Elementary Columbia | 2.3 mi | 8.9 |
| Ilchester Elementary Ellicott City | 2.1 mi | 7.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Howard High has a median household income of $141,846. It is a well-educated community where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $607,300, with a median rent of $1,964/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% 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 |
|---|---|
| John F. Kennedy High Silver Spring, MD | 5.7 |
| Marriotts Ridge High Marriottsville, MD | 5.7 |
| Centennial High Ellicott City, MD | 5.8 |
| Liberty High Sykesville, MD | 5.8 |
| Oxon Hill High Oxon Hill, MD | 5.8 |
| Sherwood High Sandy Spring, MD | 5.8 |
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 is ranked #919 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Howard High's MySchoolScout rating?
Howard High has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Howard High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Howard High has 53.4% math proficiency and 76.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- Phone
- (410) 313-2867
- 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
- #64 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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