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Average

#987 of 1,363 schools in MD

River Hill High

High School · Howard County Public Schools

12101 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD 21029

Enrollment

1,462

Student-Teacher

17:1

Score

5.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Clarksville

#4 of 4

public schools

Maryland high schools

#87 of 226

In district

#69 of 76

Howard County Public Schools

About River Hill High

River Hill High serves 1,462 students in grades 9-12 in Clarksville, Maryland, and stands out as one of the state's top-performing high schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranking 97th out of 1,364 Maryland schools, the school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement. Students consistently excel on state assessments, with 87% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 85% in mathematics.

The school maintains a manageable 17:1 student-teacher ratio with 86 full-time equivalent teachers, supporting strong classroom instruction and individual attention. River Hill High's academic excellence score of 10.0 out of 10 reflects the school's commitment to rigorous educational standards and student success. The school community benefits from an exceptionally well-educated and affluent neighborhood, where 82% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $238,095.

With a poverty rate of just 1.3% and median home values of $882,700, the area provides a stable, resource-rich environment that supports educational achievement. Located at 12101 Clarksville Pike in Howard County, River Hill High sits in a thriving mid-size city community that values education and invests heavily in student success.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.3Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-6.66 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.9Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency88.1%
Math vs. State Avg-18.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+37 pts
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)70%
vs. Expected-20.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
College Readiness9.8Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation63.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,971

River Hill High — Students at River Hill High score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

6.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 68.9%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 88.3%
School
State
51.1%

Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
91%
ELA
86%
2021*
Math
88%
ELA
92%
2022
Math
85%
ELA
87%
2025
Math
11.4%
ELA
88.1%

* 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: 1.3/10.

How River Hill High Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
28th percentile in MD
Academic
5.9/10
5.9/10
Growth
1.3/10
Below average
Environment
4.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
7%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
86 teachers

Location

12101 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD 21029

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering River Hill High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Wilde Lake High (rated 5.8/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Columbia), with a very similar rating. Another option is Atholton High (rated 5.3/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Columbia), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Homewood School (rated 5.0/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Ellicott City), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Clarksville, see our Clarksville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Clarksville Elementary Clarksville 0.2 mi 5.7
NORTHCREST MONTESSORI Clarksville 1.1 mi
ST LOUIS SCHOOL Clarksville 1.1 mi 4.9
BROOKFIELD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Clarksville 1.0 mi
Pointers Run Elementary Clarksville 1.7 mi 8.6
Clarksville Middle Clarksville 1.7 mi 5.9
Swansfield Elementary Columbia 2.2 mi 9.4
Harpers Choice Middle Columbia 2.3 mi 7.1
Homewood School Ellicott City 2.5 mi 5.0
Longfellow Elementary Columbia 2.6 mi 4.9
GLENELG COUNTRY SCHOOL Ellicott City 3.1 mi 8.1
Wilde Lake Middle Columbia 2.8 mi 6.9
COLUMBIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia 2.9 mi
Atholton High Columbia 3.2 mi 5.3
Wilde Lake High Columbia 3.0 mi 5.8
MOUNTHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Columbia 3.4 mi
Clemens Crossing Elementary Columbia 3.3 mi 7.2
Dayton Oaks Elementary Dayton 3.4 mi 8.1
Cedar Lane Special Center Fulton 4.2 mi 4.3
Bryant Woods Elementary Columbia 3.3 mi 8.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21029 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$250,001

Median Home Value

$904,700

Median Rent

$3,501/mo

Population

13,783

College Educated

81.8%

Homeownership

91.7%

Avg Commute

34 min

Poverty Rate

1.2%

Median Age

43.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding River Hill High has a median household income of $250,001. It is a well-educated community where 82% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $904,700, with a median rent of $3,501/month. The local poverty rate of 1.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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
Dulaney High Timonium, MD 5.5
George W. Carver Center for Arts & Technology Towson, MD 5.5
North Hagerstown High Hagerstown, MD 5.5
Poolesville High Poolesville, MD 5.5
Severna Park High Severna Park, MD 5.5
Walt Whitman High Bethesda, MD 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about River Hill High

What grades does River Hill High serve?

River Hill High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend River Hill High?

River Hill High has an enrollment of approximately 1,462 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at River Hill High?

The student-teacher ratio at River Hill High is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does River Hill High rank in MD?

River Hill High is ranked #987 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is River Hill High's MySchoolScout rating?

River Hill High has a composite rating of 5.5 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 River Hill High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, River Hill High has 68.9% math proficiency and 88.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is River Hill High a charter school?

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

Is River Hill High a Title I school?

No, River Hill High is not currently a Title I school.

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

6.9% of students at River Hill 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
18 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,462
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
Teachers (FTE)
86
Free/Reduced Lunch
6.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Howard County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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