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
Enrollment
1,462
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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River Hill High — Students at River Hill High score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
6.9%
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: 1.3/10.
How River Hill High Compares
See how River Hill High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 91% (2019) to 11.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 86% (2019) to 88.1% (2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (410) 313-7120
- 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
- #69 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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