Skip to main content

Average

#690 of 1,363 schools in MD

Wilde Lake High

High School · Howard County Public Schools

5460 Trumpeter Rd, Columbia, MD 21044

Enrollment

1,270

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

6.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#690 of 1,363

In Columbia

#18 of 23

public schools

In district

#66 of 76

Howard County Public Schools

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Wilde Lake High?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Wilde Lake High

6.3/10

High School in Columbia · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Wilde Lake Middle

7.8/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Columbia Montessori School

Nearby

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Wilde Lake High

Wilde Lake High is a public high school in Columbia, MD, part of Howard County Public Schools. Wilde Lake High serves approximately 1,270 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Wilde Lake High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #690 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Wilde Lake High show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.2 pts below district
  • This school 6.3 · Average
  • District avg 7.5
  • MD avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

41% of students at Wilde Lake High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.6Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.27 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.8% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency55.3% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-22.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.2 pts
Overall Proficiency32% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-13.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College Readiness8.2Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate91%
AP Participation37.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,256
Chronic Absenteeism41.3%

Wilde Lake High — Students at Wilde Lake High score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

42.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 65.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 68.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
93%
ELA
88%
2010
Math
88%
ELA
86%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
86%
2012
Math
92%
ELA
89%
2013
Math
88%
ELA
86%
2014
Math
89%
ELA
87%
2015
Math
89%
ELA
81%
2016
Math
77%
ELA
19%
2018
Math
48%
ELA
58%
2019
Math
48%
ELA
58%
2020*
Math
36%
ELA
63%
2021*
Math
36%
ELA
63%
2022
Math
41%
ELA
36%
2025
Math
7.8%
ELA
55.3%

* 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: 5.6/10.

How Wilde Lake High Compares

See how Wilde Lake High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
49th percentile in MD
Academic
4.7/10
Below Average
Growth
5.6/10
Average
Environment
6.1/10
Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 3.1
Sports
21
10 boys' · 11 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
97 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
41.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
37.7% participation·State avg: 3.1 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics21sports offered
10 boys'·11 girls'·33 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

5460 Trumpeter Rd, Columbia, MD 21044

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wilde Lake High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Atholton High (rated 7.5/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is FUSION COLUMBIA (rated 6.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Homewood School (rated 5.2/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Ellicott City), a more accessible option. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Wilde Lake Middle Columbia 0.2 mi 7.8
COLUMBIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia 0.4 mi
Bryant Woods Elementary Columbia 0.4 mi 6.7
BRYANT WOODS MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Columbia 0.5 mi
Longfellow Elementary Columbia 0.8 mi 6.2
Swansfield Elementary Columbia 0.8 mi 7.4
FUSION COLUMBIA Columbia 0.9 mi 6.9
Harpers Choice Middle Columbia 1.0 mi 6.3
Running Brook Elementary Columbia 1.2 mi 5.5
Clemens Crossing Elementary Columbia 1.6 mi 8.1
ATHOLTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY Columbia 1.7 mi 7.0
Homewood School Ellicott City 1.7 mi 5.2
JULIA BROWN SCHOOL Columbia 1.6 mi
NURTURING NEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia 1.6 mi
THE MANDALA SCHOOL INC Columbia 1.8 mi
Talbott Springs Elementary Columbia 1.6 mi 7.3
Atholton High Columbia 2.0 mi 7.5
Stevens Forest Elementary Columbia 1.7 mi 7.8
Oakland Mills Middle Columbia 1.7 mi 7.3
Atholton Elementary Columbia 2.2 mi 8.2

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
North Hagerstown High Hagerstown, MD 6.3
Brunswick High Brunswick, MD 6.2
Catonsville High Baltimore, MD 6.2
Easton High Easton, MD 6.2
Calvert High Prince Frederick, MD 6.4
Edgewood High Edgewood, MD 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wilde Lake High

What grades does Wilde Lake High serve?

Wilde Lake High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Wilde Lake High?

Wilde Lake High has an enrollment of approximately 1,270 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wilde Lake High?

The student-teacher ratio at Wilde Lake High is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wilde Lake High rank in MD?

Wilde Lake High ranks #690 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Wilde Lake High's MySchoolScout rating?

Wilde Lake High 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 Wilde Lake High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Wilde Lake High has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Wilde Lake High a charter school?

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

Is Wilde Lake High a Title I school?

No, Wilde Lake High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wilde Lake High?

42.3% of students at Wilde Lake 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
75 Very Walkable
Transit Score
46 Some Transit
Bike Score
64 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,270
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
97
Free/Reduced Lunch
42.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Howard County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
41.3%
4-Year Graduation
91.0%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.