Average
#880 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
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,270
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#20 of 23
public schools
Maryland high schools
#56 of 226
In district
#62 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
School environment
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Wilde Lake High
Wilde Lake High serves 1,270 students in grades 9-12 in Columbia, Maryland, offering a comprehensive high school education with a favorable 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio and 97 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks in the 66th percentile statewide at #467 out of 1,364 Maryland high schools. Academically, Wilde Lake High has room for growth, with 36% of students performing proficient or above in English Language Arts and 41% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics across grade levels.
These results provide opportunities for continued focus on student development and academic improvement. The school serves a well-educated and affluent community in Howard County, where 67% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $123,658. The neighborhood's median home value of $514,400 reflects the area's desirability, while the low 8% poverty rate indicates strong economic stability among the 45,100 residents in the 21044 ZIP code.
Wilde Lake High is situated in Columbia, a thoughtfully planned mid-size city known for its diverse community and family-friendly atmosphere in one of Maryland's most prosperous counties.
Score Breakdown
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Wilde Lake High — Students at Wilde Lake High score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.3%
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: 2.2/10.
How Wilde Lake High Compares
See how Wilde Lake High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 5.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 55.3% (2025).
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. FUSION COLUMBIA (rated 6.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Atholton High (rated 5.3/10, 2.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Homewood School (rated 5.0/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Ellicott City), with a comparable rating. 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 | 6.9 |
| COLUMBIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 0.4 mi | — |
| Bryant Woods Elementary Columbia | 0.4 mi | 8.3 |
| BRYANT WOODS MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Columbia | 0.5 mi | — |
| Longfellow Elementary Columbia | 0.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Swansfield Elementary Columbia | 0.8 mi | 9.4 |
| FUSION COLUMBIA Columbia | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Harpers Choice Middle Columbia | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Running Brook Elementary Columbia | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Clemens Crossing Elementary Columbia | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| ATHOLTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY Columbia | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Homewood School Ellicott City | 1.7 mi | 5.0 |
| 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 | 7.2 |
| Atholton High Columbia | 2.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Stevens Forest Elementary Columbia | 1.7 mi | 8.9 |
| Oakland Mills Middle Columbia | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Atholton Elementary Columbia | 2.2 mi | 7.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Wilde Lake High has a median household income of $132,924. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $541,100, with a median rent of $2,096/month. The local poverty rate of 7.1% 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| South River High Edgewater, MD | 5.8 |
| Howard High Ellicott City, MD | 5.7 |
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 is ranked #880 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Wilde Lake High's MySchoolScout rating?
Wilde Lake High has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Wilde Lake High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wilde Lake High has 32.5% math proficiency and 53.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
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
- Phone
- (410) 313-6965
- 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
- #62 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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