Very Good
#324 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 24% in state
Wilde Lake Middle
Middle School · Howard County Public Schools
10481 Cross Fox Ln, Columbia, MD 21044
Enrollment
618
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
7.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
618
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
7.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Maryland schools
#324 of 1,363
In Columbia
#5 of 23
public schools
In district
#47 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
Academic growth
8.5 / 10
Excellent
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Wilde Lake Middle
Middle School in Columbia · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Wilde Lake High
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Columbia Montessori School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Wilde Lake Middle
Wilde Lake Middle is a public middle school in Columbia, MD, part of Howard County Public Schools. Wilde Lake Middle serves approximately 618 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Wilde Lake Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #324 of 1,363 schools in MD.
Structured state assessment records for Wilde Lake Middle show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.8 · Very Good
- District avg 8.2
- MD avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
32% of students at Wilde Lake Middle 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Wilde Lake Middle — Students at Wilde Lake Middle score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 28 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: 8.5/10.
How Wilde Lake Middle Compares
See how Wilde Lake Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
10481 Cross Fox Ln, Columbia, MD 21044
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Wilde Lake Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Atholton Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Clemens Crossing Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Stevens Forest Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wilde Lake High Columbia | 0.2 mi | 6.3 |
| COLUMBIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 0.4 mi | — |
| Bryant Woods Elementary Columbia | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Longfellow Elementary Columbia | 0.7 mi | 6.2 |
| BRYANT WOODS MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Columbia | 0.6 mi | — |
| Swansfield Elementary Columbia | 0.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Harpers Choice Middle Columbia | 0.8 mi | 6.3 |
| FUSION COLUMBIA Columbia | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Running Brook Elementary Columbia | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Clemens Crossing Elementary Columbia | 1.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Homewood School Ellicott City | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| ATHOLTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY Columbia | 1.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Atholton High Columbia | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| JULIA BROWN SCHOOL Columbia | 1.8 mi | — |
| THE MANDALA SCHOOL INC Columbia | 2.0 mi | — |
| NURTURING NEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 1.7 mi | — |
| MOUNTHAVEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Columbia | 2.3 mi | — |
| Talbott Springs Elementary Columbia | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Stevens Forest Elementary Columbia | 1.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Atholton Elementary Columbia | 2.3 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 |
|---|---|
| Mount Savage Middle Mount Savage, MD | 7.8 |
| Sykesville Middle Sykesville, MD | 7.8 |
| Wiley H. Bates Middle Annapolis, MD | 7.7 |
| Windsor Knolls Middle Ijamsville, MD | 7.7 |
| Elkridge Landing Middle Elkridge, MD | 7.9 |
| Hammond Middle Laurel, MD | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Wilde Lake Middle
What grades does Wilde Lake Middle serve?
Wilde Lake Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Wilde Lake Middle?
Wilde Lake Middle has an enrollment of approximately 618 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Wilde Lake Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Wilde Lake Middle is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Wilde Lake Middle rank in MD?
Wilde Lake Middle ranks #324 of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Wilde Lake Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Wilde Lake Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Wilde Lake Middle has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Wilde Lake Middle a charter school?
No, Wilde Lake Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Wilde Lake Middle a Title I school?
No, Wilde Lake Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wilde Lake Middle?
38.7% of students at Wilde Lake Middle 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 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 618
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 51
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Howard County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.4%
- Phone
- (410) 313-6957
Resources & Links
District
Howard County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 57,633
- Schools in District
- 78
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,256
- District Rank
- #47 of 76
Other Schools in This District
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