Average
#539 of 1,363 schools in MD
Top 40% 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
6.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
618
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
6.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#13 of 23
public schools
Maryland middle schools
#32 of 224
In district
#40 of 76
Howard County Public Schools
School environment
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Wilde Lake Middle
Wilde Lake Middle serves 618 students in grades 6 through 8 in Columbia, Maryland, offering a smaller learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 12.1 to 1 and 51 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a solid 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 82nd percentile statewide at #245 out of 1,364 Maryland schools. Academically, Wilde Lake Middle shows mixed performance, with 48% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts while mathematics presents opportunities for growth with 19% proficiency.
The school serves a well-educated community where 67% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting the area's commitment to learning and development. The surrounding 21044 zip code represents an affluent neighborhood with a median household income of $123,658 and median home values of $514,400. With a low poverty rate of 8%, the community provides a stable foundation for student success.
The area's 45,100 residents create a substantial, engaged population that supports educational initiatives. Wilde Lake Middle operates as a regular public school in Howard County, situated in Columbia's mid-size city environment that blends suburban comfort with educational opportunity.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Wilde Lake Middle — Students at Wilde Lake Middle score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
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 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.6/10.
How Wilde Lake Middle Compares
See how Wilde Lake Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 31% (2019) to 27.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 46% (2019) to 52.5% (2025).
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. Swansfield Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Stevens Forest Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bryant Woods Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 | 5.8 |
| COLUMBIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 0.4 mi | — |
| Bryant Woods Elementary Columbia | 0.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Longfellow Elementary Columbia | 0.7 mi | 4.9 |
| BRYANT WOODS MONTESSORI CHILDRENS HOUSE Columbia | 0.6 mi | — |
| Swansfield Elementary Columbia | 0.6 mi | 9.4 |
| Harpers Choice Middle Columbia | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| FUSION COLUMBIA Columbia | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Running Brook Elementary Columbia | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Clemens Crossing Elementary Columbia | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Homewood School Ellicott City | 1.6 mi | 5.0 |
| ATHOLTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY Columbia | 1.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Atholton High Columbia | 2.0 mi | 5.3 |
| 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 | 7.2 |
| Stevens Forest Elementary Columbia | 1.9 mi | 8.9 |
| Atholton Elementary Columbia | 2.3 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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Patapsco Middle Ellicott City, MD | 6.9 |
| Smithsburg Middle Smithsburg, MD | 6.9 |
| Braddock Middle Cumberland, MD | 7.0 |
| Calvert Middle Prince Frederick, MD | 7.0 |
| Northern Middle Hagerstown, MD | 7.0 |
| Perryville Middle Perryville, MD | 7.0 |
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 is ranked #539 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Wilde Lake Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Wilde Lake Middle has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wilde Lake Middle has 21.5% math proficiency and 48.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (410) 313-6957
- 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
- #40 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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