Best Schools in Howard County, MD
Howard County, MD has 109 public schools (13 high, 20 middle, 63 elementary) serving 62,848 students. On average they score 50% on state proficiency tests against a projected 45%, so schools in Howard County exceed expectations. Rankings below compare each school’s actual results with the projection for its socioeconomic context.
Best High Schools in Howard County, MD
The top high schools in Howard County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. River Hill High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1424 Students
2. Marriotts Ridge High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1716 Students
3. Glenelg High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1339 Students
4. Centennial High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1392 Students
5. Mount Hebron High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1621 Students
6. Howard High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1741 Students
7. Atholton High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1467 Students
8. Hammond High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1287 Students
9. Reservoir High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1837 Students
10. Long Reach High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1714 Students
Best Middle Schools in Howard County, MD
The top middle schools in Howard County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Clarksville Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 649 Students
2. Mount View Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 894 Students
3. Folly Quarter Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 683 Students
4. Burleigh Manor Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 806 Students
5. Lime Kiln Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 643 Students
6. Glenwood Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 493 Students
7. Ellicott Mills Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 670 Students
8. Patapsco Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 661 Students
9. Hammond Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 570 Students
10. Dunloggin Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 617 Students
Best Elementary Schools in Howard County, MD
The top elementary schools in Howard County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. West Friendship Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 366 Students
2. Worthington Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 436 Students
3. Triadelphia Ridge Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 605 Students
4. Bushy Park Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 621 Students
5. Pointers Run Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 812 Students
6. Rockburn Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 651 Students
7. Clarksville Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 581 Students
8. Dayton Oaks
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 783 Students
9. Waverly Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 867 Students
10. Fulton Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Howard County Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 879 Students
Education & Community Snapshot in Howard County, MD
County-level factors that shape the learning environment around local schools.
Community Factors
Howard County, MD has a total population of 332,317 with 28% of that population attending schools. The adult high school graduation rate is 95%, and 65% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Students in Howard County, MD
K-12 Students
High School Graduates
Adults 25+ with HS diplomas
College Graduates
Adults 25+ with a Bachelor’s degree or higher
Demographics statistics provided by Best Neighborhood Howard County, MD.
Safety
Crime Grades summarize reported incidents per 1,000 residents. Use them as neighborhood context, not a school rating.
Overall Crime Grade
17.89 per 1,000 Residents
Violent Crime Grade
2.55 per 1,000 Residents
Property Crime Grade
15.34 per 1,000 Residents
Crime statistics provided by CrimeGrade in Howard County, MD.
Connectivity
Connectivity influences learning at home. We summarize internet infrastructure, typical download speed, and a digital connectivity index for Howard County, MD.
ISP Report Card
Internet Infrastructure Grade
Average Download Speed
Speed Most Residents Can Get
Digital Connectivity Index
ISP Connectivity Demand Report
To read more about these statistics, please visit Howard County, MD Internet Health Assessment.
Questions About Schools in Howard County, MD
How many schools are in Howard County, MD?
Howard County, MD has 109 public schools: 13 high schools, 20 middle schools and 63 elementary schools, serving 62,848 students in total.
How do schools in Howard County perform on state tests?
On average, 109 schools in Howard County score 50% proficient on state assessments. Given the socioeconomic context of their students we project 45%, so on average schools in Howard County exceed expectations.
How does SchoolGrade rank the best schools in Howard County?
Every public school gets a SchoolGrade from A+ to F based on the share of students at or above the state proficiency bar. The Impact Grade compares that result with what we would expect given the school’s student and community context, so schools that outperform their circumstances stand out. Schools cannot pay to change a grade. Read the full methodology.
Best Schools in Cities Near Howard County, MD
Explore nearby cities to widen your school search.
- Actual: 19%
- Projected: 20%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 33%
- Projected: 33%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 38%
- Projected: 38%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 43%
- Projected: 45%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 24%
- Projected: 21%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 49%
- Projected: 42%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 23%
- Projected: 27%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 75%
- Projected: 50%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 88%
- Projected: 61%
- Impact Grade: Doesn't Meet Expectations
- Actual: 63%
- Projected: 45%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
Cities, towns and school districts in Howard County
12 places in Howard County with graded public schools. Each link opens that place's ranked schools.
Cities and towns (12)
- Columbia (23)
- Ellicott City (21)
- Elkridge (6)
- Clarksville (4)
- Fulton (4)
- Glenwood (2)
- Jessup (2)
- Marriottsville (2)
- Dayton (1)
- Glenelg (1)
- West Friendship (1)
- Woodbine (1)
School districts (1)
- Howard County Public Schools (76 schools)