Howard County Public Schools

The Howard County Public Schools district in Maryland is home to 76 schools, including 42 elementary schools, 20 middle schools, 13 high schools, and 1 alternative school. The district as a whole is highly ranked, placing 2nd out of 25 districts in the state and earning a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Several schools in the district stand out for their exceptional academic performance. Marriotts Ridge High School, River Hill High School, and Centennial High School are all ranked in the top 11 high schools in Maryland and have impressive proficiency rates, with over 85% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts. At the middle school level, Clarksville Middle School, Burleigh Manor Middle School, and Folly Quarter Middle School are among the top 11 in the state, with exceptional proficiency rates in both English Language Arts and Mathematics. At the elementary level, standouts include Waverly Elementary, Fulton Elementary, Pointers Run Elementary, and Northfield Elementary, all of which are ranked in the top 56 elementary schools in Maryland and have outstanding proficiency rates.

While the district as a whole performs exceptionally well, there is some variation in academic achievement across the schools. Factors such as socioeconomic status, as measured by free and reduced-price lunch rates, appear to correlate with test scores, and the district's alternative school, Cedar Lane Special Center, has significantly higher spending per student compared to the other schools. Overall, the Howard County Public Schools district provides a high-quality education, with many standout schools that excel academically.