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Centennial High

Summary:

Centennial High is a public high school serving grades 9-12 in Ellicott City, Maryland, part of the highly-ranked Howard County Public Schools district. Centennial High is consistently one of the top-performing high schools in the state, ranking within the top 10-20 Maryland high schools over the past decade.

Centennial High's academic performance is exceptional, with students consistently outperforming state and district averages on MCAP tests across all subject areas and grade levels. In 2023-2024, 86% of 10th graders were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 71.9% for the Howard County district and 55.3% for the state. The school also excels in mathematics, with 43.3% of all students proficient or better, compared to 41.1% for the district and 24.1% for the state. Centennial High's diverse student population includes a higher percentage of Asian students (around 40%) compared to the district and state, and a lower percentage of African American and Hispanic students than some nearby schools like Hammond High and Long Reach High.

Centennial High's strong academic performance is not solely driven by its demographic makeup, as the school's overall excellence extends across all racial groups. Additionally, the school serves a relatively more affluent community, with only 17% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, compared to 41.72% at Hammond High and 41.42% at Long Reach High. Despite this, Centennial High's academic outcomes remain exceptional, highlighting its ability to provide a high-quality education to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 4300 Centennial Ln
       Ellicott City, MD  21042-6214

(410) 313-2856

District: Howard County Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
10th of 146 Maryland High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,805 Help


Feeder schools for Centennial High:

Elementary:    Centennial Lane Elementary
    Northfield Elementary
Middle:    Burleigh Manor Middle

Student/teacher ratio:  16.5 Help
Number of students:  1,392

Racial breakdown:

Asian:
39.9%
White:
36.9%
African American:
11.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  17% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Centennial High ranks better than 93.2% of high schools in Maryland. It also ranks 2nd among 13 ranked high schools in the Howard County Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 77.43. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: Asian (39.9%), White (36.9%), African American (11.4%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 17% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Centennial High is 16.5. 10 high schools in the Howard County Public Schools District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Centennial High employs 83.9 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Centennial High is $16,805. 9 high schools in the Howard County Public Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Centennial High was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Centennial High 10th of 146 Maryland public high schools. (See Centennial High in the ranking list.)

Howard County Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Howard County Public Schools 2nd of 25 Maryland school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Centennial High.

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Rank History for Centennial High

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Centennial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 61.10 16th 201 92.0%
2005 86.52 4th 204 98.0%
2006 83.29 8th 204 96.1%
2007 85.05 3rd 209 98.6%
2008 85.37 4th 214 98.1%
2009 85.10 4th 213 98.1%
2010 84.15 16th 220 92.7%
2011 85.70 13th 183 92.9%
2012 84.54 7th 187 96.3%
2013 83.29 15th 185 91.9%
2014 83.22 6th 231 97.4%
2015 74.02 26th 233 88.8%
2016 79.36 18th 233 92.3%
2017 87.95 6th 180 96.7%
2018 82.29 13th 197 93.4%
2019 82.96 10th 138 92.8%
2022 74.16 16th 225 92.9%
2023 76.06 8th 127 93.7%
2024 77.43 10th 146 93.2%
See the entire list of Maryland High School Rankings!

Rank History for White students at Centennial High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 82.13 10th 40 75.0%
See the entire list of Best Maryland High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Maryland State Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Centennial High Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
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Data source: Maryland State Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3.8)
60%

0%

20%

0%

20%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Open Quote My son came home one day, and said that he hated centennial. It was the first day so I let it slide. At the end of the year he said again he hated centennial, and I asked why? He said the teachers were terrible, and the students were all snobby. He mentioned the only reason centennials a good school is because everyone that goes there can afford tutors. Close Quote


by a parent
Monday, January 10, 2011

Open Quote My daughter could have easily gotten into the humanities program but we chose to not enroll. I think the program is way oversold. I don't know how you can teach a "Humanities" program and omit European history (students have to take that as an elective!) She is in GT and AP courses and I do not feel she has been shortchanged at all. My only issue with Centennial are the parents who demand their children be put into classes they are not prepared for (AP >, probably Humanities as well) so the teachers have to teach down to them, until they finally drop out or are asked to leave. Close Quote


by a parent
Sunday, November 28, 2010

Open Quote Regarding the Humanities program.... My kids were part of this program and all of them felt they had an advantage in college over other students. They did not panic when assigned long or last-minute papers freshman year. They were used to it. I have no idea how placement is handled there now. I only know it was a fantastic program, and I commend the teachers who were a part of it. Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, July 15, 2010

Open Quote Centennial High School is a truly renowned school and is very much soutght after by many parents. I have one child who is currently in school, and another entering next fall. There is one very bad thing about Centennial though.

Centennial High school has a program called the Humanities program. As with other schools, students were recommended, and those who were not were allowed to waiver with the approval of the teachers. Somehow, too many people were entered into the Humanities program, so many had to be taken out. Instead of trying to get everyone in, the school randomly picked stuydents. Is this fair? Some students are going to experience a richer educational experience, and have a better college resume because of sheer luck. This is the reason i have left out two stars.......... :( Close Quote



Enrollment information for Centennial High

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 953 109 117 11 2 n/a n/a 2 1194
1990 956 112 139 9 0 n/a n/a 0 1216
1991 934 92 151 12 1 n/a n/a 0 1190
1992 947 96 162 18 2 n/a n/a 0 1225
1993 974 92 180 15 1 n/a n/a 0 1262
1994 996 104 182 12 2 n/a n/a 0 1296
1995 891 80 215 9 1 n/a n/a 0 1196
1996 891 80 215 9 1 n/a n/a 0 1196
1997 827 60 219 6 1 n/a n/a 0 1113
1998 829 54 229 8 0 n/a n/a 0 1120
1999 841 50 247 8 0 n/a n/a 0 1146
2000 855 51 242 9 0 n/a n/a 0 1157
2001 890 50 262 10 1 n/a n/a 0 1213
2002 992 88 304 16 3 n/a n/a 0 1403
2003 992 88 304 16 3 n/a n/a 0 1403
2004 1045 93 362 25 2 n/a n/a 0 1527
2005 1073 108 405 26 2 n/a n/a 0 1614
2006 993 96 379 29 1 n/a n/a 0 1498
2007 953 91 382 33 1 n/a n/a 0 1460
2008 930 110 390 37 1 n/a n/a 0 1468
2009 883 119 406 39 0 n/a n/a 0 1447
2010 889 119 437 38 3 n/a n/a 0 1486
2011 793 108 444 61 3 0 63 0 1472
2012 754 102 443 61 3 0 71 0 1434
2013 747 102 467 52 4 0 68 0 1440
2014 669 107 467 61 1 0 59 0 1364
2015 677 112 489 52 1 2 69 0 1402
2016 670 121 531 68 1 2 72 0 1465
2017 648 130 561 75 2 3 86 0 1505
2018 635 153 625 83 4 3 111 0 1614
2019 628 142 631 82 4 3 100 0 1590
2020 630 146 651 73 4 3 90 0 1597
2021 566 131 611 82 0 2 75 0 1467
2022 535 139 555 84 1 1 61 1 1377
2023 513 158 556 97 1 2 61 4 1392

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Centennial High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 1194 61.9 19.2 n/a
1990 1216 61.2 19.8 1.1
1991 1190 62.2 19.1 0.4
1992 1225 65.1 18.8 0.8
1993 1262 65.2 19.4 0.8
1994 1296 65.9 19.7 1.5
1995 1196 60.8 19.7 1
1996 1196 60.8 19.7 1
1997 1113 62.1 17.9 1.5
1998 1120 61.6 18.2 1.3
1999 1146 61.6 18.6 2
2000 1157 65.2 17.7 1.5
2001 1213 69.1 17.6 1.5
2002 1403 71.2 19.7 2.7
2003 1403 71.2 19.7 2.7
2004 1527 82.0 18.6 3.2
2005 1614 86.0 18.8 4.6
2006 1498 86.0 17.4 3.3
2007 1460 87.4 16.7 3.6
2008 1468 90.0 16.3 4.8
2009 1447 93.0 15.6 4.7
2010 1486 90.0 16.5 5.4
2011 1472 91.0 16.1 6.9
2012 1434 92.0 15.5 6.6
2013 1440 90.0 16.0 7.2
2014 1364 84.0 16.2 8.1
2015 1402 88.0 15.9 8.9
2016 1465 91.0 16.0 10
2017 1505 92.0 16.3 9.5
2018 1614 96.4 16.7 7.9
2019 1590 98.0 16.2 7.5
2020 1597 99.0 16.1 8.6
2021 1467 88.1 16.6 6.8
2022 1377 86.1 15.9 8.3
2023 1392 83.9 16.5 17

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Centennial High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 1194 61.9 19.2 n/a
1990 1216 61.2 19.8 1.1
1991 1190 62.2 19.1 0.4
1992 1225 65.1 18.8 0.8
1993 1262 65.2 19.4 0.8
1994 1296 65.9 19.7 1.5
1995 1196 60.8 19.7 1
1996 1196 60.8 19.7 1
1997 1113 62.1 17.9 1.5
1998 1120 61.6 18.2 1.3
1999 1146 61.6 18.6 2
2000 1157 65.2 17.7 1.5
2001 1213 69.1 17.6 1.5
2002 1403 71.2 19.7 2.7
2003 1403 71.2 19.7 2.7
2004 1527 82.0 18.6 3.2
2005 1614 86.0 18.8 4.6
2006 1498 86.0 17.4 3.3
2007 1460 87.4 16.7 3.6
2008 1468 90.0 16.3 4.8
2009 1447 93.0 15.6 4.7
2010 1486 90.0 16.5 5.4
2011 1472 91.0 16.1 6.9
2012 1434 92.0 15.5 6.6
2013 1440 90.0 16.0 7.2
2014 1364 84.0 16.2 8.1
2015 1402 88.0 15.9 8.9
2016 1465 91.0 16.0 10
2017 1505 92.0 16.3 9.5
2018 1614 96.4 16.7 7.9
2019 1590 98.0 16.2 7.5
2020 1597 99.0 16.1 8.6
2021 1467 88.1 16.6 6.8
2022 1377 86.1 15.9 8.3
2023 1392 83.9 16.5 17

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Centennial High

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $407 (3.1%) $12,715 (96.9%) $13,121
2020 $431 (3.1%) $13,383 (96.9%) $13,814
2021 $725 (5.3%) $13,051 (94.7%) $13,776
2022 $891 (5.4%) $15,558 (94.6%) $16,448
2023 $794 (4.7%) $16,011 (95.3%) $16,805

Data source: Maryland Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Centennial High

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 10th of 138 High schoolsRanks 8th of 127 High schools
 0.9%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students15901392
 12.5%
African American142158
 11.3%
American Indian41
 75%
Asian631556
 11.9%
Hispanic8297
 18.3%
Pacific Islander32
 33.3%
White628513
 18.3%
Two or More Races10061
 39%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients7.5%17%
 9.5%

Schools Near Centennial High








Frequently Asked Questions about Centennial High

Students at Centennial High are 40% Asian, 37% White, 11% African American, 7% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races.

Centennial High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Centennial Lane Elementary
Elementary : Northfield Elementary
Middle : Burleigh Manor Middle

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,392 students attended Centennial High.

Yes. Centennial High ranks in the top 6.8% of Maryland high schools.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Maryland State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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