Howard High School is a public high school located in Ellicott City, Maryland, United States. It is part of the Howard County Public School System, and serves families from Ellicott City, Elkridge, Hanover and Columbia.
Serving 1,493 students in grades 9-12, Howard High School ranks in the top 10% of all schools in Maryland for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 10%, and reading proficiency is top 10%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 60% (which is higher than the Maryland state average of 27%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 79% (which is higher than the Maryland state average of 45%).
The student-teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the Maryland state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 65% of the student body (majority Asian and Black), which is lower than the Maryland state average of 69% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Facts (2026)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,493 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
- Minority Enrollment: 65%
- Graduation Rate: 97% (Top 10% in MD)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 10%
- Math Proficiency: 60% (Top 10%)
- Reading Proficiency: 79% (Top 5%)
- Science Proficiency: 62% (Top 10%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MD Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Howard High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Maryland for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Graduation Rate
Diversity
School Overview
Howard High School's student population of 1,493 students has declined by 18% over five school years.
The teacher population of 96 teachers has declined by 16% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
1,493 students
Total Classroom Teachers
96 teachers
Year Founded
1952
Colors
White, Grey, Navy Blue
School Rankings
Howard High School ranks within the top 10% of all 1,338 schools in Maryland (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Howard High School is 0.74, which is equal to the diversity score at state average of 0.74. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#80 out of 1338 schools
(Top 10%)
(Top 10%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
60%
27%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
79%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
62%
36%
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
14:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
28%
7%
Hispanic
6%
24%
Black
24%
32%
White
35%
31%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
7%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
97%
86%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
19%
46%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Howard County School District
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MD Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Lion
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Howard High School's ranking?
Howard High School is ranked #80 out of 1,338 schools, which ranks it among the top 10% of public schools in Maryland.
What schools are Howard High School often compared to?
Howard High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Long Reach High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
60% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 27% MD state average), while 79% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 45% MD state average).
What is the graduation rate of Howard High School?
The graduation rate of Howard High School is 97%, which is higher than the Maryland state average of 86%.
How many students attend Howard High School?
1,493 students attend Howard High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
35% of Howard High School students are White, 28% of students are Asian, 24% of students are Black, 7% of students are Two or more races, and 6% of students are Hispanic.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Howard High School?
Howard High School has a student ration of 16:1, which is higher than the Maryland state average of 14:1.
What grades does Howard High School offer ?
Howard High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Howard High School part of?
Howard High School is part of Howard County School District.
In what neighborhood is Howard High School located?
Howard High School is located in the Jonestown neighborhood of Ellicott City, MD.
School Reviews
Review Howard High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
