Photo: Scott Saghirian · CC BY 2.0Ellicott City’s public schools outscore 88% of Maryland districts
42% of students in Ellicott City’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Maryland average (25%). The grade covers the public school district serving Ellicott City, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Maryland, not nationally.
From Maryland state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Ellicott City’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 147 Maryland towns with household incomes within a quarter of Ellicott City’s, its schools beat 95%, higher than their 88% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 58% and math 42% in spring 2022, against 45% and 25% statewide; 93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $20,296 per student, against $20,258 across Maryland (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Seven elementary schools, then four middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Resurrection St. Paul School (private), Chapelgatechristianacademy (private), St. Johns Parish Day School (private), Children's Manor Montessori (private), Linwood School (private) and Global Children Montessori School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Ellicott City’s grade
A: better than 88% of Maryland school districts, #12 of 261 Maryland towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Maryland average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Ellicott City, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Ellicott City · depends on your address
Mount Hebron High
Grades 9–12 · 1,455 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Centennial High
Grades 9–12 · 1,377 students · 17:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Ellicott City · depends on your address
Mount Hebron High
Grades 9–12 · 1,455 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Centennial High
Grades 9–12 · 1,377 students · 17:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Ellicott City · depends on your address
Mount Hebron High
Grades 9–12 · 1,455 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Centennial High
Grades 9–12 · 1,377 students · 17:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Ellicott City · depends on your address
Mount Hebron High
Grades 9–12 · 1,455 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Centennial High
Grades 9–12 · 1,377 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Ellicott City’s public schools are run by Howard County Public Schools. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Ellicott City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Maryland towns that share Ellicott City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Ellicott City | A | Howard County |
Every school in Ellicott City
19 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Maryland’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Ellicott City’s schools
Are Ellicott City’s schools good?
By Maryland’s own tests, yes: the public schools Ellicott City children attend outscore 88% of Maryland’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #12 of 261 Maryland towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 95%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Ellicott City in?
Howard County Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 57,565 students in 77 schools (2024–25).
Where do Ellicott City kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Mount Hebron High and Centennial High.
What is Ellicott City’s graduation rate?
93% of the class of 2023 in Howard County Public Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across Maryland.
How much does Ellicott City spend per student?
$20,296 in Howard County Public Schools (FY2024), against $20,258 across Maryland. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Ellicott City?
Yes: Resurrection St. Paul School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 509 students), Chapelgatechristianacademy (religious, grades K–12, 386 students), St. Johns Parish Day School (religious, grades PK–5, 324 students), Children's Manor Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–1, 207 students), Linwood School (special education, grades 3–12, 50 students) and Global Children Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 29 students).
Parents talk
What Ellicott City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Ellicott City → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Maryland. Stars are from neighbors.