Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

Howard County Public Schools

Maryland · Public School District
77
Schools
57,676
Students
$20,893
Per-Pupil Spend
+46% nat'l
27.6%
Free Lunch Rate
-25pp vs nat'l
92.9%
Graduation Rate
+6.4pp vs nat'l
District Overview

Howard County Public Schools is a public school district in Maryland serving 57,676 students across 77 schools. It includes 42 elementary, 20 middle, 13 high schools. Its graduation rate of 92.9% is above the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $20,893 is above average for a US public school district. 28% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Opportunity scores across its schools are moderate, with a district median of 50/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (77)
Elementary Schools42 schools
High Schools13 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Atholton High09–121,467
Centennial High09–121,392
Glenelg High09–121,339
Hammond High09–121,287
Homewood School07–1288
Howard High09–121,741
Long Reach High09–121,714
Marriotts Ridge High09–121,716
Mount Hebron High09–121,621
Oakland Mills High09–121,401
Reservoir High09–121,837
River Hill High09–121,424
Wilde Lake High09–121,341
Other Schools2 schools
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$20,893+46% nat'l avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
30%
63%
State
29.5%
Local (property tax)
62.7%
Federal
7.7%

This district draws the majority of its budget from local property taxes (63%), typical of wealthier suburban districts.

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
77
Schools
57,676
Students
28%
Free Lunch
$21K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate92.9%
Opportunity Score50/100
Strengths & Considerations
Strong graduation outcomes
92.9% graduation rate — 6.4 points above the national average of 86.5%.
High per-student investment
Spends $20,893 per pupil — 46% above the national average of $14,347.
Range of school options
With 77 schools, families have meaningful choice across programs and grade levels.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Howard County Public Schools?
Howard County Public Schools has 77 public schools, serving a total of 57,676 students.
What is the graduation rate for Howard County Public Schools?
The graduation rate is 92.9%, which is above the national average of 86.5%.
How much does Howard County Public Schools spend per student?
Howard County Public Schools spends $20,893 per pupil — 46% above the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in Howard County Public Schools?
28% of students in Howard County Public Schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in Howard County Public Schools?
No, Howard County Public Schools does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does Howard County Public Schools serve?
Howard County Public Schools serves grades PK through UG, covering elementary level.
What is the opportunity score for Howard County Public Schools?
The median opportunity score across schools in Howard County Public Schools is 50/100. The national median is 50/100. Opportunity scores reflect long-term economic mobility prospects for children who grow up in these communities.
About This Data

All figures on this page come directly from US federal open datasets — NCES Common Core of Data, EDFacts, and the Opportunity Atlas — and we work hard to keep them accurate and up to date. That said, federal data is published on an annual cycle, so some figures may not yet reflect the very latest school-year changes or local updates. We recommend using this page as a helpful starting point and cross-checking with the school or district directly, or visiting the NCES Common Core of Data and ed.gov for the most authoritative figures before making any important decisions.