| Metric | Howard County Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 57,676 | 3,544 | Much larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 77 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $20,296/yr | $17,619/yr | ↑ 15% above avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 10/10 — Excellent | — | Top 10% in MD |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Howard County Public Schools (this district) | 10/10 | 94th | 57,676 |
| Montgomery County Public Schools | 8/10 | 78th | 160,554 |
| Prince George's County Public Schools | 2/10 | 14th | 131,133 |
| Baltimore County Public Schools | 4/10 | 38th | 111,082 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 25 rated districts in MD → 94th percentile → 10/10.
Source: Maryland State Dept. of Education MCAP, all grades Proficient Pct, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
- Wilde Lake Middle — 0.8 mi · Grades 6–8 · 643 students
- Clemens Crossing Elementary — 0.8 mi · Grades K–5 · 481 students
- Wilde Lake High — 0.9 mi · Grades 9–12 · 1,197 students
- Swansfield Elementary — 1.0 mi · Grades PK–5 · 594 students
- Atholton High — 1.2 mi · Grades 9–12 · 1,540 students
- Bryant Woods Elementary — 1.3 mi · Grades PK–5 · 366 students
- Harpers Choice Middle — 1.4 mi · Grades 6–8 · 471 students
- Longfellow Elementary — 1.5 mi · Grades PK–5 · 446 students
About Howard County Public Schools
Howard County Public Schools is the public school district assigned to zip code 21044 in Columbia, Maryland. Serving students from Pre-K–12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 21044. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 10/10 Rating
With a rating of 10/10 (top-tier), Howard County Public Schools ranks among Maryland’s top-tier-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Maryland’s MCAP assessments (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Maryland is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Howard County Public Schools ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in Maryland on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 21044 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 21044
Children in zip code 21044 are assigned to Howard County Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 21044, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Howard County Public Schools at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Maryland districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Columbia
For families considering a purchase in the Columbia area, district assignment matters financially. Because Howard County Public Schools serves zip code 21044, homes in and around zip code 21044 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Maryland, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Howard County Public Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 21044.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Howard County Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 21044 data.