Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Centennial High

Q: Is Centennial High a good school?

Centennial High ranks 25 th of 227 Maryland high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

25^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 227 Maryland High Schools

Better than 89% of Maryland high schools

Summary

Centennial High in Ellicott City, MD, is a top-performing high school serving 1,377 students in grades 9-12 within the highly-regarded Howard County Public Schools district, which is ranked 4th in Maryland. The school has a long history of academic excellence, earning a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger for most of the past decade and currently ranking 25th out of 227 high schools in the state, placing it firmly in the top tier.

Centennial's standout strength is its exceptional English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency, with 84.2% of all students proficient, significantly outpacing the district average of 65.9% and the state average of 51.7%. This performance surpasses nearby schools like Howard High and Mount Hebron High. However, the school has a unique "inverse" math profile: Algebra I proficiency is notably low at 10.2%, while Algebra II proficiency is exceptionally high at 43.2%, the second-highest among peers after River Hill High. This pattern, consistent over four years, suggests that many students take Algebra I later, making the test-taker group broader, while Algebra II students are more self-selected for advanced math. This contrasts sharply with schools like Hammond High and Atholton High, where Algebra I proficiency is higher than Algebra II.

Centennial's graduation rate of 93.1% is solid and above the district average of 91.3%, though slightly below Mount Hebron and Howard High. Chronic absenteeism has risen to 18.0%, a concern compared to River Hill's lower rate of 13.6%. The school also demonstrates efficient resource use, spending about $17,982 per student, which is lower than schools with lower academic performance like Wilde Lake High ($21,629) and Oakland Mills High ($20,779). Overall, Centennial offers a strong academic environment with notable strengths in ELA and advanced math, though families should be aware of the unique math placement patterns and the need to monitor attendance trends.

1,377

Students ?

17.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,982

Per pupil spending ?

18.5%

Free/discounted lunch ?

4300 Centennial Ln
Ellicott City, MD 21042-6214

(410) 313-2856

District: Howard County Public Schools

Feeder schools for Centennial High:

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

Racial breakdown:

Asian:

39.7%

White:

33.0%

African American:

13.4%

See top rated Maryland high schools

Compare Centennial High to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 89th percentile in 2015 → 89th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Maryland average (48% vs 38% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 11% of Maryland high schools

✓93% graduate within 4 years

Worth a look

!Algebra I scores 11 pts below the Maryland average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school48%

District avg51%

Maryland avg38%

25^th of 227

Maryland public high schools ?

Top 11%▼ down 3 pts since 2016

From top 8% (2016) to top 11% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Maryland High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

3^rd of 14High Schools in the Howard County Public Schools

4^th of 24Howard County Public Schools among Maryland districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2026	68.4	25 of 227	89.0%	★★★★☆
2025	70.6	23 of 220	89.5%	★★★★☆
2024	77.4	10 of 146	93.2%	★★★★★
2023	76.1	8 of 127	93.7%	★★★★★
2022	74.2	16 of 225	92.9%	★★★★★
2019	83.0	10 of 138	92.8%	★★★★★
2018	82.3	13 of 197	93.4%	★★★★★
2017	88.0	6 of 180	96.7%	★★★★★
2016	79.4	18 of 233	92.3%	★★★★★
2015	74.0	26 of 233	88.8%	★★★★☆
2014	83.2	6 of 231	97.4%	★★★★★
2013	83.3	15 of 185	91.9%	★★★★★
2012	84.5	7 of 187	96.3%	★★★★★
2011	85.7	13 of 183	92.9%	★★★★★
2010	84.1	16 of 220	92.7%	★★★★★
2009	85.1	4 of 213	98.1%	★★★★★
2008	85.4	4 of 214	98.1%	★★★★★
2007	85.0	3 of 209	98.6%	★★★★★
2006	83.3	8 of 204	96.1%	★★★★★
2005	86.5	4 of 204	98.0%	★★★★★
2004	61.1	16 of 201	92.0%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	82.1	10 of 40	75.0%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

White (2021)75th percentile

By subject vs Maryland (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts84%+32 vs state

Algebra II43%+16 vs state

Mathematics34%+7 vs state

Algebra I10%-11 vs state

3.8

5 ratings · 4 written reviews

5★3

4★0

3★1

2★0

1★1

Rate Centennial High

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a parent
Wednesday, May 11, 2011

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

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

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

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

Schools Near Centennial High

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				MCAP Mathematics (2026)				MCAP English Language Arts (2026)					MCAP Algebra I (2026)	MCAP Algebra II (2026)	MCAP Science (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MCAP Mathematics 6th Grade	MCAP Mathematics 7th Grade	MCAP Mathematics 8th Grade	MCAP Mathematics All Grades	MCAP English Language Arts 6th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 7th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 8th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts 10th Grade	MCAP English Language Arts All Grades	MCAP Algebra I End of Course	MCAP Algebra II End of Course	MCAP Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Centennial High	Public	9-12	4300 Centennial Ln	Ellicott City	21042	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-2856	1,377	81	17.0	18.5%	455 (33.0%)	185 (13.4%)	107 (7.8%)	547 (39.7%)	3 (0.2%)	2 (0.1%)	74 (5.4%)	68.4	25^th of 227 public high schools	89.0%		70.6	23^rd of 220 public high schools	89.5%	2				34.0				84.2	84.2	10.2	43.2		$17,982	$875	$17,107
Homewood School	Public	6-12	10914 Clarksville Pike	Ellicott City	21042	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-7081	109	43	2.5	45.9%	36 (33.0%)	40 (36.7%)	18 (16.5%)	5 (4.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (8.3%)	11.2	214^th of 227 public high schools	5.7%		10.8	213^th of 220 public high schools	3.2%	1				1.4				13.8	20.0	3.3	0.0		$81,791	$2,291	$79,501
Applications and Research Laboratory	Public	9-12	10920 Clarksville Pike	Ellicott City	21042	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-6698	0	33	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Wilde Lake High	Public	9-12	5460 Trumpeter Rd	Columbia	21044	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-6965	1,197	86	13.9	42.6%	264 (22.1%)	534 (44.6%)	208 (17.4%)	78 (6.5%)	3 (0.3%)	5 (0.4%)	101 (8.4%)	30.1	144^th of 227 public high schools	36.6%		32.1	131^st of 220 public high schools	40.5%	13				7.9				54.0	54.0	2.7	12.4		$21,629	$1,004	$20,625
Oakland Mills High	Public	9-12	9410 Kilimanjaro Rd	Columbia	21045	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-6945	1,413	103	13.7	43.2%	227 (16.1%)	628 (44.4%)	314 (22.2%)	119 (8.4%)	4 (0.3%)	2 (0.1%)	112 (7.9%)	35	127^th of 227 public high schools	44.1%		35.2	121^st of 220 public high schools	45.0%	6				7.8				61.9	61.9	6.2	9.2		$20,779	$1,052	$19,727
Howard High	Public	9-12	8700 Old Annapolis Rd	Ellicott City	21043	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-2867	1,493	96	15.5	20.2%	518 (34.7%)	348 (23.3%)	94 (6.3%)	418 (28.0%)	2 (0.1%)	3 (0.2%)	108 (7.2%)	66.7	28^th of 227 public high schools	87.7%		62.9	33^rd of 220 public high schools	85.0%	5				31.8				82.4	82.4	8.6	40.1		$19,053	$880	$18,174
Mount Hebron High	Public	9-12	9440 Old Frederick Road	Ellicott City	21042	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-2880	1,455	93	15.6	19.2%	543 (37.3%)	197 (13.5%)	142 (9.8%)	506 (34.8%)	5 (0.3%)	3 (0.2%)	54 (3.7%)	62.6	37^th of 227 public high schools	83.7%		61.5	36^th of 220 public high schools	83.6%	1				29.7				80.7	80.7	16.4	37.7		$18,995	$885	$18,110
River Hill High	Public	9-12	12101 Clarksville Pike	Clarksville	21029	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-7120	1,383	78	17.7	7.7%	457 (33.0%)	182 (13.2%)	76 (5.5%)	586 (42.4%)	4 (0.3%)	2 (0.1%)	72 (5.2%)	81.7	11^th of 227 public high schools	95.2%		78.4	12^th of 220 public high schools	94.5%	1				49.4				93.3	93.3	17.8	58.4		$17,496	$854	$16,643
Long Reach High	Public	9-12	6101 Old Dobbin Ln	Columbia	21045	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-7117	1,334	97	13.7	37.6%	312 (23.4%)	367 (27.5%)	399 (29.9%)	154 (11.5%)	2 (0.1%)	2 (0.1%)	94 (7.0%)	40.6	110^th of 227 public high schools	51.5%		36.2	120^th of 220 public high schools	45.5%	10				14.2				62.8	62.8	3.6	22.1		$20,610	$892	$19,718
Atholton High	Public	9-12	6520 Freetown Rd	Columbia	21044	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-7065	1,540	92	16.7	22.9%	412 (26.8%)	497 (32.3%)	217 (14.1%)	288 (18.7%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.1%)	118 (7.7%)	51.9	67^th of 227 public high schools	70.5%		53.6	58^th of 220 public high schools	73.6%	9				18.7				75.5	75.5	9.0	22.7		$18,240	$836	$17,404

Frequently Asked Questions about Centennial High

How many students attend Centennial High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,377 students attended Centennial High.

What is the racial makeup of Centennial High?

Students at Centennial High are 40% Asian, 33% White, 13% African American, 8% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races.

Is Centennial High a good school?

Centennial High ranks 25^th of 227 Maryland high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What district is Centennial High in?

Howard County Public Schools

What schools feed into Centennial High?

Centennial High is fed by the following schools:

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

Rate Centennial High!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

MDMaryland High School Rankings

MDMaryland District Rankings

Schools in Ellicott City, MD

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Centennial High!

Latest Maryland data All new data »

2025–26 MCAP test scoresJul 28, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJun 13, 2026

2024–25 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesJun 13, 2026

2024–25 MCAP test scoresAug 26, 2025

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.