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Wilde Lake Middle

Q: Is Wilde Lake Middle a good school?

Wilde Lake Middle ranks 115 th of 339 Maryland middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

115^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 339 Maryland Middle Schools

Better than 66% of Maryland middle schools

Summary

Wilde Lake Middle in Columbia, MD, serves 643 students in grades 6-8 and is part of the highly-rated Howard County Public Schools district, though it presents a mixed performance profile compared to its high-achieving neighbors.

The school's most significant challenge is a chronic absenteeism rate of 25.6%, which is nearly 50% higher than the district average of 17.4% and dramatically higher than top-performing nearby schools like Clarksville Middle (7.7%) and Lime Kiln Middle (8.1%). This absenteeism strongly correlates with lower overall test scores. However, Wilde Lake shows a fascinating paradox in math: while its general math proficiency is below the district average, students who take Algebra I achieve exceptional results, with 75.3% proficient compared to the district's 41.2%. This suggests a strong advanced math program even as the standard curriculum struggles. The school also spends significantly more per student ($21,976) than many higher-performing peers, such as Burleigh Manor Middle ($16,394), and maintains a lower student-teacher ratio of 13.2, indicating a resource-intensive approach that hasn't yet translated into top-tier overall scores.

Interestingly, Wilde Lake consistently outperforms its closest neighbor, Harpers Choice Middle, which is only 0.79 miles away and shares similar demographics. For example, Wilde Lake's English Language Arts proficiency was 58.1% versus Harpers Choice's 45.9% in 2025-2026. The school also shows mixed results for different student groups, ranking highly for Hispanic, White, and Multi-racial students but struggling with outcomes for low socio-economic status students. For parents, the key takeaway is that Wilde Lake offers strong advanced academic opportunities and invests heavily in student support, but addressing chronic absenteeism is likely the most critical factor for improving overall performance.

643

Students ?

13.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$21,976

Per pupil spending ?

39%

Free/discounted lunch ?

10481 Cross Fox Ln
Columbia, MD 21044-2141

(410) 313-6957

District: Howard County Public Schools

Feeder schools for Wilde Lake Middle:

Elementary:	Bryant Woods Elementary
	Clemens Crossing Elementary
	Running Brook Elementary

Racial breakdown:

African American:

43.1%

White:

29.7%

Hispanic:

12.8%

See top rated Maryland middle schools

Compare Wilde Lake Middle to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 48th percentile in 2016 → 66th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Maryland average (46% vs 37% meeting standards)

✓Ranking is trending up — up 18 percentile points since 2016

✓Above the Maryland median (66th percentile)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school46%

District avg53%

Maryland avg37%

115^th of 339

Maryland public middle schools ?

Top 34%▲ up 18 pts since 2016

From bottom 48% (2016) to top 34% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Maryland Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

13^th of 20Middle Schools in the Howard County Public Schools

4^th of 25Howard 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	64.4	115 of 339	66.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	62.8	115 of 337	65.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	56.1	111 of 328	66.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	54.8	119 of 322	63.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	65.8	105 of 333	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	64.0	86 of 303	71.6%	★★★★☆
2019	47.9	149 of 316	52.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	51.4	151 of 328	54.0%	★★★☆☆
2017	49.3	157 of 317	50.5%	★★★☆☆
2016	45.4	163 of 314	48.1%	★★☆☆☆
2015	52.1	130 of 315	58.7%	★★★☆☆
2014	60.5	150 of 339	55.8%	★★★☆☆
2013	47.3	173 of 316	45.3%	★★☆☆☆
2012	56.3	153 of 314	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2011	61.8	136 of 309	56.0%	★★★☆☆
2010	53.4	179 of 324	44.8%	★★☆☆☆
2009	60.5	146 of 301	51.5%	★★★☆☆
2008	59.0	139 of 283	50.9%	★★★☆☆
2007	41.3	155 of 264	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2006	44.0	146 of 254	42.5%	★★☆☆☆
2005	42.4	154 of 255	39.6%	★★☆☆☆
2004	32.9	173 of 252	31.3%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	46.6	129 of 259	50.2%	★★★☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	28.6	93 of 116	19.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	66.1	78 of 303	74.3%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	63.2	56 of 207	72.9%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	25.8	233 of 273	14.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	57.4	101 of 288	64.9%	★★★☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	68.0	35 of 136	74.3%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	36.8	81 of 120	32.5%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Maryland percentile	Rating
2021	70.2	60 of 210	71.4%	★★★★☆

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)

Multi-racial (2021)74th percentile+3 vs school

Female (2021)74th percentile+3 vs school

Hispanic (2021)73rd percentile~ school

White (2021)71st percentile~ school

Male (2021)65th percentile-7 vs school

African American (2021)50th percentile-21 vs school

Special Education (2021)32nd percentile-39 vs school

Asian (2021)20th percentile-52 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2021)15th percentile-57 vs school

By subject vs Maryland (2025-2026) ?

Algebra I75%+54 vs state

Geometry59%+15 vs state

English Language Arts58%+6 vs state

Mathematics34%+7 vs state

Science30%~ state avg

1.0

3 ratings · 3 written reviews

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What people are saying

by a parent
Wednesday, October 13, 2021

I am appalled at this school. It is very shameful how they run that school... your child could be seriously hurt in this school and no one will be able to tell you factually what happened. The teachers appear to be just as educated as the children. The principal should have stayed a teacher himself. The school psychologist is just something to shake your head at. It is a shame and black children just don't have a chance in this school and if anyone does not start understanding this point it is only going to affect our children. My son has an active IEP on file but goals are centered around things that does not apply to him. The IEP is centered around guidelines statewide making it not Individualized as it should be. I have tried unsuccessfully to get this school to look at the IEP and make the necessary adjustments. They have feelings that are supposed to be respected but your concerns for your child is disregarded as unnecessary. All the while they are passing your child through school with no understanding of what is going on around them. Setting them up for failure in their future. It is very sad how this school is ran. Christopher Rattay should be asked to resign and allow someone to enter the school who can relate to the community in which they are servicing. All we as outside races see is this man who does not understand anything that we are saying about our child because he does not have the same issues for his child. Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, February 5, 2016

Most of the staff is disrespectful to the students,and they can't handle disputes between
Students well. My child was having a problem with another student and They sent my child
Home before dismissal. Anything could've happened to him, he usually walks home with a
Group of other students to make it a little safer for him. They didn't even try to contact me to tell me this had happened, they just him home. That day I called the school for an explanation as to why they thought that was the right thing to do and they
Told me it was for the safety for the other student. So that child's safety is more important than my own? Wow, ok. I wouldn't recommend this school to anyone. Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Howard County schools are known to be some of the best in the U.S., but not all school are of equal quality. In fact, there is a huge difference among schools, so beware if you are deciding where to live. At Wilde Lake Middle, you will find excellent students, but at least half of the population are thugs, a truly rough crowd. Bullying and other violence is a huge problem at this school. The principal uses a "hands off" approach, and neither the staff/teachers nor the students seem to like her. There is also a wide range in terms of teacher quality--from awful to excellent. I would put all of the math teachers in the "awful" category, but the English teachers could mostly be put in the "excellent" group. My son's math scores went down after one year at this school, so we are moving to a different district. Close Quote

Schools Near Wilde Lake Middle

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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 Geometry (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 All Grades	MCAP Algebra I End of Course	MCAP Algebra II End of Course	MCAP Geometry End of Course	MCAP Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Wilde Lake Middle	Public	6-8	10481 Cross Fox Ln	Columbia	21044	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-6957	643	49	13.2	39.0%	191 (29.7%)	277 (43.1%)	82 (12.8%)	35 (5.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	56 (8.7%)	64.4	115^th of 339 public middle schools	66.1%		62.8	115^th of 337 public middle schools	65.9%		35.6	19.9	5.1	33.8	57.7	57.2	59.4	58.1	75.3		59.3	30.0	$21,976	$912	$21,064
Harpers Choice Middle	Public	6-8	5450 Beaverkill Rd	Columbia	21044	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-6929	471	41	11.5	46.9%	87 (18.5%)	204 (43.3%)	109 (23.1%)	38 (8.1%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	31 (6.6%)	43.4	177^th of 339 public middle schools	47.8%		41.9	182^nd of 337 public middle schools	46.0%	5	20.1	8.0	3.8	25.2	45.1	48.4	44.2	45.9	75.4		72.7	27.0	$23,115	$920	$22,195
Oakland Mills Middle	Public	6-8	9540 Kilimanjaro Rd	Columbia	21045	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-6937	415	35	11.8	48.4%	87 (21.0%)	135 (32.5%)	133 (32.0%)	26 (6.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	32 (7.7%)	53.5	145^th of 339 public middle schools	57.2%		56.4	132^nd of 337 public middle schools	60.8%	13	23.7	8.6	21.6	26.0	40.5	54.0	51.2	48.6	53.3		61.9	29.5	$24,494	$1,060	$23,433
Lake Elkhorn Middle	Public	6-8	6680 Cradlerock Way	Columbia	21045	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-7600	569	47	12.2	49.0%	89 (15.6%)	272 (47.8%)	129 (22.7%)	32 (5.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (7.7%)	44.9	173^rd of 339 public middle schools	49.0%		48.1	162^nd of 337 public middle schools	51.9%	11	23.5	8.0	5.0	19.3	47.8	48.9	49.4	48.7	48.4		54.2	20.1	$20,282	$1,058	$19,224
Burleigh Manor Middle	Public	6-8	4200 Centennial Lane	Ellicott City	21042	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-2507	777	49	15.7	17.5%	228 (29.3%)	81 (10.4%)	63 (8.1%)	347 (44.7%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	53 (6.8%)	95.6	12^th of 339 public middle schools	96.5%		96.6	6^th of 337 public middle schools	98.2%	6	48.3	45.2	39.8	60.4	75.2	80.9	83.5	79.9	80.5	100.0	90.5	61.5	$16,394	$650	$15,744
Clarksville Middle	Public	6-8	6535 S Trotter Rd	Clarksville	21029	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-7057	679	41	16.6	6.6%	224 (33.0%)	93 (13.7%)	20 (2.9%)	301 (44.3%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	39 (5.7%)	96.4	7^th of 339 public middle schools	97.9%		97.7	3^rd of 337 public middle schools	99.1%	4	68.2	36.3	32.8	72.8	80.2	82.7	82.6	81.8	95.0	100.0	95.8	68.3	$17,045	$619	$16,426
Dunloggin Middle	Public	6-8	9129 Northfield Rd	Ellicott City	21042	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-2831	623	45	13.9	25.4%	185 (29.7%)	141 (22.6%)	56 (9.0%)	207 (33.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (5.5%)	86.4	43^rd of 339 public middle schools	87.3%		84.4	51^st of 337 public middle schools	84.9%	8	47.3	41.1	18.5	46.7	70.8	76.2	66.3	70.8	58.6		64.3	38.8	$17,730	$784	$16,947
Ellicott Mills Middle	Public	6-8	4445 Montgomery Rd	Ellicott City	21043	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 313-2839	698	49	14.3	14.6%	197 (28.2%)	111 (15.9%)	39 (5.6%)	300 (43.0%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	49 (7.0%)	93.8	17^th of 339 public middle schools	95.0%		91.7	28^th of 337 public middle schools	91.7%	11	54.8	43.0	13.4	54.3	78.6	80.2	80.4	79.8	72.0	100.0	66.3	64.3	$17,633	$822	$16,811
Hammond Middle	Public	6-8	8100 Aladdin Dr	Laurel	20723	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 880-5830	604	41	14.8	16.4%	232 (38.4%)	174 (28.8%)	60 (9.9%)	76 (12.6%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	60 (9.9%)	82.9	60^th of 339 public middle schools	82.3%		84.9	50^th of 337 public middle schools	85.2%	10	38.1	27.6	11.1	42.7	69.4	74.3	67.5	70.6	66.7		82.9	43.3	$17,343	$742	$16,601
Lime Kiln Middle	Public	6-8	11650 Scaggsville Rd	Fulton	20759	Howard County	Howard County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(410) 880-5988	675	43	15.6	8.6%	255 (37.8%)	112 (16.6%)	43 (6.4%)	212 (31.4%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	51 (7.6%)	95.2	14^th of 339 public middle schools	95.9%		94.7	13^th of 337 public middle schools	96.1%	1	59.9	43.0	14.3	58.5	83.0	87.2	80.9	83.7	72.5	100.0	85.3	59.7	$17,144	$859	$16,285

Frequently Asked Questions about Wilde Lake Middle

What is the racial makeup of Wilde Lake Middle?

Students at Wilde Lake Middle are 43% African American, 30% White, 13% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 5% Asian.

Is Wilde Lake Middle a good school?

Wilde Lake Middle ranks 115^th of 339 Maryland middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Wilde Lake Middle?

In the 2024-25 school year, 643 students attended Wilde Lake Middle.

What district is Wilde Lake Middle in?

Howard County Public Schools

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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.