2023 Best Schools in Ellicott City

• Howard County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  321 reviews

Junior: I love Marriotts Ridge. Almost all of my teachers have genuinely cared for the student’s education and put in full effort to teach them. I had a lot of teachers I was very comfortable and close with. I always felt safe at Marriotts Ridge. All the counselors are so kind and helpful as well. I love how involved with sports, clubs, etc everyone is. Most of the students value their education which sets a great example for everyone else, and creates a studious environment. Spirit weeks and athletic events are always so enjoyable, especially because so many people participate!... Read 321 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,597

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Owings Mills, MD•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.36 out of 5  163 reviews

Junior: Mcdonogh School fosters learning in a diverse, collaborative environment. Students from all different walks of life meet together and are able to personalize their schedules with unique classes that meet them where they're at. Academics are rigorous, but manageable, and the sports and school spirit are fantastic. I feel that there's a strong sense of community and gorgeous campus at Mcdonogh, as well as some great teachers. The math department is somewhat lacking in staff, but otherwise, most classes are fun and well-taught.... Read 163 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,455

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Stevenson, MD•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.29 out of 5  99 reviews

Alum: My exchange year experience in St. Timothy’s school was excellent. I’m from Spain and I spent my sophomore year as a boarder. I had never spent a year away from home and I was terrified at first but after only a month this school felt like a new home to me and I made friends that are like family. The girls were very welcoming and I made friends from all over the world. Right now after two years I still keep in touch with them, I’ve recently come to Maryland to visit my best friend from school. One of the best things about St. Tim’s are the teachers, I could always count on them for an extra explanation which made adapting to the IB program easy. After some time I even switched to harder classes! St. Tim’s allowed me to grow as a person, I went from being very shy to being confident and independent. St. Timothy’s encouraged me to participate in every class and I learnt how to enjoy expressing my opinions in public. I will always feel part of the st. Tim’s community.... Read 99 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 198

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Baltimore, MD•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.37 out of 5  76 reviews

Alum: I attended Park School for 13 years (Kindergarten-12th Grade) and I couldn’t have wished for a better experience. I received a phenomenal education which prepared me well for college and taught me core values of advocating for myself, thinking outside the box, challenging my mind and more! The teachers want nothing more than for their students to succeed which is made possible by their incredible teaching as well as other recourses Park offers such as tutoring, counseling, and more! I honestly have nothing bad to say about Park School and after 13 years, I believe that speaks for itself. The school mainly has a hands on learning style but teachers frequently ask their students how they thrive (and what learning style works best for them). Personally, I believe it’s the incredible staff and students excited to learn which makes Park so special but we also have a incredible campus. I wish everyone had the opportunity to attend this pre K- 12 institution.... Read 76 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 848

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Owings Mills, MD•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.58 out of 5  110 reviews

Parent: Our daughter started at Garrison Forest in 5th grade (switched from a Baltimore County Public School) and we wish we moved her sooner! She is currently in 6th grade and has blossomed into a wonderful student, a passionate leader, and a caring community member. Garrison offers the most caring, encouraging, welcoming and, simultaneously, academically rigorous experience. Every person on that campus wants our daughters to succeed. The education is geared specifically toward empowering and encouraging girls to take changes in science, math, arts, sports, and anything else you can think of. Having visited and looked at all the private schools in our area, we could not imagine our daughter anywhere else. She goes to school with a huge smile on her face and come home full of amazing stories and experiences.... Read 110 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 513

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Howard County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.66 out of 5  365 reviews

Senior: Centennial is a small school that houses many students. The school is located in an extremely diverse county here in Maryland, and the diversity is shown through the schools many cultures. This school is known for its academics, and the students here are competitive when it comes to their grades. By senior year, a majority of the students are prepared for college and will graduate with the tools needed to be successful. Many teachers here are determined to provide students with an education needed for them to succeed beyond high school. Education and grades are so important in this school, that sports or any music & arts related activity is overlooked. The sports teams in this school are not very good. Any competition that this school is involved in relates to education. This school excels in competitions such as debate, mock trials, and even STEM related events. Although the school building may be small, this school packs a large group of diverse and intelligent students.... Read 365 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,467

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Ellicott City, MD•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  68 reviews

Parent: My daughter has been going to GCS for 7 years ago and is moving on to the Middle School next year. She is thriving academically and socially. The academics are challenging, but not overwhelming. She has become an exceptional writer and has fallen in love with STEM and the fine arts. Outside of the classroom, there is a positive sense of camaraderie among the students, faculty and parents. What stands out to me most is her relationship with her teachers. The teachers go above and beyond to mentor their students and instill a genuine love of learning. GCS continues to exceed our expectations in every way. GCS checked every box for us.... Read 68 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 761

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Broolandville, MD•

• Private School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 4.44 out of 5  52 reviews

Junior: St. Paul’s is a top-rated private school in Maryland. Whatever your son’s passions and interests may be, St. Paul’s has it covered. There are rich traditions at St. Paul’s, including the Boys’ Latin Rivalry, The “Victory” Bell, and the “Sock Hop”. Come be apart of a brotherhood and community where there is so much potential for your son to shine and grow. Drain the Lake!... Read 52 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 573

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Howard County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  472 reviews

Senior: Mt. Hebron High School is amazing, diverse school that provides the best education for their students and help them prepare for college readiness. Highly Recommend!... Read 472 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,635

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Baltimore, MD•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  94 reviews

Parent: Beth Tfiloh is a private Jewish day school offering strong academics, a wide variety of extra curricular activities, and a very strong social support network. The school embodies community while giving the kids the support they need to reach new and higher heights. The kids who have graduated from this school are equipped with the building blocks to succeed in college. The dual curriculum teaches them how to balance competing demands and priorities. Kids interested in sports, singing, woodworking, STEM, theatre, etc. all have opportunities to explore their passions here at this school. Rooted in Jewish morals and values, these kids are taught from a young age that respect and good deeds(mitzvot) are of the utmost importance. To have upstanding future leaders and community members you have to teach positive personal traits and healthy values and Beth Tfiloh 100% does this. As for the success part, the high school offers many AP classes and a college guidance department second to non.... Read 94 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 842

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Howard County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  498 reviews

Senior: Howard High School cultivates an environment that facilitates academic and personal growth by employing thoughtful, qualified, and caring staff, using hands on techniques to instill valuable lessons to students, and providing daily support to students through multiple venues. The extensive extracurricular community allows for any student to find their niche and thrive in it. The only problem I have with the school is the slight overcrowding that makes it difficult to manueveur throughout the building sometimes. I would recommend this school to parents, students, and teachers alike.... Read 498 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,828

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Spencerville, MD•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  63 reviews

Alum: As a student at Spencerville Adventist Academy, I have experienced numerous benefits including: small class sizes allowing for personalized attention, a focus on spiritual development, a wide range of extracurricular activities, opportunities for service and leadership, a strong sense of community, global awareness and cultural understanding, and a strong academic program that prepares students well for college. The teachers are dedicated and passionate about their subjects and provide the support and guidance necessary for students' academic success.... Read 63 reviews

• grade A

• Students 381

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Howard County Public Schools, MD•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  4 reviews

Parent: The teachers and staff at Waverly help their students meet success. The school administrators are very responsive, and take the time to get to know each student and family. We love our school!... Read 4 reviews

• grade A

• Students 899

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Howard County Public Schools, MD•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.38 out of 5  8 reviews

Middle School Student: Mount View was a great time for me. I had multiple teachers who were my best friends! But they weren’t as focused teaching well- more just being a good support system for students which I found was better for middle school students. I participated in like eight clubs because there were so many extracurriculars available to its students. Food isn’t great, but what do you expect from a public middle school... overall I was happy at this school.... Read 8 reviews

• grade A

• Students 835

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Howard County Public Schools, MD•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Parent: We were pleasantly surprised by WFES when we moved to HOCO. Our child is happy here. The teachers are excellent, they along with the staff and admin are very approachable and responsive. Class sizes are generally small, so the teachers can give individual attention to the kids based on their respective ability. PTA does quite a few events to build a community throughout the year. Our child has made several good friends here. Overall, we have had a very positive Elementary School experience at WFES!... Read 3 reviews

• grade A

• Students 376

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Brooklandville, MD•

• Private School•

• PK, 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  94 reviews

Senior: I entered SPSG in the 6th grade. I found it to be empowering for girls, and it provided me with self-confidence. I came from public school where the class size was 29 students to one teacher. SPSG class size is approximately 15 students to one teacher. The class size leads to a great learning environment, with students who are there to learn, like me! SPSG allows me to be independent, think outside the box, and explore other areas of learning.... Read 94 reviews

• grade A

• Students 411

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Howard County Public Schools, MD•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 467

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Howard County Public Schools, MD•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4.86 out of 5  7 reviews

Alum: Words I would use to describe the good side of my experience/ what I have noticed about Burleigh (not just super personal but more tied to the school) - Valuable, Challenging, Safe, Loving, Academic, Compelling, and Brisk Pros: -Pushes you to do and be better -Has lots of good/chill teachers -Don't worry too much if you have a hard time as a person making friends. People at first here may be intimidating because of competitiveness, but I've made friends over academics and association and it was enjoyable (you can find SOME place to fit in, just try a little) -Diverse -Lunch choices are nice/fine Cons: -In my experience, I have only had or felt 2 bad experiences with 2 teachers. One of them was just a little too over rigorous (in ways that weren't academic but unreasonably meticulous at times... don't worry it wasn't math or English) -They need to add mirrors in the girl's bathroom and add new durable curtains to the changing room. (When I was there I noticed this) All the best!... Read 7 reviews

• grade A

• Students 844

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Howard County Public Schools, MD•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: We have two kids at Ilchester and we are very happy with the school. Before moving to the area, we toured a few nearby schools and really liked the friendly staff and teachers at Ilchester. After spending two year at the IES, I have to say I am very impressed with everything. The teachers go out of they way to help the students. One of the teachers spent her after school time to help my kid with her music project. They do a great job supporting both students with special needs and gifted and talented students. The PTA works very well with the school and have many great activities throughout the year.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 556

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Howard County Public Schools, MD•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  4 reviews

Parent: We love CLES. We have felt welcomed since day one. The staff and administration go above and beyond. My second grader has made good friends and is doing well academically.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A

• Students 655

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Howard County Public Schools, MD•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: We moved from NJ last fall, and this school has been fantastic with all aspects of kids development. Very courteous admin staff and very competitive teaching staff . Orchestra is awesome too....lots of good, after school clubs. The kids felt right at home and the parenting volunteers are also in abundance. Could not have asked for a better school....... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 697

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Marriottsville, MD•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  99 reviews

Parent: My children transferred to CCA in 2020 and couldn't be happier. They each get individualized attention in the classroom and through athletics. There were many opportunities to play sports, join clubs, or participate in the school play through Covid to keep things "normal" for them. I was very impressed with the leadership and safety of the school when Covid began. Both children are thriving academically as well. I highly recommend Chapelgate!... Read 99 reviews

• grade A

• Students 366

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Severn, MD•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  325 reviews

Freshman: I love my school! The academics are amazing and have many options for all levels. Personally, I take the highest classes I can, but people taking lower classes succeed as well. I love my teachers and believe they generally prepare me very well. The extracurriculars at this school are amazing. I am heavily involved in the music program, and if you're a musician, this is the right school for you. I would be shocked if someone found a school in the area with a better music program. The sports are also amazing. Every Spalding team performs so well and I'm so impressed with all of them. Overall, as someone with very high goals, I feel that Archbishop Spalding is adequately preparing me and giving me every opportunity I could ever want, to the point where it's hard to even chose what to do at our school. We are amazing at so much, and I'm so lucky and happy to go here. Go Cavs!... Read 325 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,200

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Howard County Public Schools, MD•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  6 reviews

Middle School Student: The teachers are all very kind for the most part and definitely try to always push you to your full potential. They take their time with teaching and really seem to like their roles in the community. I experienced kindness from most students, however I struggled to socialize and keep lots of friends due to personal dilemmas (couldn't hang out at all outside of school hours and hence it was hard to get super close to other students). One thing I would love to see is breaks between classes. Being in one tiny building with nothing but learning for almost 7 hours (excluding lunch) can get tiring. It's hard to constantly be in a learning state of mind for so long. Otherwise, I loved this school and I am proud to say I just graduated from it.... Read 6 reviews

• grade A

• Students 789

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Baltimore, MD•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.32 out of 5  165 reviews

Senior: As a senior at Mount Saint Joseph High School, I have enjoyed many aspects of my high school experience. One thing that stands out to me is the sense of community at MSJ. There is a strong brotherhood among the students, and the faculty and staff are supportive and caring. I have also appreciated the academic rigor of the curriculum, which has prepared me well for college. However, there are also areas where I feel the school could improve. One thing that comes to mind is the lack of diversity among the student body and faculty. As an all-boys Catholic school, MSJ has historically had a predominantly white student body, and there is a need for greater representation and inclusivity. Also, while the school has made strides in technology integration, I think there is still room for improvement in terms of offering more innovative and engaging learning experiences.... Read 165 reviews

• grade A

• Students 830

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1