Howard High School (Maryland)

Howard High School is a public high school located in Ellicott City, Maryland, United States. It is part of the Howard County Public School System, and serves families from Ellicott City, Elkridge, Hanover and Columbia, Maryland.

History
In 1938, Howard County used WPA money and bus contracts to close and consolidate many one-room schoolhouses into several central schools. Most of the county saw little school construction until after World War II. The school board recommended a single central high school for all white students in the county. By 1949, a state bond bill seemed imminent, and plans were refined for a central high school serving the first, second and sixth county districts. A site was picked at the family farm of General Charles D. Gaither, whose grandfather, George R. Gaither, once raised cavalry for J. E. B. Stuart onsite. Bids were opened on 26 April 1951 with prices ranging from $838,000 to $683,000. Four additional rooms were ordered in 1952 for an additional $30,000 in expenses. 12 additional acres were purchased from the Gaither family for $5,000, with board member Charles E. Miller contributing $2,500 for the land and demolition of the "colored house and corn crib" on the property.

Five names were considered for the school: John Eager Howard High School, Charles Carroll of Carrollton High School, General Gaither High School, Edwin Warfield High School, and Howard County High School. The school opened as "Howard County Senior High School" in 1952. In 1954, Marie T. Gaither offered 42 acres of adjoining land for $15,000 to expand the school grounds, which was declined by the school board.

A highlight commencement was once attended by Supreme Court Justice, Tom C. Clark who arrived by helicopter. The population is both culturally and economically diverse with over three quarters of the graduates enrolling in post-secondary institutions.

Renovation
At the opening of the 2006-2007 school year, Howard completed its renovations, which included a brand new cafeteria attached to an atrium, two new wings on opposite ends on the school, an auxiliary gym (in which the previous cafeteria was positioned), and a new track around the football field. The renovation also provided the Art and Science Department with a darkroom and several laboratories. At the end of the same school year, Howard placed a copper statue of a lion overlooking the Stadium Field.

Athletics
Howard High School has won the following state championships & athletic accomplishments:
 * 2021 - Girls' Track and Field
 * 2021 - Girls' Cross Country County Championships
 * 2019 - Girls' Cross Country
 * 2015 - Boys' Lacrosse
 * 2007 - Girls' Cross Country
 * 2007 - Boys' Track & Field
 * 2006 - Boys' Track & Field
 * 2006 - Girls' Cross County
 * 1995 - Girls' Track & Field
 * 1994 - Girls' Basketball
 * 1992 - Girls' Track & Field
 * 1989 - Boys' Soccer
 * 1989 - Boys' Indoor Track 2A-1A
 * 1985 - Boys' Indoor Track BC
 * 1985 - Boys' Track & Field
 * 1984 - Boys' Indoor Track BC
 * 1980 - Girls' Volleyball
 * 1974 - Football

Notable alumni

 * Michael Chabon, Pulitzer Prize winning author
 * Bryce Hall, American social media personality
 * Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit
 * Benny Mardones, Singer-Songwriter