Wilde Lake High School

Posted: August 26, 2026

I’d like to thank this school for doing absolutely nothing while I was relentlessly bullied, and for only giving me a class swap after I finally stood up for myself against my bully. It was incredibly frustrating to feel like the solution was essentially to move me instead of addressing the person who was making my life miserable in the first place.

My experience at this school was extremely traumatic. Going there every day felt like hell, and I constantly felt like I had to endure things that the adults around me should have been addressing. Teachers frequently ignored bullying when it was happening right in front of them, and there seemed to be very little accountability for students who repeatedly mistreated others. The overall environment could be incredibly hostile, and unfortunately, a lot of the student body contributed to that atmosphere. There were plenty of students who were disrespectful, aggressive, and perfectly comfortable bullying other people.

The staff, with very few exceptions, were not particularly helpful. I will specifically acknowledge Ms. Anderson, who was one of the few staff members who actually made me feel seen and supported. Unfortunately, one good staff member cannot make up for an entire system that repeatedly failed me. If you were struggling with your mental health, there also weren’t many meaningful ways to escape an environment that was already overwhelming. Sometimes you simply had to keep showing up to the same place that was making you miserable and pretend everything was fine.

I genuinely hope this school has improved since I attended, because students deserve better than what I experienced. Bullying should not have to reach a breaking point before adults take it seriously, and students who are struggling mentally should have somewhere safe to turn. My time at this school left me with extremely negative memories, and I would never describe my experience there as a positive one.

Posted: August 26, 2026

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Posted: October 19, 2023

This school gets so much hate for no reason. The school is great! The admin really do try their best to run it well and there are teachers and staff that care about the students. The school is diverse and there's plenty to do. I would recommend!

Posted: October 19, 2023

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Posted: August 11, 2023

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Posted: August 11, 2023

Three exchange students we hosted had great experiences at Wilde Lake, and our own daughter is currently there. I can’t say enough good things about the teachers, the administration, and the student services team. While some like to hate on the Lake because of the challenges brought by some students, those students who are there to learn will do well.

Posted: January 3, 2023

My daughter goes here and she ABSOLUTELY loves it. The teachers here are amazing. The school spirit is on par with a D1 college. The student body and the admin within the school embody the belief that everyone has the opportunity to better themselves and that they are one big family. The diversity in the school is amazing, my daughter feels accepted for who she is in the racial aspect and in the personality aspect. #OHANA.

Posted: January 3, 2023

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Posted: November 17, 2022

The worst school in the County! The teachers do NOT care if their students learn. The teachers have said as long as the barely pass is all they care about! The fights are almost every day! My daughter is traumatized when she walls out of her classroom to see another student covered in blood! The school always sweeping things under the rug and not addressing the problem! THERE ARE MAJOR PROBLEMS AT THIS SCHOOL

Posted: November 17, 2022

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Posted: July 6, 2022

The school is comprised of some great educators. My child feels supported and his needs are met. The facility is fine and is accessible.

Posted: July 6, 2022

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Posted: June 15, 2022

Both of my children matriculated through Wilde Lake HS. Both went on to graduate from universities and are well adjusted successful young adults. All but one teacher were engaged and supportive. They were active members of the school community and socially connected. I have praise and no complaints about our family’s time at the Lake.

Posted: June 15, 2022

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Posted: August 20, 2018

Excellent school! Your child will receive an education within the Howard County School Distict (one of the top in the nation) while attending one of most diverse and spirited schools in the County. Students here are well-rounded and better prepared for life in the real world compared to some of less-diverse but more “highly regarded” county schools.

Posted: August 20, 2018

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Posted: August 17, 2018

Counseling center has been very supportive of my child, who's been emotionally overwhelmed by the size and behavior of the student body. Teachers have been a mixed bag - some are truly caring and supportive, others just seem to be going through the motions, and a handful seem to have their hands full controlling the classrooms. A new principal took over in the fall of 2017, and he may be attempting to change the atmosphere, but I am concerned about the recent turnover with the faculty and the counseling center.

Posted: August 17, 2018

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Posted: August 17, 2018

Each year, several fights break out within the school.

Posted: February 3, 2017

Both of my children graduated there, went on to get their degrees in four years and currently have great jobs and are out of the house. Excellent job Wilde Lake Staff!

Posted: February 3, 2017

School constantly reiterates that bulling is not acceptable.

Posted: February 3, 2017

School must have at least four levels for the core classes.

Posted: February 3, 2017

Posted: February 3, 2017

Throughout the years, I felt the school thought the importance of personal freedoms and respect for all.

Posted: February 3, 2017

Teachers are strongly involved in extracurricular activities, always available for conferences, pleasant, and knowledgeable.

Posted: February 3, 2017

Teacher's kept my daughters on their toes. Plenty of homework.

Posted: April 15, 2016

Posted: April 15, 2016

For the academically oriented kids, there is a lot of homework but it pays off in the long run. The AP teachers assign a lot of extra work but it really does help them do well on the AP test.

Posted: April 15, 2016

Posted: April 15, 2016

My daughter graduated from Wilde Lake last year and had an excellent selection of colleges from which to choose. She was academically challenged, had the opportunity to play multiple sports, was well prepared for her college experience, and was involved in numerous extra-curricular activities. The administration, lead by an outstanding principal, is among the best in the county. The AP teachers are excellent (Wilde Lake AP scores are generally number 1 or 2 of all the county high schools). The diversity of the school was a great part of her school experience. I have heard kids from other Howard County schools say that they want to go to a college that is diverse because their high school was not. I say go to Wilde Lake High School where you can have it all!

Posted: April 14, 2016

We have had two boys go through Wilde Lake, it is diverse, supportive, accepting, and academically challenging, all in one package. Most of the teachers are excellent, with the exception of a few weak links, but for the most part excellent. The administration is phenomenal. Period. LOVE the principals and vices, and even the arts are excellent. We had the experience of mostly honors, GT and AP classes, so I cannot speak to the quality of the on-grade classes. The diversity of Wilde Lake and Columbia is what brought us to Columbia 18 years ago, when we craved a diverse area to raise our family and Wilde Lake is truly a testament to what James Rouse had envisioned when he designed Columbia. We have neighbors whose children have gone to through Wilde Lake and ended up at Duke, Harvard, Columbia, you name it.

Posted: April 14, 2016

I can mostly speak for the Honors, GT and AP, but after having two kids go through Wilde Lake, there are only maybe 2 we felt were not as affective or gifted in the art of teaching as they should have been.

Posted: April 14, 2016

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Posted: April 8, 2016

Great school. Kids learned a lot and were very prepared for college. Definitely recommended for everyone.

Posted: October 8, 2014

I am the parent of a recent graduate of WLHS. Mr. LeMon and the administration are excellent. There are many excellent teachers at WL who are engaged in the students' education while at WL and beyond. Another bonus of WL is that the student population is very diverse. My only complaint is that more parents need to be involved.

Posted: October 7, 2014

Wilde Lake High School is a great school. The teachers and administrators are talented and highly engaged. The extra curricular activities are diverse and welcoming of all skill levels. The students are challenged and supported academically to succeed. We are fortunate to have such a great school in our community.

Posted: May 6, 2014

I am a parent of a student at Wilde Lake High School. I have been very happy with the schools efforts to provide the highest standards of education to my daughter these past few years. I am an advocate for higher education and would recommend this school to any parent who is intending on moving into this area.

Posted: April 14, 2014

WLHS has an exceptional principal and vice principles. Most of the teachers are exceptional, but a few of them need more training in dealing with diverse students/parents. However, any concerns are quickly addressed and resolved. If a parent is involved, the school offers an excellent academic and extra curriculum activities; that your child can participate in. The parents and teachers are the most generous and proactive group that I have been involved with. My child loves the school, and she has quickly formed many friends. She is involved in sports, band, and still maintains high grades.

Posted: November 23, 2013

My daughter graduated Wild Lake High last year. Outstanding teachers and administation, AP and GT classes, drama and music program which is second to none. My daughter is University of Maryland honors program with wonderful education from WLHS and great memories.

Posted: February 21, 2013

I graduated from WLHS and it was a wonderful four-year educational experience. Almost all of my friends at this school ended up going onto Ivy League or equivalent top-notch liberal arts schools and universities, like Wake Forest University where I attended. The English program, the amazing music and theater programs, the GT programs, the challenging teachers, so many things about the school prepared me well for college level coursework. It was actually cool in my class to be applying to 7 colleges including the "safety schools and the reach schools" and most of us ended up at the reach schools, and we went to colleges across the nation knowing more than other students about diversity and culture. We still have reunions and I will always be PROUD to be a WILDECAT!