Applications and Research Laboratory

Howard County Public Schools
10920 Clarksville Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042
Ungraded UG - UG
School Overview
The Applications and Research Laboratory (ARL) is a specialized magnet school located in Ellicott City, Maryland, serving as part of the Howard County Public School System. Unlike a traditional neighborhood high school, the ARL serves as an intensive career-focused hub. Students typically attend the ARL for half-day sessions while remaining enrolled in their home high school, allowing them to engage in rigorous, hands-on learning environments that simulate real-world professional workplaces.

The school is designed to bridge the gap between high school academics and post-secondary career or university success. It offers a wide array of specialized academies—such as Aerospace Engineering, Biotechnology, Cybersecurity, Construction Management, and Health Professions—which feature state-of-the-art labs and equipment. By providing students with industry-standard certifications, college-level curriculum, and opportunities for internships or apprenticeships, the ARL prepares its attendees to enter competitive workforce sectors or pursue advanced studies with a significant head start.
N/A
Total Students
40.6
Full-Time Teachers
N/A
Student/Teacher Ratio
N/A
Free/Reduced Lunch
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: Ungraded
School Type: Alternative School
Charter Status:* Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction: No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status: Yes
District: Howard County Public Schools
Phone: (410)313-6698
Grade Range: UG - UG
Total Students: N/A
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 40.6
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: N/A
NSLP Participation:1 Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch: N/A
Qualified Reduced Lunch: N/A

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

1 National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught
Ungraded