As the second continuously-operated high school in Howard County (after Howard High School), Glenelg opened its doors in 1958.[3] The school is named for Glenelg, a postal village named after Glenelg Manor, which in turn was named after the town of Glenelg, Scotland.[4]
The 22.79 acres of land for Glenelg was purchased from the Musgroves for in 1955 $9,117.40.[5] Glenelg opened as Howard County public schools were converting in a phased-in approach from segregated schools to integrated, one grade per year.[6][7][8]
A 1965 cross burning onsite was an indication of the strained race relations of the era.[9]
The building itself has gone through many changes over the years to cope with the growing population of the west side of Howard County, including a new drama/music wing, and most recently with the construction on a new science wing and an addition to the cafeteria.
Students
Glenelg student body enrollment through the years has fluctuated due to many factors, including new housing construction and redistricting. The demographics show mostly white youth.
In 2021, Glenelg was ranked as the 400th best high school in the nation, 9th best in Maryland, and 2nd best in Howard County, by U.S. News & World Report.[18]
Athletics
Glenelg has won the following state championships:
Baseball
First Howard County team to ever win State in baseball
Glenelg's FIRST Robotics Competition Team 888 came in first in 2002 at the Western Michigan Regional[43] and 2022 at the Chesapeake Greater DC regional event [44]
On May 24, 2018, Glenelg High School property was defaced with racially-charged hate speech.[45] The perpetrators spray-painted school property with swastikas and other racially-charged epithets.
