High Ridge Center Reopens With New Purpose

Howard County's historic school building will now house Black Greek Letter organizations

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Howard County Executive Calvin Ball joined the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Howard County, Inc. to celebrate the reopening of the High Ridge Center, a former school building that will now serve as the new home for Howard County's Black Greek Letter organizations, including Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and others.

Why it matters

The High Ridge Center's new purpose as a hub for Howard County's Black Greek Letter organizations represents an important step in preserving and celebrating the legacy and community impact of these historic groups. The facility will provide dedicated office space and shared meeting/event areas for the organizations to continue their work of scholarship, service, and social action.

The details

Originally constructed in 1962 as Rockland Elementary School, the High Ridge Center was decommissioned in 1982 and ownership was transferred to Howard County. Since then, the lower level has housed the Community Action Council of Howard County's Head Start program, while the upper level was the headquarters of the Howard County Arts Council until their recent relocation. The county has now entered into a formal lease agreement with the nonprofit NPHC Howard County to occupy the upper level, providing each Black Greek Letter organization with a dedicated office space as well as shared multipurpose rooms.

  • The High Ridge Center was originally constructed in 1962 as Rockland Elementary School.
  • The school was decommissioned in 1982 and ownership was transferred to Howard County.
  • Since 1979, the High Ridge Center's lower floor has housed the Community Action Council of Howard County's Head Start program.
  • Since 1983, the High Ridge Center's upper level has been the headquarters of the Howard County Arts Council.
  • In December 2025, the Howard County Arts Council relocated to the new Capitoline Center, making the upper level of the High Ridge Center available for adaptive reuse.

The players

Calvin Ball

Howard County Executive who joined the celebration of the High Ridge Center's reopening.

National Pan-Hellenic Council of Howard County, Inc.

The nonprofit organization that will lease the upper level of the High Ridge Center to house Howard County's Black Greek Letter organizations.

Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

One of the Black Greek Letter organizations that will have a dedicated office space in the High Ridge Center.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

One of the Black Greek Letter organizations that will have a dedicated office space in the High Ridge Center.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

One of the Black Greek Letter organizations that will have a dedicated office space in the High Ridge Center.

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What they’re saying

“Throughout nearly 21,000 square feet we, united in purpose and powered by legacy, will hang our tapestry, breathing new life into this building and to our missions. Not as isolated letters, but as living legacies.”

— Calvin Ball, Howard County Executive (Patch.com)

“At a time where so many of our families are in need, the grand opening of the High Ridge Center — County Executive Ball's visionary project — is critical to the wellbeing of our communities. This is one of the first spaces of its kind, bringing all Divine 9 organizations under one roof. More than a building, the High Ridge Center is a hub for service, fellowship, community, and leadership.”

— Angela Alsobrooks, U.S. Senator (Patch.com)

“This is what fraternity and sorority looks like beyond colors and letters, it is leadership, policy and transformation. We are not guests in history. We are architects of it.”

— Darshal Smith, NPHC Howard County Chapter President and Omega Eta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Patch.com)

What’s next

Future renovations to the High Ridge Center will include the installation of a new geothermal energy system and improvements to the Head Start playground on the lower level.

The takeaway

The repurposing of the High Ridge Center as a hub for Howard County's Black Greek Letter organizations represents an important investment in preserving the legacy and community impact of these historic groups. By providing dedicated office and meeting spaces, the facility will enable the organizations to continue their vital work of scholarship, service, and social action.