For the 2025 school year, there are 44 alternative public schools serving 2,361 students in Maryland.
The top ranked alternative public schools in Maryland are Post Secondary Program, Frederick County Virtual and Catonsville Center For Alternative Studies. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Maryland alternative public schools have an average math proficiency score of 15% (versus the Maryland public school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 30% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Maryland public school average of 68% (majority Black).
Best Alternative Public Schools in Maryland (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Post Secondary Program
Alternative School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
495 South Center Street
Westminster, MD 21157
(410) 751-3620
Westminster, MD 21157
(410) 751-3620
Gr: 12 | 40 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #22.
Frederick County Virtual
Alternative School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79% )
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1799 Schifferstadt Blvd
Frederick, MD 21701
(240) 236-8450
Frederick, MD 21701
(240) 236-8450
Gr: 9-12
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Catonsville Center For Alternative Studies
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
901 S Rolling Rd
Catonsville, MD 21228
(443) 809-0934
Catonsville, MD 21228
(443) 809-0934
Gr: 9-12 | 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Robert D. Stethem Educational Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7775 Marshall Corner Rd
Pomfret, MD 20675
(301) 932-1003
Pomfret, MD 20675
(301) 932-1003
Gr: 5-12
Rank: #55.
Gateway School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
45 Kate Wagner Road
Westminster, MD 21157
(410) 751-3691
Westminster, MD 21157
(410) 751-3691
Gr: 9-12 | 81 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #66.
Wicomico County Evening High School
Alternative School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 21-39% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
916 S. Schumaker Dr
Salisbury, MD 21804
(410) 677-4537
Salisbury, MD 21804
(410) 677-4537
Gr: 10-12 | 36 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #77.
Pride School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1100 Gist Road
Westminster, MD 21157
(410) 751-3653
Westminster, MD 21157
(410) 751-3653
Gr: K-4 | 9 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #88.
Baltimore County Home & Hospital
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
105 W. Chesapeake Avenue
Towson, MD 21204
(410) 887-3222
Towson, MD 21204
(410) 887-3222
Gr: PK-12
Rank: #99.
Bcdc Educational Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
105 W. Chesapeake Avenue
Towson, MD 21204
(410) 887-4360
Towson, MD 21204
(410) 887-4360
Gr: 9-12 | 52 students Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1010.
Maya Angelou Academy At New Beginnings Formerly Oak Hill
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
8400 River Rd
Laurel, MD 20724
(202) 299-3227
Laurel, MD 20724
(202) 299-3227
Gr: 7-12 | 36 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Rank: #1111.
Green Valley At Edgar Allan Poe
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2001 Shadyside Ave
Suitland, MD 20746
(301) 817-3100
Suitland, MD 20746
(301) 817-3100
Gr: 7-10 | 49 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Flexible Student Support
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
45 Kate Wagner Road
Westminster, MD 21157
(410) 751-3691
Westminster, MD 21157
(410) 751-3691
Gr: 9-12 | 35 students Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Homewood School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
10914 Clarksville Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-7081
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-7081
Gr: 6-12 | 131 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
F. B. Gwynn Educational Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5998 Radio Station Rd
La Plata, MD 20646
(301) 934-3884
La Plata, MD 20646
(301) 934-3884
Gr: PK | 4 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Home Assignments-secondary
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
105 W. Chesapeake Avenue
Towson, MD 21204
(443) 809-7515
Towson, MD 21204
(443) 809-7515
Gr: 7-12 | 43 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1616.
Center For Educational Opportunity
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
253 Paradise Rd
Aberdeen, MD 21001
(410) 273-5594
Aberdeen, MD 21001
(410) 273-5594
Gr: 6-12 | 87 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1717.
Aacps Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
241 Peninsula Farm Road
Arnold, MD 21012
(410) 544-1082
Arnold, MD 21012
(410) 544-1082
Gr: 3-12 | 427 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1818.
Anne Arundel Evening High School
Alternative School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
60 Robinson Road
Severna Park, MD 21146
(410) 544-0182
Severna Park, MD 21146
(410) 544-0182
Gr: 9-12 | 303 students Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Crossroads Middle School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
45 Kate Wagner Road
Westminster, MD 21157
(410) 751-3691
Westminster, MD 21157
(410) 751-3691
Gr: 6-8 | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Heather Ridge
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1445 Taney Ave
Frederick, MD 21702
(240) 236-8000
Frederick, MD 21702
(240) 236-8000
Gr: 6-12 | 57 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #2121.
Croom High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
9400 Surratts Rd
Cheltenham, MD 20623
(301) 372-8846
Cheltenham, MD 20623
(301) 372-8846
Gr: 11-12 | 39 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1
Rank: #2222.
Alternative Programs
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 11-19% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
14501 Avery Road
Rockville, MD 20853
(240) 740-5000
Rockville, MD 20853
(240) 740-5000
Gr: 6-12
Rank: #23 - 2523. - 25.
Achievement Academy At Harbor City High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2201 Pinewood Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21214
(410) 396-6241
Baltimore, MD 21214
(410) 396-6241
Gr: 9-12 | 202 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #23 - 2523. - 25.
Excel Academy At Francis M. Wood High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1001 W Saratoga Street
Baltimore, MD 21223
(410) 396-1290
Baltimore, MD 21223
(410) 396-1290
Gr: 9-12 | 284 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #23 - 2523. - 25.
Mary Moss At Adams Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
245 Clay Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 222-1639
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 222-1639
Gr: 6-9 | 42 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Rosedale Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
7090 Golden Ring Road Suite 10
Rosedale, MD 21237
(443) 809-0133
Rosedale, MD 21237
(443) 809-0133
Gr: 9-12 | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #26 - 2726. - 27.
Tall Oaks High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2112 Church Rd
Bowie, MD 20721
(301) 390-0230
Bowie, MD 20721
(301) 390-0230
Gr: 11-12 | 68 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Crossroads Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
11640 Crossroads Circle
Middle River, MD 21220
(443) 809-2275
Middle River, MD 21220
(443) 809-2275
Gr: 7-8 | 21 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Meadowood Education Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1849 Gywnn Oak Ave
Gwynn Oak, MD 21207
(443) 809-6888
Gwynn Oak, MD 21207
(443) 809-6888
Gr: 6-8 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: n/an/a
Annapolis Road Academy
Alternative School
2112 Church Rd
Bowie, MD 20721
(301) 209-3580
Bowie, MD 20721
(301) 209-3580
Gr: 9-10 | 77 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1
Rank: n/an/a
Applications And Research Laboratory
Alternative School
10920 Clarksville Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-6698
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-6698
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Calvert County Alternative School
Alternative School
330 Dorsey Road
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
(443) 550-7164
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
(443) 550-7164
Gr: 10 | 2 students Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: n/an/a
Central Edlp At Loch Raven High School
Alternative School
105 W Chesapeake Ave
Towson, MD 21204
(443) 809-2270
Towson, MD 21204
(443) 809-2270
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Eager Street Academy
Alternative School
926 Greenmount Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 234-1815
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 234-1815
Gr: 7-12 | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: n/an/a
Evening High School
Alternative School
40 W. Oak Ridge Drive
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(301) 766-8460
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(301) 766-8460
Gr: 9-12
Show 9 more Alternative public schools in Maryland (out of 44 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked alternative public schools in Maryland?
The top ranked alternative public schools in Maryland include Post Secondary Program, Frederick County Virtual and Catonsville Center For Alternative Studies.
How many alternative public schools are located in Maryland?
44 alternative public schools are located in Maryland.
What is the racial composition of students in Maryland?
Maryland alternative public schools minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Maryland public schools average of 68% (majority Black).
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