For the 2026 school year, there are 17 alternative public elementary schools serving 862 students in Maryland.
The top-ranked alternative public elementary schools in Maryland are Robert D. Stethem Educational Center, Pride School and Homewood School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Maryland alternative public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 12% (versus the Maryland public elementary school average of 26%), and reading proficiency score of 30% (versus the 44% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 67% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Maryland public elementary school average of 69% (majority Black).
Best Alternative Public Elementary Schools in Maryland (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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-5 | 6 students Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #33.
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 | 109 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #44.
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 | 122 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #55.
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 | 384 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
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 | 13 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Heather Ridge
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1445 Taney Ave
Frederick, MD 21702
(227) 203-3880
Frederick, MD 21702
(227) 203-3880
Gr: 6-12 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #88.
Phoenix Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
245 Clay Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 222-1650
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 222-1650
Gr: 6-12 | 64 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #99.
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: #10 - 1110. - 11.
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: 6-8 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
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 | 29 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
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: 6-12 | 7 students Minority enrollment: 72%
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: 6-12 | 45 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
Home Assignments-elementary
Alternative School
105 W. Chesapeake Avenue
Towson, MD 21204
(410) 887-3222
Towson, MD 21204
(410) 887-3222
Gr: PK-5 | 1 student
Rank: n/an/a
Howard B. Owens Science Center
Alternative School
9601 Greenbelt Rd
Lanham, MD 20706
(301) 918-8750
Lanham, MD 20706
(301) 918-8750
Gr: K-8
Rank: n/an/a
Judith P. Hoyer Early Childhood Center
Alternative School
1405 Glasgow Road
Cambridge, MD 21613
(410) 221-5268
Cambridge, MD 21613
(410) 221-5268
Gr: PK-5
Rank: n/an/a
William Schmidt Environmental Center
Alternative School
18501 Aquasco Rd
Brandywine, MD 20613
(301) 888-1185
Brandywine, MD 20613
(301) 888-1185
Gr: K-5
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked alternative public elementary schools in Maryland?
The top-ranked alternative public elementary schools in Maryland include Robert D. Stethem Educational Center, Pride School and Homewood School.
How many alternative public elementary schools are located in Maryland?
17 alternative public elementary schools are located in Maryland.
What is the racial composition of students in Maryland?
Maryland alternative public elementary schools minority enrollment is 67% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Maryland public elementary schools average of 69% (majority Black).
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