For the 2024-25 school year, there are 40 alternative public schools serving 1,988 students in Maryland.
The top ranked alternative public schools in Maryland are Post Secondary Program, Frederick County Virtual and Gateway School. 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 25%), and reading proficiency score of 31% (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 67% (majority Black).
Best Alternative Public Schools in Maryland (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Post Secondary Program
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
Grades: 12
| 42 students
Rank: #22.
Frederick County Virtual
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
Rank: #33.
Gateway School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
Grades: 9-12
| 75 students
Rank: #4 - 84. - 8.
Catonsville Center For Alternative Studies
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
Grades: 9-12
| 60 students
Rank: #4 - 84. - 8.
Center For Educational Opportunity
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
253 Paradise Rd
Aberdeen, MD 21001
(410) 273-5594
Aberdeen, MD 21001
(410) 273-5594
Grades: 7-12
| 39 students
Rank: #4 - 84. - 8.
Flexible Student Support
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
Grades: 9-12
| 32 students
Rank: #4 - 84. - 8.
Homewood School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
10914 Clarksville Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-7081
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-7081
Grades: 7-12
| 88 students
Rank: #4 - 84. - 8.
Robert D. Stethem Educational Center
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
Rank: #99.
Maya Angelou Academy At New Beginnings Formerly Oak Hill
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
8400 River Rd
Laurel, MD 20724
(202) 299-3227
Laurel, MD 20724
(202) 299-3227
Grades: 7-12
| 35 students
Rank: #1010.
Wicomico County Evening High School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
Grades: 9-12
| 26 students
Rank: #1111.
Pride School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
Grades: K-5
| 8 students
Rank: #1212.
Bcdc Educational Center
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
Grades: 9-12
| 45 students
Rank: #1313.
Home Assignments-secondary
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
Grades: 7-12
| 11 students
Rank: #1414.
Anne Arundel Evening High School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
60 Robinson Road
Severna Park, MD 21146
(410) 544-0182
Severna Park, MD 21146
(410) 544-0182
Grades: 9-12
| 242 students
Rank: #1515.
Aacps Virtual Academy
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
241 Peninsula Farm Road
Arnold, MD 21012
(410) 544-1082
Arnold, MD 21012
(410) 544-1082
Grades: 3-12
| 478 students
Rank: #16 - 1916. - 19.
Crossroads Middle School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
Grades: 6-8
| 10 students
Rank: #16 - 1916. - 19.
F. B. Gwynn Educational Center
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
5998 Radio Station Rd
La Plata, MD 20646
(301) 934-3884
La Plata, MD 20646
(301) 934-3884
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
Rank: #16 - 1916. - 19.
Heather Ridge
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
Grades: 7-12
| 45 students
Rank: #16 - 1916. - 19.
Mary Moss At Adams Academy
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
245 Clay Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 222-1639
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 222-1639
Grades: 6-9
| 35 students
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Achievement Academy At Harbor City High School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
Grades: 9-12
| 228 students
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Excel Academy At Francis M. Wood High School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
Grades: 9-12
| 307 students
Rank: #2222.
Alternative Programs
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
Grades: 10
| 1 students
Rank: #23 - 2523. - 25.
Crossroads Center
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
11640 Crossroads Circle
Middle River, MD 21220
(443) 809-2275
Middle River, MD 21220
(443) 809-2275
Grades: 6-8
| 30 students
Rank: #23 - 2523. - 25.
Meadowood Education Center
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1849 Gywnn Oak Ave
Gwynn Oak, MD 21207
(443) 809-6888
Gwynn Oak, MD 21207
(443) 809-6888
Grades: 7-8
| 19 students
Rank: #23 - 2523. - 25.
Rosedale Center
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
Grades: 9-12
| 52 students
Rank: n/an/a
Applications And Research Laboratory
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
10920 Clarksville Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-6698
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-6698
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Calvert County Alternative School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
330 Dorsey Road
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
(443) 550-7164
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
(443) 550-7164
Grades: 9-11
| 3 students
Rank: n/an/a
Central Edlp At Loch Raven High School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
105 W Chesapeake Ave
Towson, MD 21204
(443) 809-2270
Towson, MD 21204
(443) 809-2270
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Eager Street Academy
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
926 Greenmount Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 234-1815
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 234-1815
Grades: 9-12
| 51 students
Rank: n/an/a
Evening High School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
40 W. Oak Ridge Drive
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(301) 766-8460
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(301) 766-8460
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Home Assignments-elementary
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
105 W. Chesapeake Avenue
Towson, MD 21204
(410) 887-3222
Towson, MD 21204
(410) 887-3222
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Howard B. Owens Science Center
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
9601 Greenbelt Rd
Lanham, MD 20706
(301) 918-8750
Lanham, MD 20706
(301) 918-8750
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Judith P. Hoyer Early Childhood Center
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
1405 Glasgow Road
Cambridge, MD 21613
(410) 221-5268
Cambridge, MD 21613
(410) 221-5268
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Northeast Edlp At Parkville High School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
105 W Chesapeake Ave
Towson, MD 21204
(443) 809-2270
Towson, MD 21204
(443) 809-2270
Grades: 12
| 12 students
Rank: n/an/a
Northwest Edlp At Milford Mill Academy
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
105 W Chesapeake Ave
Towson, MD 21204
(443) 809-2270
Towson, MD 21204
(443) 809-2270
Grades: 12
| 1 students
Show 5 more Alternative public schools in Maryland (out of 40 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 Gateway School.
How many alternative public schools are located in Maryland?
40 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 67% (majority Black).
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