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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Maryland Alternative Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 15 alternative public middle schools serving 948 students in Maryland.
The top-ranked alternative public middle schools in Maryland are Robert D. Stethem Educational Center, Bcdc Educational Center and Maya Angelou Academy At New Beginnings Formerly Oak Hill. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Maryland alternative public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 12% (versus the Maryland public middle school average of 19%), and reading proficiency score of 30% (versus the 42% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 70% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Maryland public middle school average of 72% (majority Black).

Best Alternative Public Middle Schools in Maryland (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Robert D. Stethem Educational Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
7775 Marshall Corner Rd
Pomfret, MD 20675
(301) 932-1003
Gr: 5-12
Rank: #22.
Bcdc Educational Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
105 W. Chesapeake Avenue
Towson, MD 21204
(410) 887-4360
Gr: 8-12 | 52 students Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #33.
Maya Angelou Academy At New Beginnings Formerly Oak Hill
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
8400 River Rd
Laurel, MD 20724
(202) 299-3227
Gr: 7-12 | 41 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Rank: #44.
Homewood School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
10914 Clarksville Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-7081
Gr: 6-12 | 109 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #55.
Center For Educational Opportunity
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
253 Paradise Rd
Aberdeen, MD 21001
(410) 273-5594
Gr: 6-12 | 122 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #66.
Aacps Virtual Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
241 Peninsula Farm Road
Arnold, MD 21012
(410) 544-1082
Gr: 3-12 | 384 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Crossroads Middle School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
45 Kate Wagner Road
Westminster, MD 21157
(410) 751-3691
Gr: 6-8 | 13 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Heather Ridge
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1445 Taney Ave
Frederick, MD 21702
(227) 203-3880
Gr: 6-12 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #99.
Phoenix Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
245 Clay Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 222-1650
Gr: 6-12 | 64 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #1010.
Alternative Programs
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 11-19% )
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
14501 Avery Road
Rockville, MD 20853
(240) 740-5000
Gr: 6-12
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Crossroads Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
11640 Crossroads Circle
Middle River, MD 21220
(443) 809-2275
Gr: 6-8 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Meadowood Education Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1849 Gywnn Oak Ave
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
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
Gr: 6-12 | 45 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
Howard B. Owens Science Center
Alternative School
9601 Greenbelt Rd
Lanham, MD 20706
(301) 918-8750
Gr: K-8

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked alternative public middle schools in Maryland?
The top-ranked alternative public middle schools in Maryland include Robert D. Stethem Educational Center, Bcdc Educational Center and Maya Angelou Academy At New Beginnings Formerly Oak Hill.
How many alternative public middle schools are located in Maryland?
15 alternative public middle schools are located in Maryland.
What is the racial composition of students in Maryland?
Maryland alternative public middle schools minority enrollment is 70% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Maryland public middle schools average of 72% (majority Black).

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