For the 2026 school year, there are 29 alternative public schools serving 5,625 students in Massachusetts.
The top-ranked alternative public schools in Massachusetts are Graham And Parks, Phoenix Academy Charter Public High School Chelsea and Gardner Academy For Learning And Technology. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Massachusetts alternative public schools have an average math proficiency score of 30% (versus the Massachusetts public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 81% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Massachusetts public school average of 49% (majority Hispanic).
Best Alternative Public Schools in Massachusetts (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Graham And Parks
Alternative School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
44 Linnaean Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 349-6577
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 349-6577
Gr: PK-5 | 367 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #22.
Phoenix Academy Charter Public High School Chelsea
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
175 Hawthorne Street
Chelsea, MA 02150
(617) 889-3100
Chelsea, MA 02150
(617) 889-3100
Gr: 9-12 | 198 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #3 - 63. - 6.
Gardner Academy For Learning And Technology
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
160 Elm Street
Gardner, MA 01440
(978) 632-1673
Gardner, MA 01440
(978) 632-1673
Gr: 9-12 | 123 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #3 - 63. - 6.
Keough Memorial Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
60 Harpin Street
Bellingham, MA 02019
(508) 883-5403
Bellingham, MA 02019
(508) 883-5403
Gr: 7-12 | 29 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #3 - 63. - 6.
Next Wave Junior High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
81 Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 629-5640
Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 629-5640
Gr: 7-8 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #3 - 63. - 6.
Phoenix Academy Public Charter High School Springfield
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
65 Lincoln Street
Springfield, MA 01105
(413) 273-1236
Springfield, MA 01105
(413) 273-1236
Gr: 9-12 | 158 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #77.
Phoenix Academy Public Charter High School Lawrence
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
15 Union Street
Lawrence, MA 01840
(978) 722-8410
Lawrence, MA 01840
(978) 722-8410
Gr: 9-12 | 140 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #88.
Boston Arts Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
174 Ipswich Street
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 635-6470
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 635-6470
Gr: 9-12 | 500 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #99.
New Mission High School
Alternative School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
655 Metropolitan Ave
Hyde Park, MA 02136
(617) 635-6437
Hyde Park, MA 02136
(617) 635-6437
Gr: 7-12 | 715 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #1010.
Fenway High School
Alternative School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
67 Alleghany St
Roxbury Crossing, MA 02120
(617) 635-9911
Roxbury Crossing, MA 02120
(617) 635-9911
Gr: 9-12 | 362 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1111.
King Open
Alternative School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
850 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 349-6540
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 349-6540
Gr: PK-5 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #12 - 1412. - 14.
Attleboro Community Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1 Blue Pride Way
Attleboro, MA 02703
(508) 222-5150
Attleboro, MA 02703
(508) 222-5150
Gr: 7-12 | 64 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #12 - 1412. - 14.
Chelsea Opportunity Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
299 Everett Avenue
Chelsea, MA 02150
(617) 466-5000
Chelsea, MA 02150
(617) 466-5000
Gr: 9-12 | 132 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #12 - 1412. - 14.
Taunton Alternative High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
120 Cohannet Street
Taunton, MA 02780
(508) 844-5822
Taunton, MA 02780
(508) 844-5822
Gr: 11-12 | 74 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Gateway To College At Springfield Technical Community Colleg
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1 Armory Square Bldg. 19 Room
Springfield, MA 01102
(413) 755-4480
Springfield, MA 01102
(413) 755-4480
Gr: 9-12 | 25 students
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Murdock Academy For Success
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
175 Grove St
Winchendon, MA 01475
(978) 297-1256
Winchendon, MA 01475
(978) 297-1256
Gr: 10 | 1 student
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Boston Day And Evening Academy Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
20 Kearsarge Ave
Roxbury, MA 02119
(617) 635-6789
Roxbury, MA 02119
(617) 635-6789
Gr: 9-12 | 323 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Full Circle High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
81 Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 629-5640
Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 629-5640
Gr: 9-12 | 67 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1919.
Brockton Therapeutic Day School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
596 Summer St
Brockton, MA 02302
(508) 562-6224
Brockton, MA 02302
(508) 562-6224
Gr: 5-12 | 30 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #2020.
Boston Collaborative High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
215 Dorchester St
South Boston, MA 02127
(617) 635-8035
South Boston, MA 02127
(617) 635-8035
Gr: 9-12 | 210 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2121.
Chicopee Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
12 Dare Way
Chicopee, MA 01020
(413) 594-3449
Chicopee, MA 01020
(413) 594-3449
Gr: 7-12 | 92 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #2222.
Another Course To College
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
612 Metropolitan Av
Hyde Park, MA 02136
(617) 635-8865
Hyde Park, MA 02136
(617) 635-8865
Gr: 9-12 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Map Academy Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
11 Resnik Road
Plymouth, MA 02360
(508) 830-9500
Plymouth, MA 02360
(508) 830-9500
Gr: 9-12 | 301 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Resiliency Preparatory Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
290 Rock Street
Fall River, MA 02720
(508) 675-8230
Fall River, MA 02720
(508) 675-8230
Gr: 7-12 | 171 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #2525.
Young Achievers K-8 School
Alternative School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 8%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
20 Outlook Road
Mattapan, MA 02126
(617) 635-6804
Mattapan, MA 02126
(617) 635-6804
Gr: PK-8 | 489 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: n/an/a
Boston Adult Tech Academy
Alternative School
20 Church St
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 635-1542
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 635-1542
Gr: 11-12 | 227 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: n/an/a
Gateway To College
Alternative School
300 Quaker Highway
Uxbridge, MA 01569
(508) 278-8633
Uxbridge, MA 01569
(508) 278-8633
Gr: 9-12 | 44 students Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: n/an/a
Rise Academy
Alternative School
530 Broadway Street
Lawrence, MA 01841
(978) 975-5905
Lawrence, MA 01841
(978) 975-5905
Gr: 8-12 | 74 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: n/an/a
Waltham Valor High School
Alternative School
617 Lexington Street
Waltham, MA 02452
(781) 314-5402
Waltham, MA 02452
(781) 314-5402
Gr: 9-12 | 49 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked alternative public schools in Massachusetts?
The top-ranked alternative public schools in Massachusetts include Graham And Parks, Phoenix Academy Charter Public High School Chelsea and Gardner Academy For Learning And Technology.
How many alternative public schools are located in Massachusetts?
29 alternative public schools are located in Massachusetts.
What is the racial composition of students in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts alternative public schools minority enrollment is 81% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Massachusetts public schools average of 49% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.