For the 2026 school year, there are 30 alternative public schools serving 2,800 students in New York.
The top-ranked alternative public schools in New York are Orchard View Alternative High School, Urban Dove Team Charter School Iii and Urban Dove Team Charter School Iv. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
New York alternative public schools have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the New York public school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 86% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the New York public school average of 61% (majority Hispanic).
Best Alternative Public Schools in New York (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Orchard View Alternative High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
25 Corporate Dr
Hopewell Junction, NY 12533
(845) 298-5005
Hopewell Junction, NY 12533
(845) 298-5005
Gr: 9-12 | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Urban Dove Team Charter School Iii
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
31-20 37th St
Astoria, NY 11103
(347) 588-5159
Astoria, NY 11103
(347) 588-5159
Gr: 10-12 | 55 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Urban Dove Team Charter School Iv
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
240 East 123rd St
New York, NY 10035
(347) 562-9832
New York, NY 10035
(347) 562-9832
Gr: 10-12 | 182 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #44.
New Dawn Charter High School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
242 Hoyt St
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(347) 505-9101
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(347) 505-9101
Gr: 9-12 | 223 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #55.
Village School
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
614 Middle Neck Rd
Great Neck, NY 11023
(516) 441-4900
Great Neck, NY 11023
(516) 441-4900
Gr: 9-12 | 48 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #66.
Academy School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
756 St Lawrence Ave
Buffalo, NY 14216
(716) 816-3270
Buffalo, NY 14216
(716) 816-3270
Gr: 9-12 | 70 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #77.
Corning Painted Post High School Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
Corning Cc-1 Academic Dr
Corning, NY 14830
(607) 962-9283
Corning, NY 14830
(607) 962-9283
Gr: 9-12 | 24 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #88.
John V Lindsay Wildcat Academy Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
17 Battery Pl
New York, NY 10004
(646) 993-1833
New York, NY 10004
(646) 993-1833
Gr: 9-12 | 373 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #99.
Urban Dove Team Charter School Ii
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
671 Prospect Ave
Bronx, NY 10456
(718) 682-3975
Bronx, NY 10456
(718) 682-3975
Gr: 10-12 | 285 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1010.
Pathways Academy
Alternative School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-59% )
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
820 Northampton St
Buffalo, NY 14211
(716) 816-4526
Buffalo, NY 14211
(716) 816-4526
Gr: 9-12 | 110 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1111.
Urban Dove Team Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 30-39% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1256 E 21st St
Brooklyn, NY 11210
(718) 783-8232
Brooklyn, NY 11210
(718) 783-8232
Gr: 10-12 | 289 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: n/an/a
Brentwood Residential Center
Alternative School
1230 Commack Rd
Huntington Station, NY 11746
(631) 667-1210
Huntington Station, NY 11746
(631) 667-1210
Gr: 7-11 | 20 students Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: n/an/a
Brookwood Secure Center For Youth
Alternative School
419 Spook Rock Rd
Claverack, NY 12513
(518) 851-3623
Claverack, NY 12513
(518) 851-3623
Gr: 9-12 | 61 students Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: n/an/a
Erie County Detention Facility
Alternative School
810 East Ferry St
Buffalo, NY 14222
(315) 765-2242
Buffalo, NY 14222
(315) 765-2242
Gr: 9-12 | 13 students
Rank: n/an/a
Finger Lakes Residential Center
Alternative School
250 Auburn Rd
Lansing, NY 14882
(607) 533-5066
Lansing, NY 14882
(607) 533-5066
Gr: 8-12 | 67 students Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: n/an/a
Goshen Secure Center
Alternative School
97 Cross Rd
Goshen, NY 10924
(845) 615-3052
Goshen, NY 10924
(845) 615-3052
Gr: 9-12 | 51 students Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: n/an/a
Harriet Tubman Residential Center
Alternative School
6706 Pine Ridge Rd
Auburn, NY 13021
(315) 704-6272
Auburn, NY 13021
(315) 704-6272
Gr: 8-12 | 20 students Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: n/an/a
Highland Residential Center
Alternative School
629 N Chodikee Lake Rd
Highland, NY 12528
(845) 691-6006
Highland, NY 12528
(845) 691-6006
Gr: 6-12 | 84 students Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: n/an/a
Industry Limited Secure School
Alternative School
375 Rush Scotsville Rd
Rush, NY 14543
(585) 533-2887
Rush, NY 14543
(585) 533-2887
Gr: 8-12 | 59 students Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: n/an/a
Kenmore Junior-senior High School
Alternative School
155 Delaware Rd
Buffalo, NY 14217
(716) 874-8403
Buffalo, NY 14217
(716) 874-8403
Gr: 7-12 | 180 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: n/an/a
Maccormick Secure Center
Alternative School
300 South Rd
Brooktondale, NY 14817
(607) 539-7121
Brooktondale, NY 14817
(607) 539-7121
Gr: 9-12 | 22 students Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: n/an/a
Monroe Correctional Facility
Alternative School
107 N Clinton Ave
Rochester, NY 14623
(585) 753-3065
Rochester, NY 14623
(585) 753-3065
Gr: 8-12 | 35 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: n/an/a
New York City Children's Center
Alternative School
74-03 Commonwealth Blvd
Bellerose, NY 11426
(718) 264-4500
Bellerose, NY 11426
(718) 264-4500
Gr: 2-12 | 40 students Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: n/an/a
Nys Dept Of Corrections Placement
Alternative School
State Campus Bldg 2
Albany, NY 12226
(518) 457-8126
Albany, NY 12226
(518) 457-8126
Gr: Inquire with school | 374 students Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: n/an/a
Onondaga Cnty Sheriff's Dept
Alternative School
555 So State St
Albany, NY 12211
(315) 435-3044
Albany, NY 12211
(315) 435-3044
Gr: 9-12 | 19 students Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: n/an/a
Rockland County Sheriffs Department
Alternative School
53 New Hempstead Road
New City, NY 10956
(845) 638-5466
New City, NY 10956
(845) 638-5466
Gr: 9-12 | 7 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: n/an/a
Rose M Singer Center
Alternative School
19-19 Hazen St
East Elmhurst, NY 11370
(718) 546-7450
East Elmhurst, NY 11370
(718) 546-7450
Gr: 12 | 4 students
Rank: n/an/a
Suffolk County Sheriffs Office
Alternative School
1 Center Dr
Riverhead, NY 11901
(631) 852-2200
Riverhead, NY 11901
(631) 852-2200
Gr: 11 | 1 student
Rank: n/an/a
Taberg Residential Center
Alternative School
10011 Florence-taberg Rd
Taberg, NY 13471
(315) 245-5880
Taberg, NY 13471
(315) 245-5880
Gr: 8-12 | 25 students Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: n/an/a
Tioga County Jail
Alternative School
103 Corporate Dr
Owego, NY 13827
(607) 687-1010
Owego, NY 13827
(607) 687-1010
Gr: 10 | 1 student
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked alternative public schools in New York?
The top-ranked alternative public schools in New York include Orchard View Alternative High School, Urban Dove Team Charter School Iii and Urban Dove Team Charter School Iv.
How many alternative public schools are located in New York?
30 alternative public schools are located in New York.
What is the racial composition of students in New York?
New York alternative public schools minority enrollment is 86% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the New York public schools average of 61% (majority Hispanic).
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