Below Average
#1152 of 1,363 schools in MD
Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies
High School · Baltimore County Public Schools
901 S Rolling Rd, Baltimore, MD 21228
Enrollment
60
Student-Teacher
3.5:1
Score
4.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
60
Student-Teacher
3.5:1
Score
4.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Baltimore
#217 of 267
public schools
Maryland high schools
#152 of 226
In district
#133 of 169
Baltimore County Public Schools
School environment
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies
Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies is a high school in Baltimore, Maryland, catering to students in grades 9 through 12. With an enrollment of just 60 students and a student-teacher ratio of 3.5:1, the school offers personalized attention and support tailored to individual needs. The school's setting is in a large suburban area that provides a mix of residential neighborhoods and easy access to amenities.
Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies focuses on providing an alternative educational experience for students who may not thrive in traditional settings. While its MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 indicates room for academic growth, the school is dedicated to helping each student succeed through supportive teaching and individualized learning plans. The state ranking of #1265 out of 1364 schools suggests there are opportunities for improvement in test scores; however, the low proficiency rates in ELA (18%) and Math (25%) reflect areas where targeted support is needed.
Overall, Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies offers a nurturing environment in a bustling suburban area, ideal for students seeking an alternative high school experience.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 60 students, Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 3.5:1, Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
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Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies — Students at Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
71.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)
Based on 3 test records from MD state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.9/10.
How Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies Compares
See how Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 25% (2022) to 11.4% (2025).
Location
901 S Rolling Rd, Baltimore, MD 21228
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Western School of Technology (rated 6.4/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MOUNT DE SALES ACADEMY (rated 5.4/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Catonsville High (rated 5.2/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Baltimore, see our Baltimore schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Catonsville High Baltimore | 0.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Catonsville Elementary Catonsville | 1.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Arbutus Middle Baltimore | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Western School of Technology Baltimore | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| APPLE RIDGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Catonsville | 1.5 mi | — |
| ST MARK SCHOOL Catonsville | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Hillcrest Elementary Baltimore | 1.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Arbutus Elementary Baltimore | 1.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Maiden Choice School Baltimore | 1.7 mi | 4.7 |
| WATSON HALL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Baltimore | 2.1 mi | — |
| Relay Elementary Baltimore | 1.9 mi | 7.1 |
| MOUNT DE SALES ACADEMY Baltimore | 2.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Westowne Elementary Catonsville | 2.4 mi | 8.3 |
| North Bend Elementary/Middle Baltimore | 2.4 mi | 8.9 |
| EMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Baltimore | 2.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Elkridge Elementary Elkridge | 2.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Elkridge Landing Middle Elkridge | 2.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Johnnycake Elementary Baltimore | 2.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Halethorpe Elementary Halethorpe | 2.3 mi | 6.4 |
| THE LAMB OF GOD SCHOOL Halethorpe | 2.3 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 21228 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$107,714
Median Home Value
$389,200
Median Rent
$1,631/mo
Population
49,417
College Educated
49.8%
Homeownership
71.6%
Avg Commute
26.2 min
Poverty Rate
9%
Median Age
43.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies has a median household income of $107,714. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $389,200, with a median rent of $1,631/month. The local poverty rate of 9.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BCDC Educational Center Towson, MD | 4.8 |
| Heather Ridge Frederick, MD | 4.7 |
| Rosedale Center Baltimore, MD | 5.1 |
| Rock Terrace School Rockville, MD | 4.4 |
| Maya Angelou Academy at New Beginnings formerly Oak Hill Laurel, MD | 5.2 |
| Claremont School Baltimore, MD | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies
What grades does Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies serve?
Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies?
Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies has an enrollment of approximately 60 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies?
The student-teacher ratio at Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies is 3.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies rank in MD?
Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies is ranked #1152 out of 1,363 schools in MD.
What is Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies's MySchoolScout rating?
Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies has a composite rating of 4.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies has 25.0% math proficiency and 18.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies a charter school?
No, Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies a Title I school?
No, Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies?
71.7% of students at Catonsville Center for Alternative Studies qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (5,784/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Baltimore). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 60
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 3.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 71.7%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Baltimore County
- Phone
- (443) 809-0934
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Baltimore County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 110,275
- Schools in District
- 179
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,666
- District Rank
- #133 of 169
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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