Best Georgia Alternative Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 27 alternative public schools serving 2,137 students in Georgia.
The top-ranked alternative public schools in Georgia are Augusta Youth Development Campus, Macon Youth Development Campus and Telfair Alternative Preparation School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Georgia alternative public schools have an average math proficiency score of 14% (versus the Georgia public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 19% (versus the 40% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 86% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Georgia public school average of 66% (majority Black).

Best Alternative Public Schools in Georgia (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Augusta Youth Development Campus
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3481 Mike Padgett Hwy
Augusta, GA 30906
(706) 792-7521
Gr: 5-12 | 28 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Macon Youth Development Campus
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4160 Riggins Mill Rd
Macon, GA 31217
(478) 751-3432
Gr: 5-12 | 36 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Telfair Alternative Preparation School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
212 Huckabee St
Mc Rae Helena, GA 31055
(229) 868-5661
Gr: 6-12 | 18 students Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Eastman Youth Development Campus
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
176 Freaman Graham Blvd
Eastman, GA 31023
(478) 374-6910
Gr: 5-12 | 34 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Independence High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
791 Mimosa Blvd
Roswell, GA 30075
(470) 254-6339
Gr: 9-12 | 129 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #66.
Bishop Hall
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
220 N Pinetree Blvd
Thomasville, GA 31792
(229) 227-1397
Gr: 8-12 | 143 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #77.
Phoenix High School
Alternative School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
501 W Pike St
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
(770) 513-6862
Gr: 9-12 | 921 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #88.
Muscogee Youth Development Campus
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
7700 Chattsworth Rd
Midland, GA 31820
(706) 569-2863
Gr: 5-12
Rank: #99.
Gwinnett Intervention Education (Give) Center East
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
723 Hi Hope Rd
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
(770) 338-4855
Gr: 6-12 | 334 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1010.
Hank Aaron New Beginnings Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2930 Forrest Hills Dr Sw
Atlanta, GA 30315
(404) 802-6950
Gr: 6-12 | 147 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: n/an/a
Aaron Cohn Regional Youth Detention Center
Alternative School
7700-b Chattsworth Rd
Midland, GA 31820
(706) 568-2498
Gr: 5-12 | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: n/an/a
Augusta Regional Youth Detention Center
Alternative School
3485 Mike Padgett Hwy
Augusta, GA 30906
(706) 771-7854
Gr: 5-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: n/an/a
Bob Richards Regional Youth Detention Center
Alternative School
200 Marable Way Nw
Rome, GA 30165
(706) 295-6035
Gr: 5-12 | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: n/an/a
Claxton Regional Youth Detention Center
Alternative School
3609 Bill Hodges Rd
Claxton, GA 30417
(912) 739-4807
Gr: 5-12 | 10 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: n/an/a
Crisp Rydc
Alternative School
130 Haralson Rd
Cordele, GA 31015
(222) 271-4900
Gr: 5-12 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: n/an/a
Dekalb Regional Youth Detention Center
Alternative School
2946 Clifton Springs Rd
Decatur, GA 30034
(404) 244-2183
Gr: 5-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1
Rank: n/an/a
Department Of Corrections
Alternative School
300 Patrol Rd
Forsyth, GA 31029
(478) 992-5916
Gr: PK-12 | 121 students Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: n/an/a
Department Of Human Resources
Alternative School
2 Peachtree Street Nw, 11 Th F
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 657-0435
Gr: PK-12
Rank: n/an/a
Elbert Shaw Regional Youth Detention Center
Alternative School
2735 Underwood Rd Ne
Dalton, GA 30721
(706) 272-2309
Gr: 5-12 | 9 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: n/an/a
Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center
Alternative School
450 Crescent Dr
Gainesville, GA 30501
(770) 535-5457
Gr: 5-12 | 17 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: n/an/a
Macon Regional Youth Detention Center
Alternative School
4164 Riggins Mill Rd
Macon, GA 31217
(912) 751-3400
Gr: 5-12 | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: n/an/a
Marietta Regional Youth Detention Center
Alternative School
1575 County Services Pkwy Sw
Marietta, GA 30008
(770) 528-4247
Gr: 5-12 | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: n/an/a
Martha K. Glaze Regional Youth Detention Center
Alternative School
11850 Hastings Bridge Rd
Hampton, GA 30228
(770) 603-4664
Gr: 5-12 | 21 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: n/an/a
Metro Regional Youth Detention Center
Alternative School
1300 Constitution Rd Se
Atlanta, GA 30316
(404) 635-4415
Gr: 5-12 | 19 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: n/an/a
Savannah Regional Youth Detention Center
Alternative School
191 Carl Griffin Dr
Savannah, GA 31405
(912) 652-3879
Gr: 5-12 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: n/an/a
T J Loftiss Ii Regional Youth Detention Center
Alternative School
400 S Pinetree Blvd
Thomasville, GA 31792
(912) 227-2764
Gr: 5-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
Rank: n/an/a
Waycross Regional Youth Detention Center
Alternative School
3275 Harris Rd
Waycross, GA 31503
(912) 287-6680
Gr: 5-12 | 7 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 57%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked alternative public schools in Georgia?
The top-ranked alternative public schools in Georgia include Augusta Youth Development Campus, Macon Youth Development Campus and Telfair Alternative Preparation School.
How many alternative public schools are located in Georgia?
27 alternative public schools are located in Georgia.
What is the racial composition of students in Georgia?
Georgia alternative public schools minority enrollment is 86% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Georgia public schools average of 66% (majority Black).

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
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
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
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.