Alternatives to Public School for Neurodivergent Learners

Explore homeschooling, private school, micro-schools, and other alternatives to public school for neurodivergent learners in Maryland.

As a therapist working with neurodivergent children in Maryland, I’ve had many conversations with families whose children aren’t thriving in the public school system. While IEPs and 504 plans are designed to help students access the support they need, the reality is that these tools often fall short—especially as classroom sizes grow and funding for special education services shrinks.

For students with ADHD, Autism, or AuDHD, the classroom environment can be overwhelming. Compare my home state of New Hampshire with my current state of Maryland: New Hampshire classrooms are generally 15 students per class while in Maryland, we had elementary classrooms with 30 students… a number that is expected to rise this year.

Even with smaller class sizes, things like bright lights, loud noises, or lack of individual attention can make it hard to focus, stay regulated, or feel safe. As a result, many families find themselves looking for alternative education options.

Below, I’ve outlined some of the main alternatives to public school, as well as the pros, cons, and key things to consider.

Please make an appointment through the patient portal or call 443-300-6094 if you’re interested in pursuing therapy in Howard County, Maryland through Happy Honeysuckle Healing Center. If you have a psychiatric or medical emergency, please contact 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

This blog is for educational purposes only. This information is best case scenario, at least within the scope of my knowledge and experience at the time I write the post. Not only does everyone have different approaches to parenting and life- and my way may not be your cup of tea, but also- I am not perfect, nor do I want anyone to imagine that I am. Despite being a therapist and having a whole host of really cool techniques for all the mental health related things, I am constantly learning and trying to do better.

I’m hoping that this blog can help you. When we share what works for us, we can help others develop their own toolkit for improving their mental health. As an affiliate with Amazon and other affiliate networks, I may earn from qualifying purchases made with product links on this site. If you’re a current client of this practice, you have access to therapist-created resources free of charge.

Why Look for Alternatives?

Even when schools are supportive and genuinely want to follow a child’s IEP, they are often limited by large student-to-teacher ratios and lack of staffing. Educational advocates can be helpful, but hiring one can be expensive. And in some districts, services are stretched so thin that kids simply don’t get what they need—even when everyone is doing their best.

Let’s consider the math: If a public school has 15 students in the class and 11% of the population has ADHD, we’d expect 1.65 students per classroom with ADHD. A teacher is responsible for following those 1.65 students’ IEPs, as well as teaching for the neurotypical student. This is in a magical world where the only IEP students are the ones with ADHD. Increasing the classroom size to 25 means that 2.75 students will need individualized attention. A classroom of 30? 3.3 students. 40? 4.4 students.

As you can guess, increasing the classroom size results in additional work for the teacher… and what I can only guess is an impossible task. I doubt many people would like to manage 30+ other adults for a day of instruction, never mind 30+ 1st graders.

Parents often feel stuck between two difficult options: stay in a system that isn’t working, or try to find an alternative they can afford.

⚠️ A Note About IEPs and 504s Outside Public School

If you leave the public school system, you generally lose access to IEP and 504 accommodations—unless your child attends a private school that participates in a voucher program or receives services through a public-private partnership. Some states and counties offer this (often through specialized placements), but Howard County, Maryland does not currently offer this kind of program.

That means most alternative schooling options are 100% parent-funded, and unfortunately, many private schools charge upwards of $30,000 per year. Some also have strict behavioral requirements and may not accept neurodivergent students who have higher support needs.

✏️ Alternative #1: Homeschooling

Homeschooling gives families the most flexibility to tailor learning to their child’s unique needs. In Maryland, homeschool programs are entirely parent-funded, and you can choose to:

Teach entirely at home using your own curriculum
Supplement with online learning platforms (homeschool websites)
Join in-person programs, including:
- Co-ops (parent-led and more affordable)
- Drop-off programs (often more expensive but provide a classroom-like experience for part of the week)

These programs can offer everything from core subjects to enrichment classes like art, gym, or science labs.

💡 Tip: Programs that allow you to leave (drop-off) typically cost more. Co-ops where parents stay onsite or help lead classes tend to be more budget-friendly.

The bulk of homeschooling must be done by the parents, however, and you’ll be required to present a portfolio twice per school year to show what your student has accomplished during homeschooling.

🏫 Alternative #2: Private School

Private schools come in two main types:

Secular private schools (non-religious)
Religious-affiliated schools (e.g., Catholic, Christian, Jewish)

In general, religious private schools may be more affordable because they operate under different state regulations, which can reduce their operating costs. However, pricing and support for neurodivergent students vary widely.

Some religious schools are very inclusive and supportive, while others may not have the resources or training to accommodate more complex needs. Likewise, secular schools can range from small progressive schools to elite institutions with limited flexibility.

I’m currently planning to tour several private schools in the area to better understand what’s available for neurodivergent learners. I’ll be sharing my observations here on the blog—not as recommendations, but to help families get a better sense of what each school offers and whether it might be worth a tour.

🏫 Alternative #3: Nonpublic Special Education Facilities

These are specialized schools designed specifically for students with significant support needs. They often have lower student-to-staff ratios and provide therapeutic, behavioral, and academic services in one setting. However, placement in a nonpublic facility must be approved by your child’s IEP team as a change in placement. This typically occurs when the public school cannot meet the child’s needs even with all available accommodations and supports.

These placements are still publicly funded but only accessible through the IEP process—not by parent request alone.

That said, a few of our local options may accept students privately while the parents use an educational advocate to fight for the school change.

🏫 Alternative #4: Charter Schools

Charter schools are independently run public schools that often offer more flexibility in curriculum and teaching style. In some counties, they can be a great option for neurodivergent learners looking for smaller environments or alternative learning models.

However, Howard County has not approved any charter schools, so this option is not currently available locally. Carroll County recently approved its first charter school, so availability may increase in the future depending on your location. Frederick County has a few options, but they often have waiting lists.

🧮 Alternative #5: Hybrid Homeschooling

Hybrid homeschooling blends the flexibility of homeschool with structured classroom learning. In this model, students spend part of the day or week learning at home and the other part in a traditional classroom or microschool setting.

While this can be an ideal setup for many neurodivergent learners, Maryland’s public school systems currently do not offer hybrid homeschooling. Some private microschools and learning pods may offer a similar setup, but they are often privately funded and not regulated by the state.

🏠 Alternative #6: Home and Hospital Instruction (HHP)

This is a public school service available for students who cannot attend school due to physical or mental health reasons. Students receive instruction at home, in a hospital, or another location as determined by the school district.

Home and Hospital Instruction is generally short-term and must be supported by documentation from a medical or mental health provider. It’s a helpful option during periods of acute illness, mental health crises, or medical recovery.

🧲 Alternative #7: Magnet Schools

Magnet schools are public schools with specialized programs that focus on specific areas such as STEM, the arts, or advanced academics. Admission is often competitive and may involve applications, testing, or lotteries. While not designed specifically for neurodivergent students, some magnet programs may offer smaller class sizes, unique learning models, or subject-specific engagement that better suits a student’s strengths or special interests.

It’s important to research each program carefully—not all magnet schools are equipped to support IEPs or diverse learning needs. That said, for students who thrive in a focused academic setting, this can be a helpful alternative.

There are no magnet schools in Howard County currently.

🏫 Alternative #8: Microschooling

Microschools are small, often mixed-age learning environments—think of them as a modern take on the one-room schoolhouse. These can be run out of homes, community centers, or small campuses and may follow a specific educational philosophy (like Montessori or project-based learning).

Some microschools are parent-led co-ops, while others are operated by private organizations. They often offer high flexibility, customized learning, and small group instruction, which can be ideal for neurodivergent learners. However, they are usually privately funded and not regulated in the same way as traditional schools.

In Maryland, these fall under the category of homeschooling, and per COMAR regulations, the parent must provide the bulk of a child’s homeschool education. This means that attending a microschool 5x a week is not a viable alternative so parents don’t need to homeschool themselves.

🔍 What’s Next on the Blog

Reviews and impressions of local private schools (from a therapist’s perspective)
Guides to homeschooling options for neurodivergent kids
Breakdowns of software and learning platforms that support executive functioning

Final Thoughts

If you’re exploring alternative education options for your child with ADHD, autism, or other neurodivergent needs, know that you’re not alone—and you’re not failing for asking, “Is there something better?”

My goal is to help you understand your choices, save you time, and give you tools to advocate for the kind of learning environment where your child can thrive. Each child is an individual and at any point in time, may be better in one environment vs. another.

I don’t want my post to be misunderstood- I love public school teachers and the staff who support them. I think public school is an excellent option for many students. However, I believe that politics, funding, and public school policies impact neurodivergent students and prevent them from achieving to their full potential. My hope is that someday the public school system will effectively meet the needs of all students, but I don’t think it’s fair to ask neurodivergent students to fail while we wait for change.

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