March can be the meanest of all months. Long, dark and dreary, it often inspires mischief.

At Broadneck Senior High School in Anne Arundel County, the mischief-making that usually peaks during March has been replaced with a kind of organized chaos known as March Madness. It's not a college basketball tournament, but a month's worth of contests, free ice cream, dances, spaghetti dinners and dress-up days designed to ward off the evils of cabin fever and spring fever that play havoc with school discipline about this time every year.

"This is all to keep them focused and involved," said Glenn Brainer, a business education teacher and a member of the School Improvement Team that plans the activities. "It provides some excitement in a boring month."

For high school seniors, March is a month of worry and doubt: Will I get into the college of my choice? What if all 10 colleges I applied to reject me? When will I find out? And, oh my God, who will be my prom date? What will I wear? And how can I work more to pay for the prom and still get my homework done? When will it all end?

"It's the third marking period and some students are in danger of failing," said Diane Finch, head of guidance counseling in Anne Arundel County. "Teachers are trying to cram a lot in."

In the face of all this pressure, students rebel. They talk, giggle, squabble and fuss. They stroll into classes late, or they don't show up. Teachers complain that they send more students to the principal's office in March than at any other time of the school year.

"There are absolutely no breaks in March," complained Broadneck senior Patrick Fleming "Barely even a snow delay. And there is so much in-school stress and out-of-school stress with jobs and then I'm trying to have a social life."

Broadneck is not the only high school where discipline and school attendance slip during March. In fact, teachers almost everywhere say they have trouble keeping their students focused as the vernal equinox approaches.

At Chesapeake High School in Essex, teachers schedule outdoor field trips, tree plantings, career week and registration for next year's classes to keep students interested.

One sure way to avoid winter doldrums is to schedule spring break early, in March instead of April. Baltimore and Howard counties have scheduled their breaks from March 29 to April 5.

"That really helps," said Linda Lieske, head of the guidance department at Chesapeake. When the break doesn't come until April, attendance decreases and arguments and bickering increase, she said.

"I tell them all they really need is a break from their friends."

While other students get the weeklong break, Anne Arundel's get a long weekend, April 1 through April 5.

Taming the restless teen-ager requires a little planning with a healthy dose of inspiration.

Six years ago, 208 Broadneck students were sent to Principal Sharon Blackman's office for various misdeeds in March. That number dropped to 98 after the first March Madness campaign and has remained low ever since.

"It has really worked for us," she said. "It's a positive thing for the school."

March 1 was "favorite decade day." Students dressed up as their favorite characters from the 1960s, '70s or '80s. The students took on the faculty in basketball Friday, and March 29 is No Homework Day.

"For me, this is fun. Something different to do," said Broadneck junior Chris Urbin, who is helping to organize the March planting of 600 trees and 50 shrubs around the school and a stream behind it. "I am worried about school and having time to work and I am trying to pay for a car -- stuff like that."

Molly Weller, a junior who attended Monday's student foul-shooting contest to watch her boyfriend compete, said the March activities help her stay involved in school.

"And it really is a lot of fun," she said.

For seniors who know the end of their high school career is near, March Madness can jolt them out of boredom.

"It's the end of the winter and everything is dragging out," said senior M. J. Pruner of Broadneck. "Exams, waiting to hear from colleges."

"This is a good break from it all. It really helps me feel re-energized."