What is an alternative school?
An alternative school is a school that has a unique focus or a theme that may address the needs and interests of your child. Examples of these programs are the ear round program at Argonne and the arts program at Rooftop. Please see Attachment A to these questions and answers for a complete list of alternative rograms.
‘Alternative Schools’ offer students and parents something different from mainstream schooling. Each alternative school, whether elementary or secondary, has a distinct identity and approach to curriculum delivery. They usually feature a small student population, a commitment to innovative and experimental programs, and volunteer commitment from parents and other community members. Students take credit courses in all alternative secondary schools. In some schools, courses are delivered through an independent study program. Each school varies in enrolment, age groups, and grade levels.
Alternative schools have long been defined by what they are not: Not in the educational mainstream. Geared for students not succeeding in traditional classroom settings. Not bound by the conventional rules and regulations regarding textbooks, class size, curriculum, grades, teaching styles. But what are they, exactly? There is no simple answer. An alternative “cyberschool” in California delivers individual instruction via home computers to high school students who range from gifted to slow learners. In Connecticut, an adventure curriculum is built around rock climbing and other forms of outdoor education designed to build students’ self-esteem. Students in a Foxfire program in New England conduct oral history interviews in the community to learn how local folktales reflect their culture. In the Northwest, alternative programs are similarly marked by innovation and variety. Students interested in real-world education can gain experience at jobsites in the community while developing thei
