What Alternative Schools and Programs Are Offered in Massachusetts?
Hampshire College, located in Amherst, is currently Massachusetts’ only alternative postsecondary school. Alternative schools focus on providing a learning model different from traditional educational philosophies. At Hampshire College, students design their own major from the college’s five interdisciplinary schools. Students generally take courses from two or more of the schools simultaneously. These interdisciplinary schools include the School of Cognitive Science, the School for Interdisciplinary Arts, the School of Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies, the School of Social Science and the School of Natural Science. Areas of study at Hampshire College include topics such as African American studies, animal behavior, art history, business, dance, economics, film, geology, history, theatre and writing.