About Alternative Education

• Definition of Alternative Education
• Common Elements of Alternative Education
• Factors that Place Students At Risk
• Frequently Asked Questions and Promising Practices
• Alternative Education Guide

Common Elements of Alternative Education

Alternative Education programs may operate as a:

• Program affiliated with one or more schools or districts
• Separate self-contained alternative school

The setting of Alternative Education may be:

• School buildings (during school and/or non-school hours)
• Former school buildings
• Community or recreation centers
• Neighborhood organizations
• Community college or other post-secondary campus

Components of Alternative Education may include:

• Community Service Learning (CSL)
• Intense academic monitoring
• Partnership with a local college/university (i.e., community college)
• Small group learning (low student/teacher ratios)
• Parent/family involvement
• Life skills training
• Conflict resolution training
• Partnerships with community based organizations (i.e., YMCA)
• Work based learning opportunities
• Flexible scheduling for academic instruction

Last Updated: March 26, 2018