Alternative Schools
These are generally schools whose educational philosophies are different from traditional programs. Typically, alternative schools have small classes, a social and emotional development curriculum and a self-paced academic curriculum. This title is used officially as well as informally to describe a wide range of schools, so it's important to ask specific schools why they are classified as "alternative."

Home-schooling
Another option is for parents to teach their children at home instead of sending them to a public or private school. Each state has different laws governing home-schooling. Many communities have organizations that assist home-schooling families with curriculum and opportunities to meet other home-schoolers.

Excerpted from GreatSchools.org 


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