Alternative education refers to any type of educational setting beyond traditional classrooms. With the advent of the digital age, the internet now offers many opportunities for alternative education for high school students that were never available in the past. These opportunities are available a wider range of students as well. Alternative education may be about choice, about allowing a troubled student to continue with her education or helping a student who is struggling to succeed.
Alternative online high schools offer students and their families educational choices beyond neighborhood public schools. Some are free, public schools that let students work according to their own abilities. These schools offer the structure of a traditional school and a high school diploma, but may free up time for students who play competitive sports or music, for instance. They also allow options to students with an interest in a specific subject, like science, math or art.
Some students have problems that make it impossible for them to continue in traditional classroom education. Whatever the cause of the problem, these students may be able to use alternative online high school as an opportunity to finish their education in a different setting. Some high schools offer school-within-a-school systems, where these students can work apart from their peers with an online program. Another option might be working at an alternative or adult high school setting, using an online program. Other students may be able to work from home using similar programs.
For one reason or another, some students fall behind. Perhaps failing grades have caused them to lack the credits they need for graduation. Other students may have learning disabilities that have caused them to require remedial teaching in some subjects. For these students, alternative online high schools allow them to work at their own pace. Working with an adviser, they can get the extra help they need without the frustration or stigma of being behind in a traditional classroom.