Every student has their own needs and learning requirements. Thus, not everyone can succeed in the uniform educational system among regular or traditional schools. That’s why alternative schools and alternative education programs were developed. They cater to some learners who don’t can’t survive in traditional schools due to problems like learning disabilities and behavioral challenges.
It’s good to know that these schools exist to facilitate learning among students with unique needs. This way, parents don’t have to force their children to fit into traditional schools with regular education programs.
It also means they have the right to education, regardless of requiring a different learning setup.
Successful Alternative Schools
Let’s explore some types of alternative schools and how they facilitate learning among students with unique needs.
- Montessori Schools
Montessori schools value learning among students of different ages. It features multi-age classrooms where students of different age groups can communicate and interact with their fellow learners. They promote the self-paced type of learning, which is facilitated by nurturing and amiable teachers.
It means that students can accomplish their learning goals without competing with the other learners’ pace. Learning isn’t pressured, so they could take time to understand the concepts thoroughly.
- Waldorf Schools
Rudolf Steiner, the founder of anthroposophy, started the educational concept of Waldorf schools, also known as “Steiner Education.” Teachers in Waldorf schools can generate teaching methods and curriculum content that facilitates imagination and creativity among learners.
Moreover, Waldorf schools promote life-long learning, enabling learners to fully accept and nurture their unique learning capacities from preschool to the twelfth grade. They cultivate learners’ skills in different fields through experiential learning. This means that the concept of learning in Waldorf schools goes beyond reading. It’s more about experiencing them.
Successful Alternative Educations Programs
In this part, let’s explore some of the best alternative education programs and discover how each caters to unique learners.
- Homeschooling
With homeschooling, learners don’t have to wait for their fellow learners to achieve the learning objectives set in the learning materials.
If they have realized all the objectives, they can proceed to the following learning material without going through repetitive and redundant lessons. The teacher-learner ratio in homeschooling programs is low, making it preferable for learners who are more comfortable with one-on-one teaching.
Moreover, homeschooling is the best option for families who frequently travel, learners with health issues, and military families. Parents of homeschooling learners can choose the curriculum and resources. Thus, students can learn various subjects from different perspectives.
- Online Learning Programs
Virtual classrooms are preferable for learners who struggle to thrive in a physical learning environment. There are many benefits to this type of education program, so many parents have a slight inclination towards this than the other education programs.
Of course, flexibility is the top benefit of online learning programs. You have the autonomy to pilot the schedule, so you won’t miss any of it. Moreover, parents don’t have to worry about transportation costs because learners will be taught through the screens.
Other benefits of online learning programs include increased course variety, personalized education, and immediate teacher feedback.
Benefits of Alternative Schools and Alternative Education Programs
To learn more about how alternative schools and alternative education programs benefit many learners, continue reading below.
- Individualized Learning
Alternative schools feature programs you can’t find in the one-size-fits-all offerings of traditional schools. The best thing about alternative schools is that they value each learner’s unique strengths.
Unlike traditional schools, where everyone must possess and develop the same skills as everyone else, traditional schools encourage individual learning.
The core of the curriculum among alternative schools is experiential learning and creative skills. Thus, learners are fostered to find their passions and interests, all without competing with their fellow learners.
- Accommodating Different Learning Styles
Of course, learners differ when it comes to learning styles. The four most common learning styles we are all familiar with are visual, auditory, read and write, and kinaesthetic. While some students are comfortable with all these learning styles, they should be at least more inclined to one over the others.
Alternative schools also offer alternative learning methods like homeschooling and online classes. These options allow students who find it difficult to focus when forced to interact with fellow learners in the same classroom.
Moreover, these options cater to one-on-one attention that some learners may prefer.
- Holistic Development
Alternative schools aren’t only about honing a learner’s academic performance. They also focus on developing a learner’s social and emotional intelligence and soft skills.
Further, they aim to foster learners who can communicate effectively, are flexible, and empathize with others. They feature transformative education systems that allow learners to learn in a tailored learning environment.
Final Thoughts
Given the wealth of benefits promised by alternative schools and alternative learning programs, parents should consider enrolling their children in one of these. However, knowing whether a learner is suitable for any of these learning systems would take a thorough assessment.
Observe and ask what your child wants to do, and weigh the pros and cons of each option you have.