Discover the top alternative schooling options available worldwide for self-led students
Over the past few years, more and more families have chosen to look for alternative forms of education for their children.
The pace of people leaving traditional schools accelerated post-Covid, after families saw what their kids’ education looked like close-up, and it became more normal to have your kids home all day.
In fact, the 2020-2021 school year saw a 63% increase in homeschooling families. Even after schools reopened, the 2021-2022 school year only saw a 17% drop in that number—meaning hundreds of new families are choosing alternative methods of schooling.
Even if parents are unhappy with the traditional school model, choosing the unschooling or homeschooling route is a big step for many people.
Thankfully homeschooling and unschooling are only two methods of alternative education available. Rapid progress in education technology means there are dozens of options available for parents who want to find the best fit for their kids, instead of defaulting to the traditional model.
If you want to pull your kids out of standard school, you have lots of of choices – and can select the school that is the best fit for your child’s unique needs and goals.
What are alternative schools?
Wikipedia’s definition of an alternative school is:
An alternative school is an educational establishment with a curriculum and methods that are nontraditional. Such schools offer a wide range of philosophies and teaching methods; some have strong political, scholarly, or philosophical orientations, while others are more ad hoc assemblies of teachers and students dissatisfied with some aspect of mainstream or traditional education.
Basically, any school that falls outside the traditional school model.
Some alternative schools are more experimental than others. Some don’t have teachers. Some don’t have grades. Some teach common core subjects through apps, and others are almost entirely project-based.
In the following list, we won’t be covering the broader alternative educational landscape of homeschool curriculums or unschooling methods — we’ll only focus on educational organizations (schools) that take a non-traditional approach to education.
To be classified on this list of top alternative schools, we looked for several different things:
- A non-traditional approach to testing and assessment.
- An appreciation for unique learning styles and environment.
- An openness to self-guided learning as opposed to arbitrary state standards.
- Multiple locations or virtual options (i.e. single local schools are less likely to be on this list).
Myths About Alternative Schools
The traditional view of alternative schools is that they are only a fit for “at risk”, behaviorally challenged, or developmentally challenged kids. The assumption made is that if you send your child to an alternative school you’re automatically saying that he or she can’t “hack it” in the traditional school model.
This negative connotation of the term could keep many parents from thinking of alternative methods of education for their kids – after all, we want our children to be able to integrate into society, right?
Another myth on the opposite end of the spectrum is that alternative schools are for the extremely rich or gifted children. This myth is propagated by the fact that many rich families send their kids to private or charter schools with higher budgets.
Unfortunately, though, many of these higher-budget schools run similarly to traditional public schools – with newer textbooks and better lunches, yes… but with the same school bells, hall passes, permission-based educations, and general prison-like atmospheres. They aren’t actually alternative models.
No wonder “alternative schools” are misunderstood by the general public!
Today, alternative schools aren’t only for below- or above-average children and families. Alternative schools exist for anyone who disagrees with the traditional education model—in public schools, private schools, universities, and more—and want an option that allows each child to learn in their own unique way, not according to old factory-style models.
If you’re a parent looking for alternatives to the flawed traditional education system, this list will serve as a jumping-off point to start exploring what’s out there.
11 Top Alternative Schools for All Ages
Acton Academy
Location:
In-person and worldwide, with most locations centered in the U.S..
Find locations here.
Grade Level(s):
K-12
Who is it for?
Families who want an interactive in-person environment without the “prison-like” feel of traditional public and private schools.
Educational Philosophy:
Acton Academy centers their education around the hero’s journey. Each student’s education is individualized based on their personal goals and gifts.
Acton promises a learner driven environment: students create and sign their own contracts outlining their goals and the consequences for missing those goals. Mentors (not teachers) work with students to affirm their individual learning plans. Students can also earn badges celebrating character and leadership skills.
Acton has three levels: Elementary Studio, Middle Studio, and Launchpad Studio.
According to Acton Academy’s website, here are their 5 promises to each student:
He or she will:
- Begin a Hero’s Journey
- Learn to be a curious, independent, lifelong learner.
- Develop a deep respect for economic, political and religious freedoms.
- Cherish the arts, wonders of the physical world and the mysteries of life on Earth.
- Discover his or her most precious gifts and learn to use them to solve difficult problems.
Pros:
- More locations than many other alternative schools
- Prioritizes real world skills and apprenticeships as well as Socratic Dialogue
Cons:
- Not for families looking for a virtual option
- Not a fit for kids who aren’t excited about becoming self-directed
Alpha School
Location:
Texas—currently featuring locations in Austin, Brownsville, and Dallas
Find locations here.
Grade Level(s):
K-12
Who is it for?
Families or students in Texas who prioritize self-paced education and in-person learning.
Educational Philosophy:
Alpha Schools prioritize personalized learning. Instead of grades, students are grouped together by “levels” in 2-year age bands, allowing students to work together and help each other reach their individual goals.
Alpha Schools use adaptive apps and other tools that allow their students to learn twice as fast as normal public educated students – so they can spend the mornings knocking out common core, and the afternoons working on self-directed projects. At earlier levels, Alpha students spend their afternoons attending workshops of their choice (such as budgeting or negotiation), and in high school students spend their afternoons building a self-directed project called a Masterpiece.
From Alpha’s website:
Picture a campus that looks more like a tech startup than a school. Kids are learning upside down on couches, swinging from hammocks, snuggled together, or covered in flour. Most surprising is experiencing students who truly love coming to school each day….
We believe kids who love school work harder, step out of their comfort zone, connect with each other, and take ownership of everything from their day-to-day life to their future. We achieve that and more through our innovative academic model.
Pros:
- No homework
- On-location learning allows for working parents to drop their kids off for the day, like “normal” schools do
- Project-based learning
- Technologically advanced
Cons:
- Not accessible to families outside Austin, Dallas, or surrounding areas
Forest School
Location:
Worldwide—just become a Forest School practitioner and start your own group!
Grade Level(s):
All grade levels (but a better fit for middle school and younger)
Who is it for?
Families interested in getting outdoors and learning in a “classroom without walls”
Educational Philosophy:
Forest Schools is dedicated to helping kids get outside and learn to navigate the real world—literally.
From the Forest Schools Website:
Forest Schools are nature-based communities where trained practitioners nurture learner-led exploration and discovery, nurturing meaningful experiences for positive lifelong impacts.
The Forest Schools 3-level training courses allow any dedicated outdoors lover to start their own forest school for other families interested in learning by exploring the outdoors.
Pros:
- Site includes all the tools you need to start a Forest School, including insurance
Cons:
- Must have access to a woodland environment
- Not a good fit for parents who can’t be involved in the day-to-day of their children’s education
Fusion Academy
Location:
Virtual + Multiple locations across the United States
Grade Level(s):
Middle School and High School
Who is it for?
Families who want part- or full-time education options for their children with the freedom of self-directed learning.
Educational Philosophy:
Fusion Academy is a happy medium between the structure of traditional school and fully self-directed learning for middle-highschool students.
But their main selling point is the one-to-one approach they use for all classes. From Fusion Academy’s website:
Fusion Academy classes are one-to-one: one student and one teacher per classroom. This allows teachers to personalize course material for student strengths, interests, and learning styles. It also allows us to customize a schedule that works for your life.
Full-time students (both virtual and in-person) attend each class with one teacher and no other students in the room. This means no one has to feel uncomfortable about asking questions or exploring new ideas with their teacher. Once they’ve mastered the material, there’s no reason to stay in the classroom until a bell rings. Fusion also features a “homework cafe” in-person and virtually where students can hang out with their peers and collaborate on assignments.
Since Covid, Fusion has expanded to offer virtual classes, allowing for more students to access part- or full-time learning options.
Pros:
- Fully customized learning options
- Prioritizes One-to-one learning
- In-person options available
Cons:
- Tuition is expensive
Higher Ground Education (Montessori)
Location:
Worldwide, with most locations centered in the U.S.
Grade Level(s):
Pre-K through Middle School
Who is it for?
Families interested in Montessori education.
Educational Philosophy:
Higher Ground is focused on creating a worldwide network of Montessori schools.
Montessori seeks to help kids develop their individual interests and skills in a natural environment. Montessori classrooms are multi-age environments free from tests and traditional boxes of achievement. One of the key components of Montessori education is uninterrupted work periods, where kids are free to learn at their own pace without getting cut off by adults or school bells.
From their website:
Higher Ground is on a mission to modernize and mainstream Montessori.
Higher Ground won’t just connect you with the right Montessori school in your area—the brand is also committed to providing parents and educators with all the resources they need to become “dedicated Montessorians.”
Pros:
- One-stop resource for anyone considering Montessori education
- Partnered with multiple Montessori brands
Cons:
- Not a fit for families who aren’t interested in Montessori education
Kubrio XP
Location:
Online, with local options
Grade Level(s):
K-12
Who is it for?
Families comfortable with virtual learning but also interested in local in-person learning experiences. Great for traveling or nomadic families, since students call in from all over the world.
Educational Philosophy:
Kubrio employs a hybrid model of online classes and in-person learning centers called dojos (located all over the world). Classes are offered across a wide array of topics – everything from world geography to productivity to the economics of gaming – and classes are held at staggered times, so kids from around the globe can join.
Through this model, Kubrio promises to:
Empower… your child to take charge of their own learning. With our competency-based approach, they’ll build the relevant hard and soft skills needed to thrive in our ever-changing world.
Pros:
- Save 20% when you enroll siblings
- Options for full accreditation if your child is interested in college
- Hybrid model combines online and in-person options
Cons:
- Local dojo options are sparse
- Not a great fit if your kid doesn’t enjoy doing school from a computer
Prenda
Location:
United States
Grade Level(s):
K-8
Who is it for?
Families interested in a small-group, mixed-age learning environment where kids can learn individually
Educational Philosophy:
Prenda is a network of tuition-free microschools that focus on providing a learning environment where each child can have a self-paced education surrounded by friends of many ages. Each microschool has a dedicated teacher and takes an individually-tailored approach to each child’s learning.
From their website:
The Prenda Learning Experience prioritizes each student’s unique needs as they progress in all their core subjects and more. Think project-based, mastery-focused learning, combined with state-of-the-art online tools that allow students to learn at their pace.
Pros:
- Self-paced learning environment with other kids of all ages
- “Guides” (Prenda’s coaches) lead students while helping them maintain an autonomous learning style
- Tuition-free!
Cons:
- Prenda is still a small network and it may be hard to find a microschool in your area
- Not available for high school students
Prisma
Location:
Online
Grade Level(s):
4-8 (Middle School)
Who is it for?
Parents who want their kids to learn from home without attending traditional online school, but don’t have 4-6 hours per day to teach them.
Educational Philosophy:
Prisma checks all the boxes for parents wanting their kids to have a self-guided education with some structure.
According to Prisma’s website,
At Prisma we believe in ‘hard fun’—learning that is enjoyable and challenging—and we believe that kids should never be wondering “Why am I learning this?”
Each “cycle” or 6-week education period surrounds a fun theme. No tests are administered, but students can receive badges based on their hard work and participation. Instead of grades, students graduate with a portfolio of projects showcasing what they’ve learned.
Pros:
- Highly individualized learning program
- No traditional tests (project-based learning)
- Collaborative workshops (not lectures)
Cons:
- Cost—it takes $9000 per year per child to attend Prisma
- For students who need in-person friendships, a local community could be needed on top of Prisma’s online network
The Socratic Experience
Location:
In-person and online
Grade Level(s):
Ages 8-19
Who is it for?
Students excited for deeper intellectual inquiry and who work well with a Socratic learning method.
Educational Philosophy:
Instead of dividing students up by age-based grades, The Socratic Experience (TSE) features three tiers: Novice, Middle School, and High School. Personal projects and writing assignments are all based on the student’s individual interests, not pre-prescribed curricula. For subjects like math, students work at their own pace and set personal goals with a coach’s help.
According to the TSE website,
The Socratic Experience is the meaningful, purpose-driven education we wish we had had, combining classical education with self-directed learning. Socratic intellectual inquiry based on classic and contemporary texts is at the core. Students learn to analyze text to provide evidence-based interpretations.
Pros:
- Students aren’t divided by grade level – instead, self-paced learning is encouraged
- Students participate in feedback exercises and interactive workshops each day
- Students have personal coaches helping them to set goals
Cons:
- Not for students and families who don’t appreciate a Socratic learning style
- 100% virtual environment could be hard for students who value in-person interaction
Sora Schools
Location:
Virtual (but only available between Eastern to Pacific time zones)
Grade Level(s):
Middle School and High School
Who is it for?
Middle and high school students interested in project-based learning while earning the credits needed, should they choose to go to college.
Educational Philosophy:
Sora is known for its project-based learning and mastery-based assessment (no arbitrary tests or long nights of homework!) Students at Sora are also partnered with personal advisors and learning experts, who help guide each student through their learning experiences.
According to Sora’s website:
Unlike traditional schools which have rigid schedules, Sora offers a flexible learning journey for its students. Students have the choice of which order to earn their academic credits, allowing them to stay on track towards high school graduation while also making time for passions, businesses, research, and other endeavors students may already be undertaking.
Pros:
- Perfect for anyone between Eastern to Pacific time zones who loves virtual project-based learning
- Allows students to earn traditional academic credits – but at their personal pace
- Gives students the space to chase their own projects – anything from researching a mathematical concept to launching a business
Cons:
- No options available outside Eastern-PacificPacific-Eastern time zones
- Only one in-person location available in Atlanta
THINK Global School
Location:
Traveling high school: 4 different countries each year
Grade Level(s):
10-12
Who is it for?
Students under 18 interested in learning through travel.
Educational Philosophy:
THINK Global focuses on the value of learning through travel. While visiting 4 countries each year, students complete academic work related to the area they’re visiting. They immerse themselves in the culture, cementing the information they learn by combining academics with real-world lessons.
Cohorts travel to 4 countries per year for a duration of 8 weeks per trip, with 5-week breaks in between each trip to reconnect with family and friends. Parents are welcome to meet up with students at any point during their travels.
According to their website,
The THINK Global School experience is the confluence of travel and learning: where Global Studies are truly global and no subject is limited to the classroom. Learn to explore, research, and document the world around you with wisdom and compassion, while living and learning with a diverse student body and faculty in a new country every term.
Pros:
- With 4 students per adult, each individual is likely to get the personal attention they need during their time at THINK Global
- Great for any student wanting to build autonomy while learning in a unique environment
- Students graduate with a high school diploma while using the world as their playground
Cons:
- Only 45 students per year can currently be accepted into the program
- Students could spend up to 2 months away from their families during each travel period
- Cost—the total cost to attend is $94,050 (although there are financial aid options available)
These are just a few of the best alternative schools – but there are lots more out there.
10 years ago, it was hard to find even one alternative school. Most families looking for alternatives had to go it alone.
But in today’s world, alternative schooling options are abundant. Whether you’re looking for in-person learning, programs that offer accreditation, unschooling-style options, or something else, there are sure to be several top alternative schools where your kids can live up to their fullest potential.
