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An alternative school is designed for students who are not succeeding in what is considered the traditional school curriculum. They are alternative in that they provide students with new learning experiences and options.
Misconceptions
An alternative school is not a mental health institution or a juvenile delinquent facility. While some students who need alternative education may be troubled, others are simply children who do not learn well in a traditional school environment.
Types
Alternative schools vary greatly in curriculum, mission, and facilities. These factors depend on the needs of the students, which range from emotional to medical.
Part-time
Some alternative schools enroll students part-time. Depending on the school, this could be because the student is at his regular school during the other portion of the day. Other schools employ this schedule so the student may work a part-time job.
Temporary
Some school districts have an alternative school campus, where students are sent for a period of days, weeks, or even months, depending on the number of infractions at their regular school.
Expert Insight
According to the Indiana Department of Education, a successful alternative education program should utilize a maximum student/teacher ratio of 1 to 15, a small student base, and a flexible school schedule.
Source:
Indiana Department of Education
Resource:
EducationRevolution.org
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