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For the Calgary school with this name see Alternative High School (Calgary)

In 1970, there were only a few alternative schools in operation in the United States. They originated to serve a growing population of students who were not experiencing success in the traditional schools. Today there are thousands, and the number continues to grow. The term "alternative" is now used to describe nearly every type of school imaginable, but many share certain distinguishing characteristics:

• Small size
• Close student-teacher relationship
• Student decision-making
• Diverse curriculum
• Peer guidance & Parental involvement

In education, the phrase alternative school, sometimes referred to as a minischool, or remedial school, is any public or private school having a special curriculum offering a more flexible program of study than a traditional school. A wide range of philosophies and teaching methods are offered by alternative schools; 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 education. Alternative schools is geared towards students whose needs cannot be met in the traditional school such as underachievers who do not qualify for special education.

See also

• Alternative school
• Alternative high schools
• Homeschooling

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