Alternative School ~ No Longer a Bad Word
My boys are bright, athletic and creative. But they don’t school well.
They understand abstract concepts such as Duality and learn a variety of things such as cryptocurrencies, languages and robotics in their spare time. But they do not flourish in a stagnant, test driven environment focused on a standard set of ideals which only one third of the population naturally fits.
Education should never be considered "one size fits all". Rote memorization does not work for two thirds of the human population! There are three styles of learning, but the traditional educational model only implements one. That leaves two thirds of the class struggling and stressed out. School is supposed to be a place of learning and nurturing!
I used to hear “alternative school” hissed in a disgusted manner. “Did you hear? Jody’s son is going to the alternative school,” spat in hushed tones like it was a dirty word. I used to think it was the disdain of the education system. The ugly stepchild that hung out in the ghetto that no one wanted to associate with, and preferred to try and forget. I was led to believe that only juvenile criminals and kids who did not care about their future attended alternative schools.

My middle son received a Certificate of Completion with a sealed note on his 4th grade graduation day. The letter, addressed to me, said that he never turned in one homework paper all year and should be sent back to the 1st grade, not go on to 5th. However, Mrs. Teacher feared receiving my son in her class next year so went ahead and graduated him knowing failed students look bad on a teachers annual report.
This was strange news to me. Especially considering I volunteered at the school one to three days a week.
Two months into my oldest sons freshman year in high school, I called a meeting to determine why he was failing every class. I set it for a morning before school so as not to put anyone out and all 6 of his teachers attended, along with the principal and the school counselor.Two of the teachers were not hiding their disdain for being there by sighing loudly and slamming papers and files. The teachers began by agreeing John was very happy and kind, and a pleasure to have in class. He was never late and he was a joy. Suddenly, John’s math teacher stood so hard that her chair clambered backward and shouted, “I refuse to waste one more minute on a kid who doesn’t care,” and loudly stomped out of the meeting.
The counselor apologized for the outburst, saying, “She is just irritated that you disrupted her morning routine.” She then proceeded to inform me that all freshmen have problems with their grades- it’s “normal.”
My bad, forgive me for not realizing your morning routine is more important than my sons future.
(Perhaps this attitude is a good indication as to why the freshmen are failing?)
How can a child grow and absorb information when the instructor paints the class with an atmosphere of disdain and malcontent? The icy and loathsome attitudes from an alarming number of teachers may very well stem from their dissatisfaction from their jobs, but it has no place in the classroom.
Plants cannot grow and thrive in a stagnant and negative atmosphere. How can we expect our children to?
For many students, middle and high school can be a negative and overwhelmingly stressful experience. Standard "in the box" instruction, obscenely large class sizes, lack of individualized support and other factors such as uncaring attitudes from instructors can lead students to believe they are alone and school is not worth the effort. Once believed to be a place for “the bad kids”, alternative schools are not only the logical answer for students who do not fit well with traditional schooling, but also becoming more appealing as the only real answer to our failing educational system.
While some alternative school students have earned the labels of *misfit* or *troublemaker*, many times it’s because they do not have the ability to conform to the “normal”. By possessing learning abilities and perspectives that do not conform with what the government deems the “average” or “ideal” student, they are given labels with negative connotations.Alternative school teachers tend to have a more caring attitude toward learning, and structure their lessons to adapt to the needs of their class. The class size is smaller leading to more individual attention per student from teachers and staff. This increases education engagement and a stronger understanding of what is studied, which improves grades and increases curiosity to learn more. The instructors want the children to succeed and provide more assistance and resources. Classes are tailored to meet different learning styles and offer an immersive experience. Some lessons include getting involved locally to solve problems. With this type of community involvement and nurturing from empowered staff, alternative schools create a sense of belonging and motivation in the student.
With many advantages and limitless potentials, alternative schools should no longer be the alternative. The answer to our failing education model is in making the alternative school model the mainstream. Our children, society, and our future depends on it.
This video is well worth the watch. It details the ridiculous model and even physical dangers from standardized testing.
Images via No Pineapple Left Behind and Pexels

I appreciate your support :)
With Love and Light and Good Mojo to my Tribe!
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I fully support alternative schooling and am also glad the stigma attached is diminishing. Agreed, the smaller the class size the better.
It bothers me that the education system doesn't teach children how to think. It's about remembering what you're told and repeating it back when asked.
It's all about memorization and test taking. When has either ever helped you as an adult?!
My step-daughter just did her entrance exams for High School. She passed one. The other, she fell in the 2nd block of students and therefore was not accepted into the International School. Meaning her grades are below 90% but above 80%. We are glad though that she'll be going ot the other school next year, where they DON'T emphasise on grades, but on self-improvement.
Right. The more I learn about the differences between traditional schools and alternative schools, the more I think the entire model should be changed!
Good, grades never did anyone any good ;)
No, exactly. Someone can have high grades and still be uneducated and act stupidly in the world.
Kids should be encouraged to do their best in whichever learning environment they are in and helped anytime they have trouble. Keep being a good mum and doing your best to help your children grow and have a positive future. :)
I agree with you. Unfortunately traditional schools are severely lacking... Did you watch that video? Its sickening- literally!
Thank you :)
Unfortunately not, just been doing a few things but it sounds like it would be a horrible video!
You're welcome anytime. :)
Great work on the post @arbitrarykitten! The system definitely needs fixing. There are so many teachers that bend over backward trying to help their students. They have students that aren't understanding a concept and they'll try multiple methods to help them understand. Sometimes another student that understands will be called over to assist. Others, the teacher will tell a student to come up during lunch for tutoring. (A LOT of parents in the district refuse to let their kids stay after school, mostly due to job hours and available childcare.) The teachers will write up alternative lesson plans for these students (on their off time) and send the materials home with a letter to the parents. They have posted the lessons on the parent portal websites along with videos and references. I know one 5th grade teacher who recommended an outside tutor that he felt would benefit the student. So, these types of teachers are wonderful and are what the standard of a teacher should be. They understand that the focus should be on getting our children to grow and discover, not compete in test scores so that a district can keep its funding.
Public schooling was meant to provide a solid base of education for our children. Its It's sad that the teaching style has shifted to only providing for one part of our whole. The alternative schools are gaining steam as more people are getting fed up with the way things are. Moving forward and changing for the better is always a great thing.
It sounds like you have a wonderful school district.
Before I had children, I never put much thought into living near great schools...
I now know the importance. Many of the graduates will stay in the area and create their own families... What kind of neighbors do you want?
Open minded ones, thank you kindly! the district is struggling in many ways. Eight of the schools are up for receivership due to poor test scores and low graduation rates. The school that my children attend has so many wonderful people on staff! Honestly, I think that they would do a better job running the school if they were just left to their own devices and no the guidelines of the district.
That is how the alternative schools are run- teacher empowerment
That's so true. Exams should change if it is too stay relevant. That being said, I just wrote about exams last night.
Must be exam season.
They should- there is so much stuff we learn that is irrelevant!
Lol, tis the season ;)
Good post @arbitrarykitten ;-)
You are a lot nicer than I would have been. Ol Girl that stood up with that attitude.. she would have had that tude put in check real quick.
Those that call themselves educators, have some real issues they need to work on. They think they can push you around, Ummm not happening! You mess with the Cub, you got Papa Bear to deal with! My daughter will not be going to middle or high school. I can indoctrinate her all by myself at home, without public education's help.
Have a great night. :-)
Exactly.
I began homeschooling them one by one in middle school- all three would have been a disaster, lol. They are terribly competitive and with me learning how... yea, I am happy I did it the way I did!
Good for you, it is difficult but it is worth it :)
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fantastic
Thanks!