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Educational Options: Alternative

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  • Organizations: National

    Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA)
    Developed by Rudolf Steiner in 1919, Waldorf education is based on a developmental approach that addresses the needs of the growing child and maturing adolescent. Waldorf teachers strive to transform education in to an art that educates the whole child—the heart and the hands, as well as the head.
    Gifted Homeschoolers Forum (GHF)
    Gifted Homeschoolers Forum (GHF) supports, educates, and advocates for gifted and twice-exceptional children, their families, and the professionals who serve them, as they pursue alternative, lifelong educational paths. GHF offers an array of publications, services, online classes, and other support and outreach. GHF's outreach and advocacy extend worldwide, both online and with regional representatives.

  • Printed Materials: Books

    Serving Gifted Learners Beyond the Traditional Classroom: A Guide to Alternative Programs and Services
    Part of The Critical Issues in Equity and Excellence in Gifted Education Series, this concise guide provides an introduction to the various types of out-of-school programming recommended and appropriate for gifted and advanced learners. VanTassel-Baska includes overviews of mentoring programs, residential schools, summer opportunities, and distance learning. Readers can learn about alternative services for teachers, parents and gifted education program directors. Click here to read a review of this book.
    The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education
    Filled with strategies, resources and guidance on how to design an interest-driven self-education, this book is for any bright student who wants to escape the drudgery of traditional school and get a "real education."
    The Teenager's Guide to School Outside the Box
    This practical, inspiring book explores the world of alternative learning, giving teens the knowledge and tools they need to make good choices. While not a directory of programs, instead Rebecca Greene introduces and describes a world of possibilities, from study abroad to internships, apprenticeships, networking, job shadowing, service learning, university coursework, and independent study.

  • Schools & Programs: College Affiliated

    Texas Academy of Leadership in the Humanities - Lamar University (Beaumont, TX)
    The Texas Academy of Leadership in the Humanities (TALH) is a public coeducational residential high school located in Beaumont, Texas. Academy students fulfill their junior and senior high school requirements by taking university classes and earning college credit. TALH is known as a highly selective high school for gifted and talented students eager for an enriched intellectual program enhanced by the disciplines of the humanities.

  • Schools & Programs: Independent

    Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain (Las Vegas, NV)
    The Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain in Las Vegas, Nevada is a learning community for boys and girls in preschool through grade eight that challenges students to achieve excellence in mind, body and character.
    Birches School (Lincoln, MA)
    This independent, co-educational elementary school offfers vigorous, interdisciplinary academics within a mindful, nurturing environment. The STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) approach centers on nature-based thematic units designed to cultivate academic and social development and to encourage students' curiosity, creativity, self-reliance and empathy.
    Clonlara’s Off-Campus Program
    Clonlara’s Off-Campus Program is for families who want to craft an education on their own terms. By design, it does not have a preset curriculum. Instead, students and their families have flexibility and freedom to choose how they learn - so it fits them. They are not locked into a specific textbook or online course.
    Conserve School (Land O'Lakes, WI)
    Conserve School is a private coeducational college preparatory boarding school. The school transitioned to a semester school format in 2010. Students now attend for just one semester of their sophomore or junior years of high school. This nonsectarian school places an emphasis on environmental stewardship, ethics and leadership, and innovative uses of technology.
    FlexSchool (Berkeley Heights, NJ, & Bronxville, NY)

    FlexSchool is a day school for gifted and twice exceptional (2e) middle and high school students. With two campuses (located in NJ and NY), FlexSchool provides a high-quality, flexible, individualized educational experience for divergent thinkers in middle school, high school and post-graduate year. The school provides one-on-one courses for those students who want to be a part of a school, yet need individual attention in some or all of their courses. The faculty focuses on critical thinking in all areas of learning; a “toolbox” concept emphasizing how to learn rather than an “encyclopedia” concept emphasizing specific material (though all core bases are covered in depth). Block scheduling promotes in-depth discussions and extensive experiments. For students in one-on-one courses, the depth and flexibility of the teaching staff enables students to customize their schedules.

    Hampshire Country School (Rindge, NH)
    Hampshire Country School is a private boarding school for boys ages 9-15, located in Rindge, New Hampshire. The school is for boys of high ability who need a personal environment with an unusual amount of adult attention and structure. Hampshire Country School can provide appropriate structure and support for certain students with nonverbal learning disabilities, Tourette Syndrome, ADHD, Asperger Syndrome, and other disorders; but it is not a treatment program. It is designed instead to involve and educate the bright, active, and interested side of each child rather than to dwell on the student's limitations and difficulties.
    Kradwell School (Wauwatosa, WI)
    Kradwell School is a school for students who aren't successful in traditional type school settings. They cater to gifted students, students with learning and behavioral disabilities including Dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Bi-Polar Disorder and Depression.
    Las Cruces Academy (New Mexico)
    Las Cruces Academy is a private, non-profit, secular school for gifted and academically advanced children who thrive in this alternative to other schools. The focus is on languages, math, and science, but the Academy fills out a good education with a variety of other subject areas.
    Midwest Academy for Gifted Education (MAGE) (Chicago, IL)
    This is the only private, not-for-profit, selective enrollment parent and educator founded progressive gifted school for grades K-12 in the City of Chicago. The school features small teacher: student ratios, differentiated/individual learning plan instruction and a robust social and emotional integrated education using best practices. In addition to regular full time programming, they also aim to offer part time enrollment options and in-schooling to support homeschoolers. Academic attainment is measured and reported instead of grades. Please contact Davidson Young Scholar parent and co-founder Irene Gottlieb at irene.gottlieb@mage.education for more information.
    Montessori Centre Academy (Glenshaw, PA)
    Montessori Center Academy, a private organization in Pennsylvania, offers alternative curriculum that encourages peer and cooperative learning. The school is also concerned with individual learning styles and aptitudes to maximize each child’s potential up through the sixth grade.
    Pioneer School (Veradale, WA)
    The educational philosophy at Pioneer School is based on a thematic approach to education. Every year we choose four to six special topics for in-depth study, which serve as a vehicle for teaching Math, Science, Reading, Spelling and Social Studies. It is the belief that standard subjects are more meaningful and skills more readily acquired when taught in the context of an interesting theme.
    Scholar Search Associates
    With information on independent schools and programs across the nation, this website can be useful when searching for opportunities for gifted students. Articles on schools from a number of viewpoints are also provided.
    The Traveling School (Bozeman, MT)
    The Traveling School is a semester-long program for girls 15-18 who wish to enhance their traditional academic experience with an overseas adventure. This non-profit is dedicated to the values of building self-esteem, increasing tolerance, creating cultural awareness, and encouraging academic exploration.
    Students earn full academic credit for seven semester courses in math, history, science, language arts, foreign language, PE, and global studies. The innovative and interesting curriculum takes full advantage of the environment and the culture overseas. The Traveling School works with students and their regular home high schools to ensure students receive full academic credit towards graduation.
    THINK Global School (TGS)
    THINK Global School (TGS) is an agile, mobile school with an expansive world view. It gives its students a profound understanding of the complexity of global issues and the ways they intersect with our everyday lives. TGS is a private non-profit high school that travels the world, allowing the students to study in three new international cities each academic year. Students travel to a different international city every trimester, learning the history and culture of each city – all based in a rigorous academic curriculum.

  • Schools & Programs: Math & Science Programs

    Carnegie Mellon The Robotics Institute (Pittsburgh, PA)
    The Robotics Institute and Carnegie Mellon offer many robotics related academic programs for students of all ages - from kindergarten through doctoral. Kindergarten through 12th Grade (K-12) Programs include: the Robotics Academy which
    uses robotics to inspire and excite students to pursue math and science related careers; Andrew's Leap is a summer program run by CMU's School of Computer Science with sessions on programming and robotics.
    Center for Advanced Studies in Science, Math, and Technology at Wheeler High School (Marietta, GA)
    The Center for Advanced Studies in Science, Math, and Technology at Wheeler High School is a public coeducational magnet school for grades 9-12, located in Marietta, Georgia. The Center is a specialized magnet program offering Cobb County high school students a unique and advanced curriculum in science, math, and technology.
    Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (Aurora, IL)
    The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) is a public coeducational residential school for grades 10-12, located in Aurora, Illinois. It is an internationally recognized pioneering educational institution created by the State to develop talent and stimulate excellence in teaching and learning in mathematics, science and technology.
    Massachusetts Academy of Mathematics and Science (Worcester, MA)
    The Academy is a public, state-wide magnet school which enrolls about 100 academically accelerated 11th and 12th graders. We emphasize math and science within a comprehensive, interactive academic program. The rigor of the junior year classes exceeds high school honors and AP, with more than 1200 hours of instruction.
    Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (Oklahoma City, OK)
    The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathmatics is a public, coeducational residential high school for grades 11-12, located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It is designed for the academically gifted students in mathematics and science.
    South Carolina's Governor's School for Science and Mathematics (Hartsville, SC)
    The school is a residential high school for academically advanced juniors and seniors located in Hartsville, South Carolina. It offers a flexible, enriched, and balanced curriculum with a special focus on science and math.
    Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS) (Denton, TX)
    The Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS) allows high school aged Texas students, who are gifted in Math and Science to complete a curriculum of college coursework through the University of North Texas. This two-year program requires students to follow a set schedule the first semester, and thereafter allows them to choose electives.
    The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (Columbus, MS)
    The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science is a state supported public coeducational residential school for Mississippi residents in grades 11-12, located in Columbus, Mississippi. The school's curriculum is innovative and rigorous. While meeting the legislative mandate to emphasize the mathematics and sciences, there are also many opportunities for exploration of computer science, literature, social sciences, music, and the arts.

  • Schools & Programs: Public

    Beach High School
    Beach High School is a non-traditional school that offers students the opportunity to earn a high school diploma working independently; students can earn the diploma through distance learning. Beach High School also offers counseling regarding educational options; information about educational resources; and college admissions counseling.
    Blair Science Magnet (Silver Spring, MD)
    The Magnet Program is designed to offer accelerated, interdisciplinary courses in science, mathematics, and computer science for highly able students particularly interested in these subjects.
    Conservatory Prep Senior High (Davie, FL)
    Conservatory Prep Senior High has a small student body, and considers itself well equipped to handle individual needs. Courses are taught at the honors level and can be taken as Advanced Topics (AT), which is an alternative to Advanced Placement (AP). Class sizes run between 5 and 12 students, providing opportunities for students to receive tremendous support and challenge.
    Digital Learning Center for the Gifted (AZ)
    Course content is based on major thematic elements found in the Arizona State Standards for seventh grade and eighth grades. By featuring thematic elements, the content encompasses multiple subjects simultaneously.
    Fiorello H. Laguardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts (New York, NY)
    This school is a public coeducational day school for grades 9-12, located in New York, New York. This is a facility where the most gifted and talented public school students of New York City could pursue their talents in art or music, while also completing a full academic program of instruction.
    Interlochen Arts Academy (Interlochen, MI)
    Interlochen Arts Academy is a private, coeducational residential high school dedicated to the arts. Located in Interlochen, Michigan, IAA is the nation's top fine arts boarding high school. Students come to study music, visual arts, dance, creative writing, theatre arts and college-preparatory academics with a distinguished faculty and staff. Students benefit from frequent visits from guest artists.
    Interlochen Center for the Arts
    Interlochen Center for the Arts provides an enriching experience for highly talented and motivated students and patrons interested in the arts through a variety of rigorous and inspiring programs. Services include:
  • Arts Camp - a summer school for grades 3 to 12
  • Arts Academy - a boarding fine arts high school
  • College of Creative Arts - a series of classes for adults
  • Pathfinder - an arts-integrated pre-K to grade 8 school
  • Arts Festival - theatre, music and exhibitions year round
  • Public Radio - two public radio stations entertain listeners in northern Michigan and on the web
Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts (LSMSA) (Natchitoches, LA)
The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) is a state-supported residential high school with competitive admissions for Louisiana's high-achieving, highly-motivated students. Students apply during either their freshman or sophomore year for the opportunity to attend the LSMSA for their final two or three years of high school. Consideration is also given to students who apply only to attend LSMSA for their senior year. As a public school, there is no tuition and only a nominal room and board fee that can be reduced or waived. Established by the Louisiana state legislature in 1982, LSMSA belongs to an expanding group of state-supported, residential high schools founded to serve the academic, artistic, and creative needs of many of the state's best students.
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (Durham, NC)
The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics is a public coeducational residential high school for North Carolina residents in grades 11-12, located in Durham, North Carolina. A FREE statewide residential magnet school for students with a strong aptitude and interest in math and science. An affiliate school of the University of North Carolina System.
River Springs Charter School (Temecula, CA)
River Springs Charter School is a free, K-12 public charter school that offers a wide range of educational opportunities and programs to help your child achieve his or her highest potential, whether that be in a classroom, online, or at home. By focusing on the freedom of choice, along with empowering parents to play a significant role as educators, we are able to tailor an optimized personal learning plan based on your child's learning style and needs.
South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities
The Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities is a public coeducational high school located in Greenville, South Carolina. This nine-month residential program opened in the fall of 1999 to serve artistically talented students of South Carolina and to be a resource for their teachers. Students apply and audition in five art areas: Creative Writing, Dance, Drama, Music, and Visual Arts. A summer program is also available.
The Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics and Humanities (Muncie, IN)
The Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics and Humanities is a public coeducational residential school for grades 11-12.
This two-year high school for gifted and talented students is located on the campus of Ball State University. The curriculum has extensive offerings in science, mathematics, and humanities with a wide variety of options in higher-level and advanced placement courses. Education, housing, and meals are provided to students at no cost to their parents. Students have access to the Ball State University campus, library, computer labs, wellness facilities and numerous other programs.
University of North Carolina School of the Arts (Winston-Salem, NC)
This residential high school and college is for students who are pursuing a career in the arts. The school's mission is to train talented students for professional careers in the arts.
University Scholars Program (West Chester, PA)
The University Scholars Program, within the PA Leadership Charter School (PALCS), offers specialized gifted education curriculum. The Program is designed to maximize the intellectual potential of gifted and motivated learners, where individual achievement is valued and supported. Only PALCS students may apply for participation in this high performance/high achieving program.
Virtual Learning Academy Charter School (Exeter, NH)
The Virtual Learning Academy Charter School is New Hampshire's first statewide, online high school that is available, free of charge, to all high school students who live in New Hampshire.

  • Websites & Other Media: Informational

    Waldorf Answers
    This website provides a presentation on Waldorf education developed by Rudolf Steiner. Find a helpful FAQ page, the definition of Anthroposophy, a list of published studies and more items of interest. Note: this site represents the personal views of the authors and is not an official position statement of any Waldorf school, association of Waldorf schools or the Anthroposophical Society.

  • Websites & Other Media: Learning Tools

    Challenge Math Online
    Challenge Math is designed for upper elementary students who are seeking to improve their problem solving, logic reasoning and analytical skills, seeking challenge in math beyond regular school curriculum and preparing for national math competitions. Challenge Math gives out 2 assignments with 5 challenging problem solving questions each every week. Problems are non-routine problem solving questions that are adapted to many math competitions.
    The Art of Learning Project
    The Art of Learning Project is a non-profit educational initiative sponsored by The JW Foundation. Its mission is to reinvigorate the world’s belief in the power of education by supporting parents, educators, and coaches in igniting a life-long love of learning in children and young adults.