Alternative approaches to education have emerged since the beginning of the 20th century and in the last 20 years, globalization and technology has supercharged that trend. Here are 10 types of innovative schools we’ve covered in our book—some of which you might wish to have known earlier.
the full story
If you went to a regular school and you received a regular education it’s likely that you felt an acute sense of boredom quite regularly. This is the reason we spent years researching the world of learning, wrote “The Unschoolers Educational Dictionary”’ and included inside 16 alternative school movements that offer bored boys and glum girls some hope.
Here are 10 types of education you might have wished to know about earlier.
forest schools
Forest schools represent a new educational movement from Northern Europe that is focusing on holistic education for young children, who spend the entire day outside—regardless of the weather. The approach encourages exploration, risk-taking, and the practice of physical activity. Forest schools are typically anything, but boring.
montessori education
A Montessori education fosters a child’s natural curiosity and desire to learn. Classes are typically mixed age and the rooms are open so children can freely explore and move around. Students work independently in 3-hour blocks— often with specific learning materials. Teachers act as guides, who encourage the children in their self-directed learning. Most Montessori schools focus on programs ranging from kindergarten to middle school.
art schools
Art schools offer an educational approach for middle and high school students that blends traditional academic learning with music, dance, drama, and the arts in general. Basic curriculums often include collaborative projects. Advanced courses typically help the students contextualize their art within a broader professional landscape.
democratic schools
Democratic Schools allow students to have complete control over their education. Class attendance is voluntary and rules are made by popular vote—students and faculty usually each have one vote. In one famous British Democratic School, they even voted once to allow everyone to attend class completely nude.
the international baccalaureate
The International Baccalaureate, or short, IB, is a globally recognized program that runs from kindergarten through high school and is known for its rigorous and holistic approach. The curriculum is highly structured and offers plenty of electives, encouraging students to ask themselves big questions: Who am I, what do I want in life, and how does the world work? Since most IB programs are offered by private international schools, they are often expensive.
waldorf schools
Waldorf schools offer a community of learning that nurtures a holistic development of children. The approach integrates arts, academics, and hands-on activities, promoting a balanced growth of body and soul. Its structured curriculum ranges from kindergarten to high school and integrates projects like gardening, stage play, or internships. There are no grades until grade 9 and no competitions in general.
microschools
Microschools are a new educational approach that was started by parents in the early 2000s. They are characterized by mixed-aged classrooms of less than 15 students, which resembles the size of a large family or a dedicated team in a company. Some microschools follow traditional academic subjects. Others focus on practical life skills. Classes are usually led by a tutor.
reggio emilia
Reggio Emilia is an education tailored to children, from 2 to 6 years old who learn through real-life experiences. The role of the teachers is not to instruct the children, but instead to assist, to ensure safety, to provide tools or resources to help them in their own journey.
technical schools
Technical Schools offer young adults an educational experience that blends theoretical knowledge with real work application. Teachers are often professionals in their field, and when done right, students alternate classwork with on-the-job training at a real company. Those who learn at a technical school are usually ready to work in the field they were trained in, starting their professional life often earlier than others.
online schools
Online schools offer all sorts of courses to all sorts of students. While most focus on higher education, today even middle schoolers start to learn online. This is because children from, say, Cambodia can get an accredited degree from an online high school in the UK. Online schools are especially good for families who homeschool or unschool, as they can offer an inexpensive alternative path to college.
explore further
If you want to learn more about alternative education, get our book. It includes a comprehensive overview of the most important alternative school movements and a list of the most common considerations for choosing the right education for you or your child. For more details read the description below!
Sources
- Alternative education – Wikipedia.org
- Marshall C. (2017). Montessori education: a review of the evidence base. NPJ science of learning, 2, 11.
- Salchegger, S., Wallner-Paschon, C., & Bertsch, C. (2021). Explaining Waldorf students’ high motivation but moderate achievement in science: is inquiry-based science education the key?. Large-scale assessments in education, 9(1), 14.
Dig deeper!
- Learn about the impact of education on health
- Learn about how certain types of education can affect mental health in adulthood
- Read about how art-based programs enhance academic performance
Classroom activity
In this activity, students will learn about alternative education.
- Ask the class what they think about the education system in their school.
- What would they change, and why?
- Show the class Sprout’s video on 10 Types of Education you Didn’t Know Existed
- Ask the class if they knew about any of those before.
- Ask the class if any of those education types feels appealing to them, and which ones don’t.
- Ask students which elements they would like to bring to their own classroom.
Collaborators
- Script: Jonas Koblin and Ludovico Saint Amour di Chanaz, PhD
- Cartoon artist: Pascal Gaggelli
- Producer: Selina Bador
- Voice artist: Matt Abbott
- Coloring: Nalin
- Editing: Peera Lertsukittipongsa
- Sound Design: Miguel Ojeda
- Publishing: Vijyada Songrienchai
