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High school is a very important time in a teen's life. It's supposed to prepare one for the demands of high school and eventually, real life where they are expected to gain independence and become productive adults. However, not all students fit in traditional public schools. Some really have other needs and situations that need to be met and forcing them into a traditional school system is often an exercise in futility.

Alternative school programs is an umbrella term that refers to different kinds of high school programs that cater to young people who, for one reason or another, are not doing well in traditional programs. There's a common perception that the only kind of alternative high school programs are those that exist for troubled teens, but the truth is that there are many different kinds of programs for different needs. It's true that most of these alternative high schools are specifically designed for troubled teens, but there are also programs that are geared towards helping students that have ADD/ADHD, learning differences/disabilities, and other disorders. There are also alternative schools for teens who are specially gifted in performing specific disciplines like performing arts, sciences, or math. There are also schools that were established specifically to help young people who are gifted with their athletics, where the curriculum is designed to accommodate their rigorous training.

What's wrong with the traditional public school system?

Its not really a matter of what's wrong with the system but rather a matter of what fits. The public school's traditional systems will not always work with all kinds of students. Because students who don't fit with the traditional system still deserve to be educated properly, there are other options available for them. It's not a cheap solution, by any means, but millions of families all over the country will attest to the fact that for some children, alternative high school programs work wonders for their teens.

Why should you consider alternative school programs?

The short answer is that it helps your child succeed where traditional programs have failed. However, there are a few things that parents should really give thought to when considering sending their children to alternative schools. Here are a few of them:

• Student-sensitive - Good alternative high schools focus on the student and how to best help them achieve academic success. They take the time to know the individual needs of students and adjust to these needs accordingly. For example, alternative schools that help students with language-based learning disabilities have programs outside the regular school curriculum that focuses on helping these students discover how they can learn better. For alternative high school programs for troubled teens, the school may adjust to students that run away, abuse substances, or any other problem that they may have. It's all about the students and helping them succeed.
• Small class sizes - Alternative programs for high school students are so successful partly because of the fact that they can focus on each student individually. Some schools have a teacher-student ratio of as low as 1:1 and an average class size of 2. Some can go up to 15 students per class, which is still relatively smaller than 30 to 40 students in most traditional public schools.
• A different, supportive environment - Being in an environment where they're not out of place or misfits can be quite a refreshing change. In alternative high schools, students can be with like-minded individuals. For alternative high schools for troubled teens, students can be supportive of each others and identify with each other's challenges. It takes a tremendous amount of pressure off the shoulders of students. Essentially, it makes school a lot more pleasant and a better learning experience for them.
• Learning Self-Advocacy - One important thing that students learn in alternative schools is self-advocacy. The term refers to an individual's ability to communicate one's own interests, needs, rights, and desires. Students learn that they don't have to settle for just being in the background, barely surviving in a system that obviously doesn't work for them. Students learn at an early age to actively look for what will help them better and what would help them conquer their challenges better.
• Flexibility - Most alternative high school programs let students work towards mastery rather than pressure them to work towards a test. Many alternative high school programs have adopted this system in order to provide as much flexibility as needed for students with different needs. They can progress as fast or as slow as they need.

However, it's very important to note that not all kinds of students thrive well in alternative schools, in the same way that not all students fit into traditional schools. Some teens thrive better in the mainstream environment.