The term alternative schooling has always referred to as non-traditional public and private educational approaches available by choice to parents and students. These programs, range from actual schools to programs within schools to single classrooms, began to progress during the late 1960s and grew from a few secluded innovations in local communities into an educational improvement involving millions of students.

The underlying definition and character of schools of choice have remained relatively unchanged. They include:

Voluntary participation
Caring teachers with high expectations
Customized curriculum/personalized instruction
Safe learning environment

Types of Alternative Schools
By the year 2000 alternative schooling had extended to include a dozen distinctive opportunities to participate in schools of choice.

Alternative or optional schools
Career-theme or technical magnet schools
Charter schools
Contract schools
Open enrollment programs
Residential alternatives
Voucher programs
Home schools
Internet courses and programs
Blending high school with college
Area learning centers

Alternative School Models
Thousands of schools of preference offering alternative schooling have been developed, successfully evaluated, and replicated. Within these schools be present a wide array of approaches to implementing curriculum, instruction, and school governance and management. These recognized models reflect a truly worldwide educational revolution and include:

Schools that focus on unique curricular and instructional approaches
Schools that focus on the needs and interests of students
Schools that focus on career themes and professional relevance
Alternatives that focus on experiential learning
Alternatives that focus on organization, administration, governance, and funding