High school is a time of transition and development, personal growth, and figuring out who you are. Not only that, but students are considering which college to attend or which career to pursue. Everyone is unique, and traditional schooling is not appropriate for all students. Some students do better in an alternative high school than in a typical public high school. Obtaining an alternative diploma offers advantages and disadvantages. Here are a few examples of each.

Advantage: Alternative schools fill a void.

Alternative schools fill a need that standard high schools do not, whether it is a specialized curriculum or catering to an underrepresented demographic. Many students who attend an alternative school began their education at a standard school and transferred for social or academic reasons. Those students’ requirements were not addressed at a typical school for whatever reason, and they discovered what they were searching for, or at least an improvement, at an alternative school. 

Disadvantage: College admissions may be more difficult for alternative school grads.

While many alternative schools aim to provide all of the courses necessary for college admission, other institutions do not provide all of the coursework that colleges will want to see on a high school graduate’s transcript. Alternatively, there may be a lack of direction in alternative schools, so even if all of the classes are available, students will not have taken the necessary ones to be accepted into college. If students desire to attend college after receiving their graduation, they must first determine whether the alternative school provides a full curriculum and develop a four-year plan to ensure that they have completed all of the required coursework on their transcripts.

Advantage: Alternative schools provide more personalized training and learning goals.

Smaller class sizes and fewer students per teacher are common in alternative schools. This provides various advantages for students, both academically and socially. Educators can individualize lesson plans and focus on the needs of each learner if they have more time to devote to each learner. Academic or behavioral concerns are less likely to go unrecognized or disregarded.

Disadvantage: Alternative schools frequently have a negative reputation.

Alternative high schools have an undeserved reputation for recruiting “problem students.” While it is true that some students attend alternative schools due to behavioral or academic concerns, there are many more reasons why parents and students attend these schools. Some students require more time to study English, while others prefer and thrive in a smaller classroom setting, and yet others are ambitious and want to graduate early with an accelerated course plan. In any event, universities will most certainly want to know why a student attended an alternative high school. If you elect to graduate from an alternative school, be prepared to respond in a way that demonstrates that you value your education and determined that an alternative school was the greatest fit for your educational needs.

If a typical high school does not satisfy your academic or social needs, an alternative high school may be a better option. Before making a selection, look at the curriculum options, pay a visit to the school, and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of graduating from an alternative school.

You may discover that attending an alternative high school is the greatest option, or that attending a standard high school provides more of what you desire. Choose the choice that will provide you with the highest quality education and assist you in securing the greatest future.