What is an Alternative High School
The alternative high school can play many roles within a school district. There are also a large number of alternative high schools available through private and charter school programs. Alternative schools are appropriate for any student, but are particularly successful with students who would be considered "At Risk" due to socio-economic status, pregnancy, homelessness, poor family or home conditions, proven non-success in traditional schools or a history of substance abuse.

Alternative high schools typically have more rigid discipline and offer these students support with firm guidelines and rules while allowing them to form closer relationships with teachers and administrators within the school. The alternative high school is smaller overall and has smaller classes. This gives the teacher more time to spend with each student and keeps each individual student on the radar of the classroom. It's hard to fade to the background in a class of ten.

Who Benefits From Alternative High Schools
The alternative high school for at-risk students does not often offer the higher level courses that a larger high school might. There are few college level, or AP courses offered and the students in an alternative high school are there for a second chance most often. This leaves many of them with a renewed sense of work ethic, but reduced GPAs. Students driven to attend prestigious universities and take honors or advanced courses are not the standard fare of the alternative high school.

Instead it is the students who can't or choose not to compete in the environment in which the high-achieving students thrive who benefit from the alternative high school. Many special education students who function well without direct support also benefit strongly from the smaller classes and more relationship-driven classes. Self motivated students can thrive anywhere, but alternative high schools suit those who need a bit of extra assistance and instruction to reach their goals.