Should You Consider an Alternative (Non-Traditional) Education?

About this article
While many people consider traditional elementary through high school to be mostly about books and tests, there are a number of emerging alternative educational programs that have quite a different perspective of what school should be. This article discusses one of the many systems parents and students may choose from.
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What is Alternative Education

School is just school, right? Not anymore. Today's educational field is no longer limited to traditional schools teaching traditional subjects using traditional methods. There are a number of alternative educational programs available in many communities. While some of these institutions use non-traditional methods, such as providing a casual study environment or a less structured curriculum allowing for personal student investigations, others choose to explore non-traditional subjects, such as zoology or woodworking. Waldorf Education is an example of one institution that does both.

A Waldorf Education

The Waldorf method of education was developed by Rudolf Steiner at the beginning of the 20th century and is based on Steiner's philosophy that people deserve respect as the 'embodiment of their spiritual nature.' Waldorf Education takes a lesson from the Renaissance school of thought and emphasizes well-roundedness, developing genius and great exploration in the maturing student while focusing equally on the body, soul and spirit of the child. At Waldorf, subjects include, but are not limited to:

  • Fables/Legends
  • Bible Stories
  • Norse Myths
  • House Building
  • Gardening
  • Reading, Spelling & Grammar
  • Poetry
  • Fractions
  • Local and World Geography
  • Comparative Zoology
  • Botany
  • Creative Writing
  • Medieval and Renaissance History
  • Jewelry and Glassblowing
  • Music
  • Physics, Astronomy &Physiology
  • Knitting and Basic Weaving
  • Toy Making
  • Woodworking
  • First Aid

While many of these arts are 'out-of-budget' expenses at public schools, they are essentials at Waldorf. Although Waldorf follows the public school curriculum of math, reading and science, it also attempts to bring out each child's special talent. Students will stay with the same teacher and with the same class K-12 which gives them the chance to learn in a familiar and safe environment. This feeling of security actually fosters confident exploration in all scholastic and artistic endeavors. Waldorf students excel in standardized tests and do very well at prestigious colleges. Most importantly, the school allows a strong teacher/parent/child bond to develop over the years, which gives the student a support base for difficult times. Waldorf schools are non-sectarian and non-denominational so that no child is left behind.

Popular Schools

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    1. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Ed.D in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning - Qualitative Research
      • Ed.D in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning - Quantitative Research
      • Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology: Performance Psychology (Qualitative Research)
      • Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology: Performance Psychology (Quantitative Research)
      • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
      • Education Specialist in Teaching and Learning
    Master's
      • M.S. Psychology with an Emphasis in Gerontology
      • M.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Human Factors
      • MA in Curriculum and Instruction
      • MS in Psychology: General Psychology
      • M.A. in Communication with an Emphasis in Education
      • M.Ed. in Secondary Education with an Emphasis in Humanities (ITL)
    Bachelor's
      • BS in Psychology
      • B.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Performance and Sports Psychology
      • Bachelor of Arts in Communications with an Emphasis in Interpersonal Communication and Human Relationships
      • Bachelor: Business Admin
      • BA in Digital Film - Screenwriting
      • Bachelor: Accounting
  • Online Programs Available
    2. Bryant & Stratton College

    Program Options

    Bachelor's
      • BA - General Management
      • BBA Human Resources Management
      • BBA Medical Services Management
      • BS Human & Social Services
      • General Management (GM) - BBA
      • Health Services Administration - BS
    Associate's
      • Criminal Justice Studies - AAS
      • AS - Business
      • AS - Criminal Justice
      • AS - Accounting
      • AS - Human Resources Specialist
      • AS - IT Networking
    Certificate
      • Business Assistant Diploma
      • Criminal Justice and Security Services Diploma
      • Business - AAS
      • Business Assistant - Diploma
      • Criminal Justice and Security Svcs. - Diploma
      • Accounting Assistant Diploma
  • Online Programs Available
    3. Saint Leo University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Doctor of Criminal Justice: Education
      • DBA: Business Administration
      • Education Specialist in Educational Leadership
      • Doctor of Criminal Justice: Homeland Security
    Master's
      • MS: Criminal Justice
      • MS: Criminal Justice - Critical Incident Management
      • MA: Creative Writing - Poetry
      • MAcc: Accounting
      • MBA: Project Management
    Associate's
      • AA: Criminal Justice
      • AA: Business Administration
      • AA: Information Technology
  • Online Programs Available
    4. Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Masters in Psychology
      • Masters in Dispute Resolution
      • Masters in Legal Studies
      • Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis
      • Masters in Clinical Psychology (Licensed Professional Counselor)
      • Masters in Clinical Psychology (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)
  • Online Programs Available
    5. Keiser University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • M.S. - Psychology
      • Master of Business Admin - Leadership
      • Master of Business Admin - Accounting
      • Master of Business Administration - Management (Spanish)
      • Master of Business Administration - International Business (Spanish)
      • Master of Business Admin - Marketing
    Bachelor's
      • B.A. - Legal Studies
      • B.A. - Psychology
      • Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice (Accelerated Track to MACJ)
      • B.A. - Accounting
      • B.S.s - Information Technology Management
      • Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (Accelerated Track to MBA)
    Associate's
      • Associate of Sciences - Information Technology
      • Associate of Arts - Criminal Justice
      • Associate of Arts - Accounting
      • Associate of Arts - Paralegal
      • Associate of Arts - Homeland Security
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  • Online Programs Available
    6. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • DME: Doctor of Music Education
      • LLM: International Legal Studies
      • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction
      • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction/Elementary Education
      • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction/Middle Grades Education
      • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction/Secondary Education
    Bachelor's
      • Bachelor of Science in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
    Certificate
      • CTG: Communication
      • CTG: Criminal Justice
      • CTG: Curriculum and Instruction
      • CTG: Higher Education Administration
      • CTG: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
      • CTG: Psychology
  • Online Programs Available
    7. Purdue Global

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Master of Science - DNP Executive Leader
      • MSN-DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
      • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
      • Master of Science - DNP Path (Doctor of Nursing Practice)
      • Master of Science -DNP Path Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
    Master's
      • M.S. in Health Education
      • MSPY - Forensic Psychology
      • MS in Psychology
      • Master : Business Admin
      • Master: Psychology/General Psychology
      • Master of Public Health
    Bachelor's
      • BS in Communication
      • BS in Criminal Justice - Socially Responsible Leadership
      • Bachelor of Science in Psychology
      • BSOM - Decision Management
      • Bachelor of Business Admin
      • BS in Finance
    Associate's
      • AASBA in Business
      • Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
      • Associate: Business Admin.
      • Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development
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    Certificate
      • Professional Focus + Google Project Management Certificate
      • Certificate in Industrial/Organizational Psychology Graduate
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    8. Full Sail University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Computer Science Masters - Online
      • M.S. - Entertainment Business
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    Bachelor's
      • BS - Sportscasting
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    Certificate
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    9. Penn Foster High School

    Program Options

    High School Diploma
      • HS Diploma
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    10. The Chicago School

    Program Options

    Master's
      • M.A. Psychology
      • M.A. Behavioral Economics
      • M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling
      • M.A. Forensic Psychology
      • M.A. Industrial and Organizational Psychology: ARP Track
      • M.A. International Psychology
    Certificate
      • Suicide and Cyberbullying Prevention Certificate
      • Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning
      • Certificate in Forensic Psychology - M.A. Non-Licensure Track to Licensure Bridge Program
      • Certificate in Behavioral Economics
      • Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
      • Certificate in Organizational Leadership

Featured Schools

Grand Canyon University

  • Ed.D in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning - Qualitative Research
  • M.S. Psychology with an Emphasis in Gerontology
  • BS in Psychology

What is your highest level of education?

Bryant & Stratton College

  • BA - General Management
  • Criminal Justice Studies - AAS
  • Business Assistant Diploma

What is your high school graduation status?

Saint Leo University

  • Doctor of Criminal Justice: Education
  • MS: Criminal Justice
  • AA: Criminal Justice

What is your highest level of education completed?

Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

  • Masters in Psychology
  • Masters in Dispute Resolution
  • Masters in Legal Studies

What is your highest level of education completed?

Keiser University

  • M.S. - Psychology
  • B.A. - Legal Studies
  • Associate of Sciences - Information Technology

What is your highest level of education?

Liberty University

  • DME: Doctor of Music Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
  • CTG: Communication

What is your highest level of education?

Purdue Global

  • Master of Science - DNP Executive Leader
  • M.S. in Health Education
  • BS in Communication
  • AASBA in Business
  • Professional Focus + Google Project Management Certificate

Which subject are you interested in?

Full Sail University

  • Computer Science Masters - Online
  • BS - Sportscasting
  • Computer Science Bachelors with AI Concentration - Online

What is your highest level of education?