As many schools remain partially — or completely — closed, looking for alternatives to traditional schools might be at the top of your to-do list. There are endless possibilities for crafting the perfect school style for every member of your family, whether you choose to enroll kids in in-person classes, fully embrace online learning, elect to enroll in a hybrid of the two styles, or choose your own adventure. 

From learning pods and outdoor school to other options like homeschooling or alternative school, discover school alternatives to help you make an informed and confident choice for your family. 


1. Research alternative schools and schooling options

You can start your approach to school alternatives with a quick Google search. Research is the key to making informed decisions about school choices and alternative ways to educate your family. 

When people investigate alternative schools, they are typically referred to schools designed to educate students who might struggle in regular school — sometimes because of behavior, learning differences, or other concerns. An alternative school may involve a range of different educational settings other than the typical school. Many alternative schools have low student-to-faculty ratios and have resources to address complex needs. 

Other schools — like charter, magnet, and specialized schools — might have programs that are built around a student’s passions or interests. These alternative schools can help children fall in love with learning or provide a different style of learning that might mesh with a child’s needs and wants. 


2. Supplement learning with extracurricular activities

Whether your child’s school is online or in-person, you can supplement their day with extracurricular activities like virtual camps, classes, and tutoring. Extracurriculars allow students to pursue interests outside of a standardized academic context. When your family isn’t ready to start school in person this year, extracurricular activities can supplement the social aspect of school in an exciting way! 

Discover supplemental learning opportunities on the Sawyer Marketplace. With thousands of online classes to choose from — from circus arts and breakdancing to pottery and live-action roleplay — your family is sure to find one they’ll love. Plus, virtual classes are a wonderful way to bring friendship fun into a difficult school year where socializing might be limited by COVID-19 restrictions. 

3. Form a pandemic learning pod or microschool

“Pods”, “pandemic pods”, “Micro-schools”, and “nano-schools” are all ways to refer to a small group of students — typically consisting of 3 to 10 kids — who join a group to learn outside of a traditional classroom. Pods are gaining popularity due to the pandemic, and parents are choosing pods for their children to foster socialization and group learning.

Pods have a significant amount of flexibility. Parents can pursue pod options that are self-directed or ones that provide learning support. If you’re looking to un-enroll your child from school, a self-directed pod might be right for you. If your child is still in school — at a distance or in-person — a learning support pod can provide enrichment to enhance their school experience. 

Discover everything you need to know about learning pods or explore pod learning options for your children.

4. Research homeschooling as an option for your family

Homeschooling is not a new concept — but it might feel new and unfamiliar to your family. According to NPR, many parents are drawn to homeschooling because it allows their children to learn values from trusted members of their family. Homeschooling also helps remove peer pressure from a child’s everyday life. If you’re concerned about a school environment or have a desire to teach your children, homeschooling can be a great option! 

There are thousands of resources to help parents become successful homeschool instructors — as well as many programs that weave socialization and specialized subjects into a homeschool curriculum. 

5. Embrace nature and take school outside

In a world where screentime is constantly increasing, some parents are enrolling their children in outdoor school. Options like preschools in nature, outdoor pre-k, and forest kindergartens are becoming options in communities across the United States. Outdoor education has countless benefits, like more unstructured playtime and exposure to complex ecological systems that can inspire children’s imaginations and interests. 

If you aren’t sure if outdoor school is right for your family, consider booking an outdoor class. Experiencing and learning outside is a great alternative to traditional learning in classrooms. 

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