alternative school

noun

1. any public or private school having a special curriculum, especially an elementary or secondary school offering a more flexible program of study than a traditional school.

Word History and Origins

Origin of alternative school¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

At the time of the closure the school's board of governors said it would be "supporting families in securing alternative school places in Oxfordshire".

From BBC

He said the family would now have to go on the waiting list for an alternative school place and see what happened.

From BBC

Catherine Faulks, lead member for family and children's services at RBKC, said children will have alternative school places "secured as swiftly and smoothly as possible" if the primary school closes.

From BBC

The council said it had to use non-accredited providers "from time to time" due to an increase in demand for alternative school places.

From BBC

It all came together in an unexpected way to create a mini-farm garden retreat that also provided hands-on lessons in landscaping for their inquisitive 8-year-old son, Early, whose alternative school closed in the first weeks of the pandemic shutdown.

From Los Angeles Times