Terms like Montessori, unschooling, and worldschooling may be familiar, but it can be tough to keep track of the many different types of alternative education.
6 types of alternative education
1. Worldschooling
Traveler and writer Eli Gerzon coined the term “worldschooling” to describe a form of experiential learning that involves traveling around the world, a fairly literal take on the saying that the world is a classroom. The concept may sound intimidating, but some families have become well known for participating in this type of alternative schooling.
Teachers cannot simply move their classrooms around the globe, but educational tours offer programs that take students to numerous countries. A more accessible version of this practice could be to incorporate virtual field trips and guest speakers as a way to bring the world into your classroom.
Benefits of worldschooling
- Exposes children to different cultures and provides a global perspective not limited by local beliefs
- Allows students to learn through experiences and surroundings
- Offers a hands-on approach and flexible curriculum tailored to individual needs
2. Unschooling
Unschooling is an alternative learning method practiced by some worldschoolers and homeschoolers, but it is accessible to anyone. The concept is simple: Students decide what to learn and when to learn it, with the hope that this freedom fosters motivation.
Interestingly, unschooling can also be a school’s philosophy. One of the most popular free schools is Summerhill, a boarding school established in England in 1921 for children 11 years or older. The school follows Scottish writer A.S. Neil’s belief that children should learn and discover on their own, free of adult authority. Summerhill offers many classes, though attendance is not required, and encourages play, socialization, and creativity.
Free schools often feature democratic classrooms and unstructured time. A study by Matt Huston and Gina Riley found that most unschooled students who attended college reported no significant academic difficulties and expressed increased motivation.
In traditional classrooms, lesson plans cannot disappear entirely, but offering a unit with less structure and more student choice can be a way to experiment.
Benefits of unschooling
- Encourages positive attitudes toward learning and emphasizes life skills
- Provides flexibility and time for community engagement
- Some students claim that unschooling causes less stress compared to traditional settings
3. Outdoor education
Outdoor education programs, like Pathfinder Outdoor Education and the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, offer hands-on, nature-based learning. Some teach survival skills or academic subjects in the woods, using the outdoors as the classroom.
Schools that prefer to stay on campus can still incorporate outdoor education. Ropes courses for team building and outdoor lessons are increasingly common.
Benefits of outdoor education
- Promotes teamwork, exercise, and reduces sedentary activities
- Builds critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Fosters independence and self-directed learning
Research shows that even a single outdoor class can boost engagement in subsequent lessons.
4. Online and virtual learning
Benefits of virtual learning
- Provides cost-effective, accessible options
- Improves technology skills and prepares students for the future
- Offers customization and personalized learning opportunities
- Can make learning fun, especially for younger students
5. Montessori
Montessori, developed by Maria Montessori over a century ago, emphasizes independence and minimizes adult control. Classrooms feature accessible materials and teachers who act as guides rather than instructors. A typical day includes an uninterrupted work cycle in which students choose tasks, use self‑correcting, hands‑on materials, and receive brief, targeted lessons as needed.
Benefits of the Montessori method
- Fosters cooperation and independence
- Encourages real-world and exploratory learning
- Focuses on developmental stages for individualized instruction
6. Waldorf
Benefits of the Waldorf method
- Provides age-appropriate, experiential learning
- Encourages student voice in education
- Offers integrated curriculum for cross-subject connections
Bringing these alternative education examples into the classroom
Not all these approaches will appeal to every educator or be feasible. However, learning about them expands instructional options and sparks ideas for integrating new practices. Trying one method might not succeed—but it could lead to a breakthrough that becomes a lasting part of the curriculum.
Exploring these strategies can help educators branch out and incorporate elements of alternative schooling into lessons, creating fresh and engaging experiences for students.
This article was adapted from a blog post initially developed by the education technology company Classcraft, which was acquired by HMH in 2023. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of HMH.
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