Individual attention is an important feature of alternative education.
Maryland has diverse types of alternative schools in both the public and private education sectors, although the majority of alternative education is typically provided by private schools. Schools for troubled teens, schools with a curriculum based on biblical teaching, an international organization supporting home schoolers, and schools with an alternative education philosophy, such as is found at Waldorf-Steiner schools, are all available in Maryland.
Accelerated Christian Education
There are a significant number of schools across Maryland offering the Bible-based curriculum from the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) organization. The ACE teaching program has been popular since the 1970s, and led a revival in Christian education with high academic standards. The cornerstones of the program are that students learn to take responsibility for their own education, and that they see life from God's point of view. Most of the schools define themselves as Christian, but some of them represent specific denominations, such as Baptist and Mennonite.
The Learning Community International
TLCI, as it is usually referred to, is a private educational organization providing educational programs to home-schooled children in Maryland. Its Individualized Learning Empowerment program aims to support the personal strengths of each learner. Trained staff work with parents and students from kindergarten to year 12 to create a home school curriculum for each child. It is not a school as such, as it has no campus, but it offers an alternative to standard public and private schools. The school was founded in 1984 and is accredited by the Commission for International and Trans-Regional Accreditation, as well as other accrediting bodies.
Waldorf Schools
There are two Waldorf schools in Maryland, one in Baltimore and another in Bethesda. The schools are coeducational and take children from kindergarten to the 12th grade. Waldorf schools are based on the educational philosophy of Rudolph Steiner, who opened his first school in 1919. Waldorf schools place great importance on working with parents. The schools also use teaching methods that stimulate creating thinking and natural curiosity. The schools are licensed by the state and are members of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America.
The Tomorrow Program
The Tomorrow Program is run by Maryland public schools and is available to selected students in grades nine through 12 at Chesapeake, Dundalk, Kenwood, Patapsco and Sparrows Point high schools. The program's aim is to increase the number of students graduating from high school through identifying young people in need of extra support services. Troubled teen students are provided with personal counselling, an individualized study program and career path advice. Student selection is based on recognition of student potential and recommendation by a middle school principal.
Tags: alternative education, Accelerated Christian, Accelerated Christian Education, from kindergarten, private schools, public private