Alternative Schools: are they all advantages for families and children?

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Surely, those of you who are parents have ever heard the concept of alternative school and you even had some of them in mind to take your children. But, are they really all advantages and do they really aspire to get a different education?

For about a couple of years, the number of educational centers that have opened their doors to families with a different philosophy based on respecting the rhythm of children, promoting their independence and autonomy and promoting emotional education, creativity and decision-making has only grown. In 2013, there were more than 471 nursery schools in Spain. And it has only increased.

Before talking about what for me are the advantages and disadvantages of alternative schools, I would like to briefly talk to you about some of the types of centers that we can find under that term:

-Montessori Schools: The most important thing is the philosophy that María Montessori left: "Students are the protagonists of the entire learning process." Teachers and educators become guides who accompany the children. In this way they offer them opportunities to choose what they want to do, to experiment and to discover. Autonomy and independence are two of the objectives of these centers.

-Free Schools: These centers are not adapted to any specific methodology or pedagogy, but are based on moving the concept of submission away from the classroom. That is, in not direct student learning being the teachers as in the Montessori Schools, companions and guides. They also take into account the rhythm of each child and of course their freedom (without removing responsibility and commitment).

-Waldorf Schools: His philosophy is based on not having textbooks, tests, or homework. Many of these centers have an inclusive method for families and the materials of these schools are their own and exclusive. They seek to motivate students from an early age and for this they have few children per classroom.

-Forest Schools: This innovative project is based on the schools of the mountains of Central Europe and Northern Europe. Basically, they are schools in the open air and in nature where children are also the protagonists of their own learning. Usually, many excursions are made to educate students about respecting animals and the environment. In addition, they greatly promote free play in childhood, teamwork, creativity and autonomy.

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We must not forget about the mothers day, nor of the conscious parenting and parenting groups which are booming in our country and are gaining strength and being a clear alternative for parents to a traditional school.

Now, among all these alternative pedagogies and innovation and discovery, the time has come to answer the question that I left in the classroom at the beginning of the post: are they all advantages or are there any drawbacks?

Advantages of Alternative Schools

Respect for children's rhythms

In all the schools that I have mentioned before, they strictly respect the rhythm of each child. There is no pressure, pressure or stress. But this is possible because its ratio is notably lower than in public educational centers. In this way, educators and teachers in alternative schools can focus on that concept because they do not have to be aware of fifteen children at a time and it is all easier. It is also true that the number of students per class in public education is excessively high for a single professional in the class.


No homework, no exams, no textbooks

For me, one of the bases of educational change is precisely the elimination of exams (which can be supplemented with detailed reports). And then obviously, taking homework and textbooks away from the students. There are hundreds of ways to learn other than through homework and exercises. This philosophy is very much taken into account by Waldorf Education with its students.

Students are the protagonists of their learning

All the alternative schools that I have mentioned before agree on one thing: in leaving aside a submissive teaching and learning. These centers opt for the accompaniment of teachers and educators, leaving aside the concept of acquiring knowledge in a targeted way. In this way, children and young people have opportunities to experiment, to make mistakes (and be the ones who realize it), to discover and above all to learn by doing.

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Disadvantages of Alternative Schools

Excessively exorbitant price

I have acquaintances with children who have thought about enrolling their children in Forestry, Montessori and Waldorf schools. But finally, they have scrapped the idea for something quite important: the price. I understand that they are private centers, that they have their own teaching materials, that they are innovative, but we are talking about an amount per month that many families cannot afford it no matter how hard they try or how much they save.

They are not for all children or for all families

Basically for the reason I mentioned before: the price. Most of us know that the Spanish educational system has been outdated for a long time and that it needs a good facelift. Although I defend that another education is possible, I do not believe that opening centers and more centers of private alternative pedagogies be the solution to start changing things. Currently (and I hope it continues), we have some fantastic public schools that are incredibly underutilized. This is where everything should be transformed.

Too much exclusivity can lead to educational elitism

The Montessori and Waldorf alternative schools are overly exclusive. I share his philosophy of refusing homework, exams and textbooks, but you also have to educate in humility and for life. Some of these centers forget these concepts and are carried away by prestige and fame. In this way, the students of these centers can discriminate against other classmates and even reject them.

I would like you to tell me in the comments if you have had any experience in alternative schools with your children or as professionals. What advantages and disadvantages do you see in these centers? I'd love to read your thoughts on it!


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