Alternative School Options - Columbus, OH
Are you looking for an alternative school for your child(ren)? In your search for an alternative school, what is most important to you?
Better, more positive environment?
Personalized learning?
More technical / real life / project-based learning?
Alternative to the standardized tests and lectures in our school system?
Religious alternative for your child?
Curriculum geared toward success for the innovation age?
Fortunately, you are not the only one and there are a growing number of options for parents looking for an alternative option to the public schools system. In addition to Acton Academy Columbus, let’s go through the various options first:
Public (District) schools: There is no shortage of public schools in the Columbus suburbs. As with all public schools, there is a ranking system, almost solely based on standardized scores. If this is important to you, then Olentangy, Dublin, and Upper Arlington schools are ranked amongst the highest in Ohio.
STEM / STEAM Public Schools: In order to be classified as a STEM / STEAM school, certain criteria must be met. Around Central Ohio, only four elementary schools have met the criteria: Chillicothe Primary (Chillicothe), Herbert Mills Elementary (Reynoldsburg), Summit Road Elementary (Reynoldsburg), and Winchester Trail Elementary (Canal Winchester). Acton Academy Columbus is a project / STEM based school.
Online Community Schools / E-Schools: Online schools are an alternative form of education where a student receives guidance and enrolls in classes purely online. These are also public, tuition-free schools. Great River Connections Academy is a well known option that is based around Columbus. Other E-schools in Ohio can be found here.
Chartered (Community) Schools: These Charter schools are independently operated, tuition-free public schools that are not part of a school district. Some of the well known community schools in Ohio include Horizon Science Academy and Capital High School. There are many others that you can find here.
Chartered Nonpublic Schools: These schools hold a charter from the State of Ohio and maintain compliance with the Operating Standards for Ohio’s schools. These schools do require families to pay tuition though tuition aid may be available. Columbus Academy (Gahanna) falls into this category. Other Chartered Nonpublic schools are listed here.
Non-Chartered Schools: These are nonpublic schools that, due to religious beliefs, choose not to be chartered. In the State of Ohio, there are over 400 schools that fall in this designation.
Homeschools / Unschooling: In Ohio, these are private schools that are not-chartered but not necessarily due to religious purposes. There is also no limit to the number of students in Ohio that can go to a “Homeschool”. The homeschool may actually be based out of a parent’s home or may be in a commercial or other residential area. The key here is that they are not forced to adhere to the curriculum that is placed upon public or chartered schools in Ohio. It allows these schools to be nimble and flexible and develop a curriculum that is truly valuable to a child’s future. Homeschools often incorporate projects, field trips, and online education in their approach. Acton Academy Columbus is considered a homeschool.
Unschooling is a loose term for parents looking to educate children in a non-traditional form. Parents looking to unschool believe that learning happens all day, every day. It is not bound by four walls as in a traditional school system. Often times, parents who homeschool are motivated by the principles of Unschooling. If you’re looking to learn more about the principles of Unschooling, check out Unschooling Rules by Clark Aldrich.