Why the Guide?

• Holistic parenting perspective
The only school listing in which academics are but part of the picture- our holistic approach takes into account the education of the whole child, not test scores.

• Greatly expanded homeschooling section
Overview various homeschooling approaches, from unschooling to classical, along with specific resources for each style – including book titles, websites, and local groups.

• Educational philosophy overview
Modern movements in education, including Waldorf, Montessori, Democratic, and others

• More school listings—new alternative schools in New Jersey

Table of Contents

For the curious, here is a peek at the Guide to Alternative Education's TOC:

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHIES
--the predominant (alternative) educational philosophies in use locally
Charter Schools
Cooperative Schools/ Cottage Schools
Democratic Schools/ Free Schools/ Sudbury Model
Eclectic/ Holistic/ Inspired
Montessori
Reggio Emilia
Waldorf/ Rudolf Steiner

HOMESCHOOLING PHILOSOPHIES
--some of the many educational methods in use locally
New Jersey Laws
Charlotte Mason Method
Classical Education
Co-ops/ Learning Communities
Distance Learning
Eclectic
Holistic
Montessori
Religious/Cultural
Unschooling
Waldorf/Waldorf Inspired

GENERAL HOMESCHOOLING RESOURCES
--information for any local homeschooler

CHOOSING A SCHOOL
--suggestions for some of the questions that we'd ask a school

LEGALITIES / VACCINATIONS
--information only, not intended as legal advice

SCHOOL LISTINGS
--Northern NJ (and beyond) schools

EDUCATIONAL GLOSSARY
--definitions for some of the (maybe) new terms