Accelerated Schools

• Alternative schools for gifted teen-agers often have an accelerated curriculum to keep students engaged. The students also learn with other gifted teens, which can help them to develop or maintain good social skills. According to Barbara Gilman, educator and author of "Empowering Gifted Minds: Educational Advocacy That Works," the best place for many gifted students is in a specialized school or classroom where their learning needs and pace can be accommodated. Because many public schools reduced their gifted programs, a private school may be a better option for such students.
  
  

Subject-Focused Schools

• Alternative schools that focus on a particular subject or area of study, often called magnet schools, are increasingly popular. Many of these schools focus on sciences alongside a standard college preparatory curriculum. Others are arts schools, focusing on performing and fine arts for students who hope to have careers in those fields. If a student has an idea of what she wants to do, a magnet school may be an ideal way for her to focus on the subject in which she is most interested while receiving a quality education.
  
  

Schools for Struggling and Special Needs Teens

• Struggling and special needs teens includes those having trouble with their scholastic or social skills, those with psychological or physical issues and those experiencing family problems. Most alternative schools for teens who are struggling offer counseling and tutoring to help students with their individual needs. Some of these schools have a military environment to encourage organization and responsibility, and some have large grounds with a focus on nature to encourage reflection and physical activity. Some alternative schools for struggling teens are religion-oriented. Many of these schools are boarding schools, which can help a student who suffer from hi familial or neighborhood environment.
  
  

Religious Schools

• Schools that are based on a particular faith also are alternative schools, and they are abundant in the United States. Traditional Catholic schools are in most U.S. areas, and schools associated with various Protestant denominations are abundant, too. Jewish schools are in many areas of the country and, increasingly, Muslim schools are an option as well. Other religious schools are in areas in which particular religions predominate. Religious schools often encourage applicants to be of the school's religion. They provide religious instruction besides standard curriculum.