Alternative education is any type of education that is non-traditional. This includes education for those students who have special needs, or who are handicapped and require education outside the realm of local schools. Special needs students are those who for some reason cannot fully participate in traditional methods of schooling, or who cannot or will not attend traditional schools. They may be physically disabled, mentally handicapped, emotionally challenged, learning disabled, pregnant, or otherwise unable to attend local schools.

Other forms of alternative education are offered by corporations for their employees, specialized courses for an industry, such as trucking school, and schools that put forth their philosophical viewpoints. There are charter schools, home schooling, and schools that are independent from community schools. These offer educational alternatives that people choose because they want a specific type of education, such as military education. Prisons have schools for inmates, and there are alternative schools for juvenile delinquents. Some alternative education is forced, as in the case of incarcerated persons who are told by the court that they must complete their education, even in jail.

Charter schools and home schooling present alternative education outlets for persons who want to either control what their children learn more closely, or for those who want a special emphasis on their child’s education like they can find in a charter school.

Another popular form of alternative education is distance education, using the internet or mail to receive instruction. These online or direct mail courses lead to certification or a diploma upon completion. They can be for a GED or degree programs including Doctorate degrees. Many courses narrowly specialize, like Paralegal, Real Estate, Management, or Business Administration.

A final type of alternative education is the learning achieved when a person is self educated by their life experiences.