Education

The Mainstream Approach

Sometimes called the “transmission model”, the average school today has a set curriculum based on age and measures progress based on a variety of typically national standards. While this may still be the most viable option for the vast majority of families, explore alternatives if you have the freedom to. Some food for thought:

The mainstream education system was created during the industrial revolution, and so puts an emphasis on following instructions, asking for permission, and learning to memorize knowledge — all key traits for someone entering the industrial factory workforce. These skill sets are not only irrelevant in the coming job landscape — one with constant google access — but potentially hindering. The rising generation will enter a job landscape where anything that can be automated, will be. Their value, therefore, will come from their ability to think critically, get creative, and run without permission.

👔 To explore

Questions to ask while picking schools

Best charter schools in the US

Best public elementary school in the US

Best public middle schools in the US

Best public high schools in the US

Best private elementary schools in the US

Best private middle/high schools in the US

Alternative-Philosophy Schools

These schools focus on cultivating lifelong love for learning through different solutions /environments than your average school.

👣To explore

Montessori Schools

Waldorf Schools

Reggio Emilia

Sudbury Schools

Fusion Academy

Learner-Centered Schools

Bank Street

Problem-Based Learning

DaVinci Schools

Method Schools

Experiential schools like Zoo School, Museum School, Mountain School

Clairemont Elementary School

Schools with Quiet Time programs

Traveling schools like THINK, Traveling School #1 or Traveling School # 2

Compass Charter School

e3 Civic High

Kipp Schools

Quest to Learn

STEM schools

Acton Academies

Coding Academies

Schools as Startups

The lack of great education options has drawn attention from tech and business titans. Now, education startups are raising money from venture capitalists to try to produce better education as their product, using technology at their core.

🚀 To explore

Alt School

hopefully many more to come!

Homeschooling

Whether you want to follow a laid out curriculum, do small group homeschooling with local families, or travel the world and learn together, homeschooling is becoming a viable option for many families.

🏡 To explore

Data from recent studies — synopses of the findings here and here.

This list of elite colleges that now admit homeschooled kids

John Holt

Quantum Camp

The Creative Curriculum

Oakmeadow.com

Simply Charlotte Mason

TJed

Well Trained Mind

Sonlight

Classical Conversations

This homeschooling FAQ

K12 Tuition-Free Online Public Schools (CA)

Online Courses

A lot of great information can now be learned online. Use these as a complement to formal school or homeschooling, or potentially even as a replacement.

💻 To explore

Outschool

Khan Academy

Coursera

Udacity

EdX

The Open Learning Initiative

Saylor.org

Make School

Youtube Edu

WikiVersity

Class Central

No Excuse List

TED-Ed

Stanford University courses online

Future Learn

How Stuff Works

Codecademy

MindValley Academy

Memrise