<p>Are you interested in a holistic approach to education? Less concerned with college matriculation statistics? Our familys BS search was about finding a nurturing, stimulating, flexible, and preferably nontraditional school environment, rather than seeking national rank in a sport, maximum GPA or enhanced chances for an Ivy League acceptance.</p>
<p>I am in no way dissing the acronym schools or their students; I have great respect for them and my children included some of them in their applications. But I am happy that both my kids ended up at lesser ranked schools which fit their needs and learning styles much better.
Here are a couple of links that may be of interest to students and families leaning towards the so-called Hidden Gems. Not all Hidden Gems espouse alternative education, but you will perhaps find some familiar names on these web pages.</p>
<p>You can find a list of member schools of the Independent Curriculum Group at [Independent</a> Curriculum Group | Members](<a href=“http://www.independentcurriculum.org/index.php/icg/members/]Independent”>http://www.independentcurriculum.org/index.php/icg/members/). The list includes both day and boarding schools. Of course there are other nontraditional schools that are not part of this organization.</p>
<p>Another interesting project is the Progressive Education Laboratory which is a two year fellowship (a training year followed by an internship) designed to give young people who wish to become teachers an understanding of the fundamentals of progressive theory while learning from their experiences at four different progressive schools. Learn more about it and its four member schools at [Progressive</a> Education Lab](<a href=“http://www.progressiveeducationlab.org/]Progressive”>http://www.progressiveeducationlab.org/).</p>