Alternative Learning Place

What sets ALP apart?

Traditionally, schools only deal with some of the cognitive skills and rarely address them directly, instead choosing to focus on subjects and knowledge retention rather than on thinking ability. The ALP is different because it focuses on the thinking skills essential for success in life. Instead of studying subjects and memorizing content, ALP students practice cognitive skills in the context of real-world problems and improve their thinking ability by learning from mistakes and receiving feedback.

People have different interests as far as subjects go, but everyone has a deep need to become proficient at these skills in any area they pursue. A student might have a limited idea about the skills. The goals of any learning program should be focused on enhancing and extending each student's limited experience with these skills, and that's exactly what the ALP does.

Skills that matter

The ALP curricula focus on the cognitive skills that you need to function in the world, the ones that affect how we are perceived and judged by others, the ones that will help students succeed both personally and professionally.

ALP projects are designed to help students practice the skills listed to the right on a daily basis in meaningful contexts, and to improve through self-evaluation and feedback from peers and teachers. Through a cycle of practice, feedback, reflection, and refinement, students get better at all the important skills they need to succeed in life.