I think you're right, the issue is not that alternative schools can't teach science, it's that often they don't. I have friends who had an alternative education

I think you're right, the issue is not that alternative schools can't teach science, it's that often they don't. I have friends who had an alternative education that got almost no maths and science education, but I know of other schools where this is not the case. My kids go to fitzroy community school, an alternative school that is science friendly (years 0 to 6) http://www.fcs.vic.edu.au/links.php http://www.fcs.vic.edu.au/links.php previous parents from the school started an alternative high school (years 7 to 12) http://www.alia.vic.edu.au/about.php http://www.alia.vic.edu.au/about.php that has a strong maths science programme. Both schools are very successful, and I think the key aspect is that they have managed to create a culture where the kids accept that they will have to do things that are tough, like run laps around the oval in the rain or grind their way through maths problems to achieve what they want, but this happens in an emotionally supportive environment. The kids seem to work harder physically and mentally than kids at any primary (elementary) school I've seen in this country, but they also really look after each other.