First, alternative schools are 100% part of the "system", and are often have a far more "institutionalized" feel than their mainstream counterparts. Second, in

First, alternative schools are 100% part of the "system", and are often have a far more "institutionalized" feel than their mainstream counterparts. Second, in most districts, alternative schools really are a strictly inferior experience for students who do not have special intellectual, behavioral, or emotional needs. I'm sure there are exceptions, but this is definitely the rule. E.g., how many alternative schools offer Calc BC? Alternative schools are great, but in the case parent described, they're probably the strictly inferior option.