Alternative Family Education School

I love any type of schooling that does not submit kids to standardized testing.
--Submitted by a parent

Our family joined AFE in 2004. Our three children enjoy the classes! AFE's emphasis is on theater, and they also offer plenty of opportunity to participate in science, social studies, art, sports, you name it, depending on input from families and the teachers' own interest. The teachers support whatever intensity and structure or unschooling atmosphere families want to create for themselves, and go far above and beyond what they are paid for. Parents participate by assisting in classes, holding workshops and classes, and helping out with all the volunteer jobs. We are a great community! And our kids love it, especially now that AFE has its own campus (as part of the Branciforte Small Schools campus), and they get to socialize with their friends, join the games group, participate in the creation of a yearbook ...
--Submitted by Dorothee Ledbetter, a parent

This is a homeschool program through the city school district that has been going for quite a while. My child has been there for two years and is just feeling like he's getting to know people. There's sort of an insider group of people who have been there longer and some aren't that friendly and some are. I as a parent have found very little support among other parents there. They do have classes for the students, which seem somewhat to be randomly chosen by what the teachers feel like teaching--there is very little parent input as to subject matter. They have a farely good library.
--Submitted by a parent

Homeschool program that offers district resources, such as teachers, enrichment classes, and a wonderful resource center. AFE makes the homeschooling family feel part of a rich learning community. Helpful for the student who needs independent study. Also helpful for new homeschoolers.
--Submitted by a parent

The school moved twice in 3 years and could not tell the families enrolled what would be offered to the children until well into the school year, like mid-October! The school district does not, for one, understand what the families enrolled in the program really want, nor does the district want the program to succeed. On a positive note, the teachers were a pleasure to work with.
--Submitted by a parent

This is an outstanding option for parents who have the time and the will to educate their own children. There is plenty of support within the Resource center, through the teachers and from other parents.
--Submitted by a parent