Alternative K-12 Education - What's Out There?

[Julie Marquez]

We've all been thinking about the value of college education as tuition rises, wondering if the time spent and outcome is worth it. There are trades schools, a plethora of online courses, and as most investors know, the school of hard knocks, internships and jobs, and hands on experience. Depending on your chosen career path, there are dozens of new opportunities to learn these days.

What about K-12 education alternatives? Why can't a 14 year old get their feet wet in real estate and work in the field? Do you think back on your high school career and wonder if all that history homework and tests were really worth it and valuable to your success today? I'm not arguing against the core skills or reading, writing, and math, but the extra 1000 hours a year sitting in a classroom listening to a teacher lecture, and even more hours at home doing homework during childhood. Just to take a test and forget the next day.

I contribute most of my success as a real estate investor to my dad and family, and the experience spent outside of the classroom. Realizing this, I have been looking for alternative schools for my 4 and 6 year old children. This brought us to Acton Academy, a real world solution to the apathy that plagues todays traditional education. The priority of the learners is to build a healthy civilization, set their own goals, and find their passions. The focus is Socratic discussions, respectful disagreements, personal responsibility, servant leadership, and character building. They call it learner driven, and it's amazing how capable children are when we give them the trust they deserve. Seth Godin, Gary V, and our family are all huge fans.

1. Those with children that are looking for alternatives to tradition K-12 education, what are you doing? I know there is homeschooling, charter schools, microschools, and other opportunities depending on the state.

2. Those who are successful real estate investors, when you look back on your primary education, what do you contribute to you success and what would you change? What would an ideal primary education look like?

[Bruce Woodruff]

I agree. In a lot of cases and for many people, formal education is highly over-rated and I daresay even wasted. It's good that many areas have the alternative for families to choose Charter Schools.

Way past time to bring back Woodshop, Home Economics, and Motor Shop.

Add to these other options like you mention.....