This report examines some of the many varieties of alternatives now available, their problems and pitfalls, and their hopes for the future. After defining alternative schools, the report discusses the rationale for having alternatives and then summarizes the range of alternatives available at both the elementary and secondary levels. Separate chapters are devoted to open plan schools; minischools; Elementary alternatives; dropout schools; schools for slow learners, superior students, and for those students with other special problems; schools for racial or ethnic groups; and open schools for all students. Throughout the report descriptions of existing alternative programs in various parts of the country are presented. Chapters at the end of the report present advice on starting an alternative school, evaluating the school and its students, and on the financing and costs of an alternative school program. A 42-item annotated bibliography is included. (DN)