Alternative education is an approach to education with a philosophy and style which differs from that of mainstream education. There are a number of alternative forms of education, geared at a wide variety of students, and many nations have some option available for people who want it, especially in urban areas. Some people refer to this type of education as “nontraditional education,” to emphasize the fact that it does not use traditional practices, and to avoid bringing up the stigma which some people associate with “alternative.”