Alternative schools express all kinds of schools that offer experience unlike traditional schools and aim at the success and development of all students by addressing the individual needs and interests of the students with the alternative education models they bring. In this context, alternative schools that offer flexible and innovative programs try to solve the issues that classical schools ignore. The importance that alternative schools give to the individual differences of students increases the quality of the education provided. This study, which aims to reveal the status of these schools, which have a high contribution to education, from the past to the present, aims to make a compilation by examining the text. In line with this purpose, the conceptual definition of alternative schools, historical development, foundations and characteristics of alternative schools are included.