Alternative Education Resource Organization (AERO)

The Alternative Education Resource Organization (AERO) was founded in 1989 by Jerry Mintz. AERO is a branch of the School of Living, a non-profit organization founded in 1934 by Ralph Borsodi. AERO's goal is to advance student-driven, learner-centered approaches to education. AERO is considered by many to be the primary hub of communications and support for educational alternatives around the world. Education Alternatives include, but are not limited to, Montessori, Waldorf (Steiner), Choice, Democratic, Homeschool, Open, Charter, Free, Sudbury, Holistic, Virtual, Magnet, Early Childhood, Reggio Emilia, Indigo, Krishnamurti, Quaker, Libertarian, Independent, Progressive, Community, Cooperative, and Unschooling. One of AERO's areas of expertise is democratic process and democratic education, but equally important is the networking of all forms of educational alternatives. It is through our work and mission that we hope to create an education revolution.

AERO's mission is to help create an education revolution to make student-centered alternatives available to everyone.

Towards this end, AERO provides information, resources and guidance to families, schools and organizations regarding their educational choices. AERO disseminates information internationally on topics such as: homeschooling, public and private alternative schools, and charter schools. AERO's long-term goal is to become a more effective catalyst for educational change by providing books, magazines, conferences, online courses, consultations, support groups, and organizational information and seminars in the field of alternative education.

AERO's current programs and services include:

Publication and distribution of Education Revolution Magazine
Hosting Annual Alternative Education Conference
Direction of the Start a School Program
On-site, phone, and e-mail consultations to parents and educators around the world.
Maintenance of a database of over 13,000 educational alternatives in the US and around the world.
Clearinghouse for information on jobs, internships and conferences about alternative education.
Bi-Weekly publication of the Education Revolution E-Newsletter
A library of books & dvds catalogued on the AERO web site
A compilation of links and resources on the diverse forms of educational alternatives.
Host of multiple list serves on alternative education.