A Phenomenological Study on the Early Experience of Establishing an Alternative School

The purpose of this study is to examine the initial experience of establishing an alternative school and to seek a new direction of practice for the establishment of an alternative school. In order to achieve this research purpose, in-depth interviews were conducted with five founders who established an alternative school, and using Colaizzi's analysis method, they were classified into four categories: 'Educational Community Pursuing Happiness and Value of Life', 'passion and Commitment of the Educational Community', 'Change and Growth through Education', and 'Future Operational Tasks of Alternative Schools'. Based on this, the main conclusions are as follows. First, the establishment and operation of alternative schools must faithfully play a role as an educational community in order to realize education that pursues the values of students' happiness and life. Second, the establishment and operation of alternative schools should be alternative education in which the three actors of teachers, students, and parents are formed through solidarity and cooperation. Third, for the establishment and operation of alternative schools, it is necessary to conduct a deep search for educational philosophy and values and innovation in the curriculum. Fourth, various educational programs must be provided to continuously provide financial support and manpower, voluntary support from private cooperation and local communities, transparent communication and sharing of success stories, and to enhance parents' understanding of alternative education. This study is meaningful in that it analyzes in-depth the difficulties and processes that arise in establishing and operating alternative schools and the founder's efforts on important requirements for establishing them, and suggests a new direction for the establishment and operation of alternative schools in the future.