If any child attends upon instruction elsewhere than in a public school such instruction shall be in a school which conforms to the minimum standards prescribed by the director of education and workforce. The hours and term of attendance exacted shall be equivalent to the hours and term of attendance required of children in the public schools of the district. This section does not require a child to attend a high school instead of a vocational, commercial, or other special type of school, provided the instruction therein is for a term and for hours equivalent to those of the high school, and provided the child’s attendance at such school will not interfere with a continuous program of education for the child to the age of sixteen.