<p>Yeah this is a growing trend. This is perhaps a better option for those who do not have magnet schools or cannot afford more expensive distance learning courses from talent search programs. I too was taking nightly college courses when I was 14. I managed to learn calculus and college chemistry before starting high school. In fact I was on track towards getting two AS degrees before high school graduation.
However, I had to go through lots of red tape in my county and make some sacrifices. My local community college made it hard for those under age 16 to take college courses. I had to get permission from my local school district, which I already distrusted in the first place for subjecting me to a mediocre curriculum. I also had to quit some things I really enjoyed such as music.
But in the end I found that it was a great experience to get a chance to explore academic options along with learning material for AP exams. It gave me the confidence to endure trivial high school. Unfortunately I had to stop taking nightly college courses at age 14 since I decided to go to a residential (boarding) magnet high school. I didn't exactly want to go through high school, but I just thought it was a necessary rite of passage. The only real benefit of my decision was finishing high school in three years instead of four. Had I stayed at home with my local district, I would have done exactly what Yan Yan Mao did. Seeing how Mao's sacrifices paid off, I really regret the decision I made three years ago. Oh well, Mao ended up at Harvard at age 18. I had to settle for that other school down the street in Cambridge at age 17.</p>