Early Graduation & Gap Year

Here’s the deal. I’m completely miserable in high school. I feel like I’m exausted by the idea if it anymore. Im a 17 year old junior and at this point I can’t imagine 9 more months of high school.

I go to a very small school and I’ve been there my entire life. I am taking the highest level Math, English, and Science courses offered at my school. This year I am taking Pre-Calc, Honors English 11, and Lab Physics(H). Next year, my current scheduling plan is to take AP English 12, AP Gov, no science, and a weighted Calculas course that is offered through PIT, along with other classes. I’ve been in the high school musical every year, I participate in multiple clubs, am secretary of FBLA, was V.P. of my sophmore class, am part of the “Gifted” program at my school, and am on yearbook staff. I already have all of the honors credits needed to graduate with Highest Honors. I plan on a career in Film Production. I want to go to a 4 year college to get a BFA in film production. My ultimate goal it to be able to freely produce/direct film and tv.

Here’s what I propose.

I need three more credits to graduate. I need English, Social Studies(economics), and a Math course. I also need a semester of gym which shouldn’t be a problem with just doing my “hours”, many other students do it. I was thinking of summer after my junior year enrolling in those classes I still need at my local community college and getting those to transfer to my high school. I could get my diploma and graduate before my senior year kicks off. Instead of going to college early, I would work and save money for college, dedicate a large amount of my time to my own personal projects to help with my creative portfolio, and travel. I have a strong entrepreneurial sense and a good work ethic. I’m over high school. I would still be able to work on my SAT scores and be applying to college at the same time as my class. I’d still be living here so being around my friends wouldn’t really be that large of an issue. I obviously wouldn’t be able to graduate with my class, wouldn’t be able to make the typical senior year memories. In the grand scheme of things, how much do those things matter? Would I regret my decision? Are there factors I’m not thinking of? How would this effect the way colleges look at me? Is there a better option like work release or dual enrollment?

Im very stressed but I just can’t seem to let this idea go. Help.

What is it about high school that makes you so unhappy?

Also, you talk about working and saving money for college during the gap year. Would you be able to live at home. Would your parents ask you to help out at home if you did?

Honestly, if there are any essential AP courses left, I would suggest you do those in senior year. An AP class that fulfills a requirement is usually much more useful than saving up money, only to have to do that class in college. However, if the only classes left for AP are fluff classes, I don’t see why not.