<p>I'll try to make this as short as possible:
I'm a high school student at a bad school. I resent almost everything there, from the teachers to the curriculum to the uncomfortable (understatement) chairs. I've been aggravated by the school and my personal life over the last few years and I can no longer tolerate it- I've given up. I still want to learn but I know I can't make myself do the work that's given to me by [removed rant] a person I can't respect. I've failed a few classes this year because of this.
My parents would like me to just bend over and do the work because in the end it's going to be beneficial to me. Most people can do this but at this point in my life I can't. I've concluded that I need change. I'm a big computer geek and I teach myself everything I need and want to know. I would LOVE to be able to just stay at home and complete online technology courses like college-aged people do. I realize this is probably not possible today for whatever reason but I'd still like to ask:
How can I make the most out of my high school education if I hate high school itself? Can I succeed using alternative methods? Thanks!</p>
<p>What year are you in high school? I was in the exact same situation as you, and I transferred into Keystone National High School. My old high school was not only extremely poor in quality but emotionally straining for me to attend because of the poor quality. PM me if you have questions about Keystone. Your parents may be reluctant, but through CC I was able to help another student transfer.</p>
<p>Thanks for posting! I’m in my Sophomore year at a small school in the Worcester, MA area (not city). I’m glad someone else understands! I just looked at the website for Keystone National High School and it seems to be EXACTLY what I’m looking for! It’ll be tough to try and get my parents to believe I’ll actually do the work because of the laziness I’m already showing but I figure that it’s my life and if I believe I can do it, I should be given a fair chance, right? Thanks a lot :)</p>
<p>I’m thinking this is too expensive for my parents but I haven’t seen prices yet… any way to get financial aid for this? As of right now my parents pay nothing for my education and they seem to like that quite a bit… :(</p>
<p>Have you considered doing dual enrollment at a local community or state college? In MA, you may (depends on funding) qualify for 1 free course a semester (and possibly one during the summer). Additionally, you could pay to take more courses. The cost may be cheaper than Keystone. Meanwhile you are receiving college credit.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>You can pay for it yourself. I work about 15 hours a week at a part time job and have no trouble paying for the school even at minimum wage. It’s about $3000 per year - depending on the classes you choose - and they have an interest, fee free payment plan so that you can pay over nine months.</p>
<p>Hmmm… I don’t know what I have to enroll in in order to receive a full high school education and receive a diploma. The idea is to just sit at home in front of the computer and complete assignments that your courses require, right? I assume there are courses that are required to receive a diploma… Would it be wise to just meet with a school guidance counselor to discuss what I should enroll in?</p>
<p>@hmschparent
I think what you’re suggesting is that I still go to my crappy high school and just give myself more work. I’m looking for something that would replace high school, like Keystone. Thanks for the suggestion (had no idea that was probably offered… Becker college is in walking distance from my house…) but I think an online school is better for me.</p>
<p>AngryWithSociety</p>
<p>You live in a state which is historically known for schooling, man. </p>
<p>You need to really look around for an online high school program over where you live. Personally, I would be shocked if there wasn’t one. </p>
<p>Here is an example of what I am speaking of, it is in Utah, though…</p>
<p><a href=“http://ce.byu.edu/is/site/programs/hstrans.cfm[/url]”>BYU - Division of Continuing Education;
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<p>You will need a certain number of credits in each subject area, yes. The requirements for the diploma are right on the web page.</p>
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<p>Well, the ideal is that you learn everything, of course.</p>
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<p>Yes, and it would be even wiser to also look over the requirements yourself.</p>
<p>My daughter homeschools (she has never been to school). She is also dual enrolled at the community college. You do not need to go to high school to take courses at a college. You can teach yourself some subjects and learn other courses through a college. In a couple of years you could have an AA degree and transfer to another college.</p>
<p>i’m homeschooled and taught myself entirely through high school (i just prefer choosing my own curriculum) - and it cost virtually NOTHING. i didn’t pay for “online schools”, which may be a problem for you if financial aid is an issue. i bought my books on ebay, and i use MIT Open Courseware (free), Carnegie Mellon Open Courseware (alas, free!), and Google. 
I don’t receive grades or have a GPA, but I’m good at evaluating myself. If you would prefer grades, however, just make sure you get books with answer keys and grade yourself. Also, you could consider taking AP courses (they have so many courses, but i think they do cost). </p>
<p>Since you’re a sophomore, you would only have two years to plan:</p>
<p>usual high school course options</p>
<p>Math:
algebra 1
geometry
algebra 2
trigonometry
precalculus
calculus</p>
<p>I took algebra 1, geometry, algebra 2, calculus, and recreational mathematics (which i didn’t list because it’s not common - i just like studying higher dimensions).</p>
<p>Science:
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Earth Science</p>
<p>I took chemistry, physics, and “life science” - no lab, though. you might want to consider taking these at a community college if you think you’ll want lab. i did just fine without it, though, and i’m starting at a community college planning to transfer for Materials Science and Engineering.</p>
<p>English
english composition 1
english composition 2
literature
debate
creative writing
journalism
lot of options…</p>
<p>i took eng. comp. 1 and 2, literature, and journalism (my own news website).</p>
<p>social studies/history
u.s. history
world social studies
u.s. government
psychology
economics</p>
<p>i took u.s. history, world social, psych + criminology. </p>
<p>language
2 years any foreign language.</p>
<p>i took 1 yr spanish, 2 french, and learned to read arabic.</p>
<p>and electives are very open (art, music, start a website, etc…). </p>
<p>so, you don’t need to pay for an online high school, as long as you can mostly self-direct (or at least read the chapters/lessons you set for yourself every week!). message me if you need any advice :)</p>
<p>I agree with Nanotech. However, the difference between online school and traditional homeschooling:</p>
<ol>
<li> A lot less self-motivation needed</li>
<li> A much easier college admissions process</li>
</ol>
<p>Nanotech, thanks a ton for writing all that out and offering advice (which I’ll probably need either way) but like applicannot said, I’m not really self-motivated at this point in my life and I can’t imagine telling myself what I need to do, grading myself, and then putting it all together in a way that colleges can understand. Wish I was that kind of person but I know I’m not one of you :P</p>
<p>yea, self-motivation is HUGE part of it, so if you’re not up to it then definitely go for something more guided. and @applicanot, the admission process is pretty easy for homeschooling as well as online school, but test scores are a bigger factor and again it just requires motivation :P</p>
<p>AngryWithSociety, I don’t think online schooling is for you if you say you’re not self-motivated at this point.</p>
<p>Well the idea is that for the last few years I’ve been pretty depressed but something is supposedly going to come along in the next few months and change that, so I’m planning accordingly. I used to care and do exceptionally well in school before I got bogged down with other crap. Anyway, the idea is that I’ll be happier than ever in a matter of months and then I’ll be able to focus on school without much trouble at all.</p>
<p>I write so repetitively when I’m tired… hahaha</p>
<p>I’m with you. I lost all hope with school BECAUSE of my high school, and thus getting away improved that. That said, if you don’t think you have self control and motivation, don’t consider online schooling. Although I personally feel there are more opportunities to learn, you have to be able to take advantage of them.</p>