<p>i'm a freshman at a tiny public high school in the middle of nowhere. i am bored out of my mind and need some intellectual stimulation. i have been playing around with the ideas of either an exchange program or private school. both are very expensive, tho, and my family is by no means wealthy. does anybody have any ideas or suggestions?</p>
<p>You mean that you're not challenged enough in school?</p>
<p>Can you make your schedule more rigorous? Take classes online or at a local community college (maybe not next year, but junoir or senior year, if your school allows it)?</p>
<p>As to extracurricular things, you could enter regional or even national competitions in things you're interested in. There are plenty out there, ranging from science to creative writing to foreign languages.</p>
<p>Many programs have financial aid but this won't solve your problem b/c they're usually only for one year. Private schools also have financial aid but it depends on whether or not your parents are cool w/ the possibility of paying any sort of money for school when you could go free at your current school. You could stay at your tiny public school and ask to take more advanced classes in higher grades (lots of people on CC self-study APs) or just take classes online (as teenage_cliche said). Or you could take on a personal project in a field you're interested in.</p>
<p>school not being challenging enough is part of the problem, but i also want a fresh start social-wise. i'm kind of an outcast except with my group of friends. and not a lot of the kids here are on my maturity level. i would also like more freedom, public transportation, and places to go, so basically that requires a move to somewhere else.<br>
i realize it's a little late to be applying for things now, but is there any programs or scholarships that you know of?</p>
<p>You're a freshman!!! It's never too late to be applying for things. Something you might want to consider-an internship (volunteer or otherwise) in an organization/job you're interested in. It won't cost you money, and it'll give you work experience, something different from the humdrums of school. This way you can challenge yourself in a different setting. </p>
<p>Scholarships/programs are everywhere, you just have to look (there is this great thing called google, where you type in a query and it pops up a zillion websites for you to look through :P). Ftr, you are way ahead of everyone else your age if you are thinking of stuff like this! Good luck</p>
<p>graduate early!!! i am considering that, b/c i'm in the same situation...</p>
<p>if you like math and want some challenge, then join AoPS</p>