Schedule conflict between High School and College program requirements

Can I get some input here? One of the programs in which D is interested has requirements that she would have to start this summer (May27). She does not graduate until June 12. She has sent the program director an email asking how to handle the conflict. I’m sure other students have had this issue. Any thoughts?

find a different program?

Assuming the college program offers college credit, I can’t imagine how your D could miss the first 2+ weeks.

I thought about that. It is the Chinese Flagship Program, a 5 year specialized program that ties in with International Studies at Ole Miss.

Take a gap year?

What does her HS say. There would be 2 weeks left of classes and exams. Has she fulfilled all of the requirements for graduation? Can she take any necessary finals prior to May 27th? Should be an easy fix.

The immovable part is the college start date, not the HS end date. This shouldn’t be that hard. Talk to the HS. She can probably schedule to take exams early. This happens quite often with summer programs.

I agree with others who posted above. I would start with the HS to resolve the conflict. I’d talk to the HS guidance counselor and if I had to take it up with the principal and later the superintendent of schools if need be. Your D could mention it to her teachers as well. I’d think they can figure out a way to accelerate the last couple of weeks of HS (hand in final papers early, take finals early) to allow her to start the college program on time. As I remember from my senior year of HS (long ago) and my children’s senior years (more recently), not too much learning goes on the last couple of weeks of HS!! And the good news is the HS will have plenty of notice to organize things to make it work.

Thanks for the suggestions! I will talk with D and proceed from there. I’ve been in contact with her GC recently regarding NM so she will have D in mind. (Large sr high population).

The high school should be willing to work with you on this matter. Probably your daughter will have to take her exams early.

It may not be as easy as speaking to the HS. The college might not be able to allow the student to enroll until they have a HS diploma, which the HS might not be allowed to grant until graduation.

Graduation is just the ceremony telling the world that a student has done the work. If she does all of the required work (including finals) and passes, the guidance counselor should be able to tell the college that the student has passed all of her classes and will receive a diploma. it should not matter if the diploma gets into her hands two weeks later, what matters is if the high school can tell the college whether or not she has done the work necessary. Getting permission to do the work early should do the trick.

Good points to consider. Glad to get others’ thoughts. Thank you!

Update: Assistant principal for curriculum and instruction has given the OK for the absence request. This is assuming attendance is good and that D keeps her grades up so that she earns her finals exemptions. She will have to provide documentation that she is attending summer school at college, showing the dates of the sessions. Thanks to all for their input! I knew someone on CC would know what to do.