Should I attend an online high school?

Pre-College Topics High School Life
1

Dear CC Community,

I have attended a fairly challenging prep school since I was in pre-kindergarten. I’m currently about to finish my freshman year and the high school is much different than I thought. Although it is regarded as fairly prestigious and a decent amount of people go in the Ivy league, the majority of my classmates lack enthusiasm, motivation, and often discourage me from working harder on my academics (they think I need a break).

I consider myself to be much more mature than the majority of my classmates (I do not know how to say that without seeming arrogant, but it’s true - sorry!), and I have some very ambitious extracurricular goals. I play three sports, and I am attempting to start my own online business, write a book, and I make my own music in my other free time. I am very organized and I’ve planned about my high school career thoughtfully so I can get into the colleges that matter most (most likely an Ivy). I have a good reputation in my school and I’m currently sitting at a 3.75 GPA with three honors classes to finish this year. It dropped from a 4.0 from last year but I expect it will rise back up as I keep adjusting to high school and taking courses that interest me.

That sums up most of my accomplishments and my situation. I believe I will qualify for at least one of my top three choices for colleges regardless of what high school I choose to attend, but I’m quite concerned with my school environment and if an online school would keep me focused on what really matters to me. I’d really appreciate any feedback on these questions.

Do online high school environments tend to be academically challenging or similarly prestigious compared to a typical prep school? Any recommendations?

Do online high schools have roughly the same workload as normal/in-person high schools?

Do you think I should attend an online high school? (This is a loaded question, but please try to answer from the information given!)

Thank you!

2

I have also been wondering about this, but my parents are not at all on board with it. I, too, have gone to a good prep school my whole life and I agree with what you have said. I think I would like to take online school, but my parents won’t allow me

3

Try to look boarding schools/private schools/magnet schools. Financial aid may be necessary for the former 2.

4

You sound like an ideal candidate for a college preparatory boarding school. You will find PLENTY of intellectual, athletic & personal development challenge there, in an environment of similarly motivated & high-achieving students. Plus, it’s fun.

Take a look at the Prep School Admissions forum:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/
I have 2 kids in elite boarding schools-- their local school wasn’t offering them enough.

Boarding schools do offer generous financial aid.

5

Excuse me for the late response (I just finished the school year and exams this past week, so I haven’t checked). I’ve considered boarding school, and I think I would fit well, but my music somewhat holds me back. I’d prefer not to give up recording music (I record most of it, and I’ve invested quite a lot of my personal money on music-related items that I doubt I could bring). I haven’t released anything, so it’s not a huge deal, but it would be a disappointment. Being a drummer at boarding school doesn’t necessarily seem convenient either. Do you think the schools accommodate music much? I’m sure all the other aspects are great for my other desires, which makes it seem bittersweet. Thanks for the replies, too!