Hey everyone. I’m 15 and going into my sophomore year of high school. In my district, there is a process you have to go through where you apply to graduate at the end of your junior year. I’m thinking of going through this application process. I don’t want to graduate early just for the purposes of going to college sooner just because of wanting to be advanced or whatever. I’m FtM transgender and I don’t feel safe or comfortable transitioning at my school but I really want to start soon and the longer I wait to transition the more depressed and hopeless I feel. While I’d like to go to a “prestigious” college, it really isn’t a huge priority for me and I just want to have a good fit and go through my gender transition. My parents are completely okay with this idea so I’m not worried about that facet. I just want to see what some of you people who know what they’re talking about have to say about this. Again- I’d only graduate because I need to get out of this uncomfortable personal state. I’m taking Pre-Calc/Trig, Spanish 3, Honors English 10, Honors Chemistry, Health/PE, and AP Psych this upcoming year. The only requirement I’d need to do anything extra with is English, and I could either do a summer English program or take 2 one semester English electives next year. What do you all think?
Is there any way for you to start over at a new high school? I have a friend who started to come out as trans when he moved to my school.
@awesomepolyglot I do have an opportunity to apply to a 2 year residential high school which has been seen as pretty accepting but it’s nowhere near certain that I’d get in. I’m thinking of applying.
It sounds like a good idea. Then, if you don’t get in,you’d still be able to graduate early?
@MYOS1634 Yep! I’d just have to go through the process at my school.
I am generally not a fan of graduating HS early but with in your case it just may make sense – especially if the 2 year residential HS doesn’t work out.
Then, do your best on the 2-year residential application, take the extra English classes, and make sure you prepare for the SAT/ACT regardless. Indeed, you want to attend a college that’ll not only be accepting of who you are, but is also a good academic fit AND affordable for your parents. Good scores and the best possible grades are the way to go.
@happy1 I’ll apply to the residential HS and also go through the process to have all of my bases covered. 
@MYOS1634 I’ll do all of that. Thank you for the help!
Do it Saves money and time…
You are a teen right now and this is the oldest you have ever been and the most mature you have ever been. But as adults, we know you have more maturing to do and what seems like a great short term solution is not the best long term solution.
In the long run, Academically, graduating early doesn’t prepare you well for college as you are not exposed to as many classes and are not as mature starting college or work if you were to wait until you were a senior. If you don’t go to college, you don’t have a chance at a better career so you won’t do as well in the long run.
So how to address that in the short run? What situation will make you comfortable now, but still allow you to prepare for teh future? If the residential school you speak of would do that, then definitely look into that.
Hi- I’ve done some research about the residential HS I planned on applying to- turns out they don’t accomodate to gender identity at all and I’d have to live in the girls’ dorm and use girls’ restrooms and stuff. I’m not really comfortable with that… at all. I’ve tossed around the idea of either graduating next year. I really wish I could graduate this year and go to the local college.
Can you do full time dual enrollment through your current high school for two years? It wouldn’t help sophomore year but could be good for junior/senior year. Would that help at all?
@momtogirls2 I’ve not looked- I don’t think my school offers it, but if they do, I’ll hop on that. I don’t hate high school, or feel uncomfortable about high school, just mine in particular, and there’s no other high school I can go to, If my school offers full DE I will def do it
EDIT: I just looked through my school’s website and stuff and it says the only dual-credit/enrollment anything is just a handful of classes offered at the high school, we don’t have any full DE.
@CavsFan2003 Do you have a local community college that is easy to get to? If so look at their website and see if they offer dual enrollment. You could speak to them and find out if you could be eligible and if they would help you talk to your school to be the first person to take advantage of the opportunity. My daughter was the first class to do two full years. All of her classes were at the college campus. We have state funding so classes were free and the books were free rentals.
Talk to your guidance counselor to make sure there is no other way to do DE.
@momtogirls2 I’ll talk to them! We do have a local community college that doesn’t deny anyone. I’ll speak to my counselor.
@bopper I’ll speak to my counselor
My last bump, probably, but I think my dad and I have found a solution. We’ve decided to apply to the 2 year school as a backup (from kids who go there, even if you have to dorm with birth gender, they’re still accepting) and also a handful of boarding schools. Hopefully one of the schools we pick will decide to admit me
Good luck!
Do keep us updated with your admissions and decisions
@MYOS1634 Thank you! I will