Want to go back to high school for senior year.

Pre-College Issues Home Schooling and College
1

<p>Is it possible to do this without screwing everything up? I've self-studied everything. I've gotten 5s on AP tests and plan to get great scores on more and on my SAT. But my high school might not accept this. I'm scared they won't give me credit for my courses just because they want to put me back so they can get their $5000 each year I wasn't there.</p>

<p>My parents want me to get a "real" diploma. But they haven't been involved in my education. Most high school kids have their parents taking care of everything but I've had to deal with everything myself. All the planning, purchasing textbooks, studying, registering for tests, has been ME. Homeschooling was my idea in the first place and they just sort of went along with it. It's weird, but my parents never cared whether I did well or not in school. My siblings get E's they don't care. I get A's they just don't care. But they do care about THIS. They don't know anything about college admissions or high school transcripts. So it's very hard to explain to them.</p>

<p>I'm just nervous because rather than making my OWN transcripts, a dumb public high school GC will be doing it and I'm sure out of spite will downgrade EVERYTHING I've done. I really don't want everything screwed up! I have dreams of going to College of William & Mary but I'm worried going back next year that won't be possible!</p>

2

<p>Wow, I know that some students have less than wonderful guidance couselors, but do you really think that your potential gc would hurt you out of spite ?</p>

3

<p>I just have a feeling the GC will look down on me as a homeschooled student. She tried to talk my parents out of it back when I left (I went there for 9th grade) and left nasty messages at our home phone saying homeschooling was "illegal" (we'd done everything in our rights though) so I'm worried she'll place me in classes I've already done and make an awful transcript. </p>

<p>I would much rather go to a private school but can't afford it.</p>

4

<p>You need to check into state laws and school district policies. I know in our area, if our boys had decided to go back to school, none of the classes they had done at home would have counted. They would have had to repeat everything to get credit. </p>

<p>Is there a homeschool support group in your area? If so, there would likely be someone there who would be able to help you with your transcripts. There are also places online you can get help with those things. And I'm sure some people on this board would be willing to look over your transcripts and other college forms and give advice, if you request it.</p>

<p>You are in a difficult position, but not an impossible one. A student who has self-studied well enough to score 5's on AP's will probably look quite impressive to college admissions people. Be sure this comes out in application forms or college essays--not said in a "poor me" way, of course, but in the way of what you have learned through it.</p>

<p>Good luck whichever way you choose.</p>

5

<p>I wouldn't let the guidance counselors here anywhere near my kids applications, even though the kids have attended the high school part-time for selected classes. There is at least one that is hostile to homeschooling, and the others are just clueless.</p>

<p>To elizlan, though, I'd say you should talk it over thoroughly with the guidance counselor before re-enrolling. Take a transcript of your work that you have created, and talk it through with them, ask them how the high school would deal with your independent study; would it transfer onto an official high school transcript? what about grades? credits?, and so forth.</p>

<p>You will be able to tell if it's it's a helpful conversation, or if you're going to lose credits or even emotional support in the process of returning to high school and preparing for college apps.</p>

<p>It may be different where you live, but unless you did your independent study through an accreditated online/correspondence program, I would be very surprised if the high school gave you credit for any of it. If that's the case, then you probably wouldn't be able to graduate from the high school anyway due to lack of required credits. This could be a good thing to find out, and be just what you need to stop your parents from pressuring you because what would be the point? And then, you will be free to finish you last year with self-study, write your own transcript, prep for the SATs, etc.</p>

<p>On the other hand, you may find a sympathic ear with the guidance counselor, and they might be impressed with your self-discipline, motivation, and strength to do so much with so little home support. That could make a nice GC evaluation in your college apps.</p>

<p>I would only say, don't let them talk you into staying an extra year at high school to make-up credits they might insist you need. It will make your transcript look like a super-senior's, and look like your homestudy was a flop or something, while it sounds exactly the opposite! With few exceptions, colleges don't care a hoot about diplomas.</p>

6

<p>I would be wary of going to high school unless you absolutely feel you need to do so.
Just an anecdote. A school social worker contacted me as a home school parent to advise at a high school conference. The student was in April of his Junior year. He was very bright (smarter than his teachers, and not shy about showing it). The teachers gave him grades that varied according to how much they felt like punishing him. He had enough Cs and Ds to put him in the bottom half of his class. I advised him and his parents that he should drop out of school and apply as a home schooler. His testing was very strong (SATs and SAT IIs).
He dropped out, taking a couple of courses under a program for high schoolers at the University of Chicago. He ended up going to Amherst College in Massachusetts. His guidance counselor later told me that his high school had already determined never to give him a high school diploma.
It seems that you have learned very well on your own. In my experience (2 applicants so far in my family), schools will respect your testing to compare you to your schooled peers. Maybe even more so because you have done what you have on your own initiative.
The only caveat is that my kids have been interested in applying to private colleges rather than publics, which tend to have more bureaucratic rules.</p>

7

<p>elizan,
we had a similar experience with my girl's gc. She was originally a liittle condescending about d1's decision to leave public hs and attend a Catholic School. She offended me with her attitude of letting me know that, regardless of d's choice of school, she should take the math placement test because she would quit Catholic and return to public.
I was mad, but ultimately when d chose to leave Catholic and return to public, realized that this woman, this gc had MUCH more experience than me and ultimately proved herself to not only have my kid's best interests at heart, but was a champion for them all the way.
I am grateful to her, as are my kids.
Maybe, just maybe your potential gc is similar to my kid's gc. Do you have any friends that have her, or any frame of reference to gauge her perormance ?
I doubt that gc is as vindictive as you fear.
Perhaps a little one on one would give you an advantage, rather than have a negative impact as you are afraid it will.
My husband, who is a master at taming the beast in anyone, would take that approach.
He can win over the worst of the worst.</p>

8

<p>In our school district, you can graduate if you a) meet the course requirements from courses at the school and those for which the school gives you credit; and b) take all your courses at the school in your final semester. If you were in our school district, you'd probably have to have pre-arranged credit for you courses, though you might be able to take final exams from enough courses to qualify to be a senior. If not, you'd likely be unable to graduate.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

9

<p>Well- our school district here in King County WA would not even accept courses from Indiana University (both HS and college) and would have made her repeat them. (it was interesting for the student to hear that) Her IU courses were award winning and had much more serious texts than the basic course offered at the public school. So anyway, they can choose to accept pretty much nothing if so desired. They didn't even care about looking at a transcript, just said, you'll take everything over! (Best reason not to reenroll)</p>

<p>Second- after reading the "recommendation" written by our GC at our public school Home school center that was truly shocking. (the mother showed it to some of us) She took a full 2 weeks to write 4 lines (in sloppy hand righting) This girl has a physical condition that is very apparent, maybe you could say, obvious, that is not attractive. She got a 4.0 taking 20 credits at the CC. She is a wonderful kid, and always answers politely when you speak to her. (volunteers, etc) So her rec read: "I'm new here and I don't know this person but her mom says she's homeschooling her and she now goes to the CC. I really don't know that for sure, however, this is just what her mom has reported." (This kid has been at our school for longer than us- which is 8 years. ) She had plenty of records to look at, but the GC didn't bother. We are convinced the GC is really not on our side, but she's just doing her job until something better turns up. This student was hoping for a scholarship. We told the mom to rip it up, nothing was better than that "rec" The mom was just thankful she was able to intercept it. (you might be able to do dual enrollment at the CC, and possibly take 1 or 2 class at the HS if that is important to you. I'm sure you'll well in college. Anyone that can do their on homeschooling will find college a piece of cake!!</p>

10

<p>As a follow-up to lotsobooks' post, we had a bit of work convincing our high school English department to give our son credit for a course taken at Harvard Summer School. The course was the same expository writing class that all Harvard students are required to pass in order to graduate. In part, they thought it was like their Rhetoric course and why give credit when he could just take the Rhetoric course. Admittedly, the Harvard Summer School course was for HS students but it was taught by one of the people who teaches it during the year, I believe, and his standards were way beyond what is expected at the HS. Ultimately, the English department was reasonable, but it was pretty humorous for a while.</p>

11

<p>Thanks for all your replies! So many different experiences though, makes me nervous.</p>

12

<p>elizlan-</p>

<p>It sounds like you are a great kid who is really making something of your life!</p>

<p>I recommend some research. Make an appointment with the guidance counselor. Bring all your records and find out exactly where you would stand for graduation.</p>

<p>Then, contact some admissions offices at colleges you are interested in. Find out what their homeschool admission policy is. Ask them if any homeschoolers have won their top scholarships (almost certainly they have). Ask them how their admissions committee views homeschooling.</p>

<p>Then bring the information to your parents. I think you and they will find that you are much better off staying at home for your senior year. I know a homeschooler just won one of ten full-ride plus scholarships at my husband's alma mater. My own son has been highly recruited and offered several scholarships already -- and he's been homeschooled from the beginning.</p>

<p>I think if you come to your parents with hard facts, you'll be in the best position.</p>

<p>I also recommend that you think about someone in the community who could right the guidance counselor's letter for you, since your parents don't seem too engaged. Is there a librarian or homeschool support group leader who knows you well?</p>

<p>I hope this all works out great for you!</p>

13

<p>Staying home next year just isn't an option really. My parents would be so angry and dissapointed in me if I couldn't graduate like normal, I'm getting pressure from almost every side of my family and I seriously can't handle it anymore.</p>

14

<p>can't you go to community college instead? [ I only mention this because of your recent post about getting AP credit for taking a college class]</p>

15

<p>But you may not be able to "graduate like normal" if you DO go back to school. You need to find that out soon. Call up the school counseling office soon and see what they say. If you can't graduate without taking 3 years worth of back classes, what would be the point of going back? Many homeschool support groups have graduation ceremonies, if that is what your parents want. I'm not sure if there are other options in your area. But you really need to find out how the school will treat you if you go back--if they will accept any homeschool credits.</p>

16

<p>I agree with Susantm -- you really have to talk to a GC and find out what the requirements are for a "normal" graduation. Perhaps it will work out okay, but it depends on the school's policy about accepting credits for transfer.</p>

<p>I fear your parents might be in for a rude shock. Best to get it cleared up a.s.a.p., so you can all settle into dealing with reality.</p>

17

<p>If a transcript is what you are concerned about, visit <a href="http://www.academicrecords.net"&gt;www.academicrecords.net&lt;/a> - you can register for a small fee, give them your course information, and you will get an official transcript that you can send to colleges.</p>

<p>For a diploma, all you need is a certificate that you can buy at Office Max and fill out!</p>

<p>What colleges will want to see is your transcript, not your diploma.</p>

<p>I hope that helps and wish you the very best. The story of you putting together your own curriculum would make an excellent essay for your personal application to a college.</p>

18

<p>Have you talked to the guidance counselor yet? Please let us know the outcome and if we can help you in any other way.</p>

19

<p>
[quote]
Staying home next year just isn't an option really. My parents would be so angry and dissapointed in me if I couldn't graduate like normal, I'm getting pressure from almost every side of my family and I seriously can't handle it anymore.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I agree with Susan about the graduation ceremony. Since you are from Virginia, I assume you are familiar with HEAV. Home</a> Educators Association of VA | Welcome! They have a commencement ceremony, and they could probably let you know about other ceremonies, too. This really could be your parents' main issue. It might make them feel like failures if you don't have a ceremony. They may think the rest of the family will see you as the kid who never graduated.</p>

<p>Going back to p.s. will likely hurt your college and scholarship chances. Be sure your parents know this. Homeschooled students are prized applicants for most colleges. It's something that sets you apart from other applicants. </p>

<p>As others have said, have GC evaluate your homeschool work and tell you exactly how long it will take you to graduate from p.s. Then you can take that info to your parents.</p>

<p>They still might be mad when they get the news that it's going to take you 2-3 years to graduate from p.s. give them time to work through that before going to them for help about your decision.</p>

20

<p>I really don't have much to add but that i'm in the same situation right now. I left my public high school after the 9th grade because of so many conflicts with the staff/administration through my whole schooling career. My grandparents and parents are now pushing me back into a private or charter high school, and i'm so worried about being held back, looking like i've messed up, etc. It's not at all my choice to go back but i'm being told I have to.</p>

<p>Have you considered taking the ACT or SAT tests? A teacher I talked to recommended that I take them so I have test scores to show, but i'm not sure how much they'll help.</p>