Just a 47-year-old mom of 2 in Northern California. My kids are Monkey Monkey(MM) and Drama Llama (DL). I am married to Monkey Hubby (MH). The PTA meeting we went to this week was for DL's school. Because his school is an art/academic focus, he's required to take 8 classes every semester (in order to squeeze in the crapload of electives). In contrast, MM(14) only takes 6 classes. So DL will graduate with a few extra credits. I don't see any reason why he'd supplement his high school education at all.
That said, they were mentioning AP classes and community college and so on. & apparently community college courses are free to high school students. I don't know the details, but wanted to take note.
That said, it costs pennies regardless, so I already considered it "free". But it's apparently really and truly FREE. (Off the top of my head, I think a regular college course would be $100, for reference).
I am taking note for my other child. I wouldn't be surprised if he graduated early. There is family precedent there. Right or wrong (I don't know) we've really leaned on him to just slow down. But he has such a light courseload (for him) that I can totally foresee him getting through several college classes before he graduates high school. It's more the norm these days anyway. In his case will just be more self motivated.
College Note
January 12th, 2018 at 02:26 pm
January 12th, 2018 at 05:02 pm 1515776535
In my mind, the most important benefit of community College is the time factor allowing students [particularly boys] a smoother transition from High Schoo to the next level. Be the time they get to university, they are way more mature and better equipped to deal with the lack of impersonal, large numbers classwork. No one give a tot if you attend class, hand in assignments, stick to deadlines, show skills and initiatives.
As a parent, I appreciated DS 2 choice to start at CC. He had time to continue two non academic activities he loved and it cost less tan half tuition. Our DSs applied for a huge number of grants, awards, scholarships that merely required an application and letter. The school counsellor can provide direction. When DS2 finally went to university, it was a breeze and the money saved paid nearly all his Master's program two years after graduation.
January 12th, 2018 at 05:10 pm 1515777024
The 1st two years missed sentences
January 12th, 2018 at 06:51 pm 1515783117
January 13th, 2018 at 02:02 am 1515808938
January 13th, 2018 at 06:47 pm 1515869221
We have a wonderful Community College and I do not understand why more people don't take advantage of it. It is far more reasonable than any other college. Our neighborhood also has a great deal -- if you graduate from the local high school, you automatically get the tuition for two years at the CC.
January 15th, 2018 at 04:09 am 1515989362
@LAL - It's pretty common in our state to offer AA degrees to disadvantaged/lower achieving high school students. I think because it gets them more quickly into a trade. Also, is free and so only leaves two years to pay for (if they want to continue on). Whereas the middle class/higher achieving kids get pushed more the AP/Honors route. I honestly think the AA degree sounds infinitely more useful, but I guess most the middle class parents seem ready to write a blank check to whatever college. (It's less clear what exactly will transfer over when it comes to AP).
@snafu/rob ~ I am surprised how much discouragement I have gotten on SA, over the years, re: community college. All I know is that it's too good and too cheap to pass up (where I live).