Had a "conference" with the mom of my high schooler this afternoon. Went over her achievement test results, which were very good - every single subtest in the above-average range. Math higher than it's every been. And her mom says they're considering putting her back in public school next year, despite the fact that she would have to go back to 9th grade and start over. "She'll have to do what she has to do." She's already going to be 17 in August before school starts. The reason? Social. "She's going to have to learn to deal with other kids her age." She isn't a social child, never has been, and doesn't mix with the other kids at church very much either. She prefers family and gets along well with older or younger but not her age. I'm stunned.
Lindina, did she give you any other reasons why she wants to do this? If the girl is 17 in August, will she even be welcome at traditional high school until she's 20??? I know at Elle's school, they can attend until they are 19, but at 20, they have to go to the alternative adult ed high school. That can be a rough crowd. What a terrible way for her to spend her senior year (Maybe it's different at her school?) If the mom is just worried about socialization, maybe you can suggest adding a social activity for the girl like the YMCA or some volunteer work? Also, maybe explain to mom that school is an artificial environment...and that at no other time in her life will this girl have to deal with a population of people that are exclusively her own age. At work, in life....people are multi-generational. You never get a job where everyone is exactly your own age. In college, people's ages vary. Learning to succeed in a multi-generational environment will probably serve her better in the long run. Seems like something more is going on. Sure hope you get some more information that makes sense of her decision...you sound really upset. Really hope this works out, somehow. Good luck.
Well, it's over. I just had a chat with the mom, and they've decided she's going back to public school. I'll work with her over the summer to get as done as we can get with algebra 1, so that maybe she can get a better score when they placement-test her. She has a couple more lessons and a paper to finish in Literature and a couple more and a brief paper in English. Her mom said yes she could work a day or so over, whatever it takes to get those completed. We're still friends.
There's no Y, the area's too small. She does volunteer work at the church Food Pantry. She belongs to the youth group, but often chooses not to participate. Her dad wants her to "be social" and realizes you can't force it. And yes, "school age" extends through the year they turn 21.
Unfortunately, this girl will be at high risk for dropping out from high school. SHe might be better off taking the GED and starting Jr. College part time and working part time.
No, she will not drop out under any circumstances. She might drop out of college, but not high school. You'd have to know the family.
