Leave of absence or similar for a HS student

[Anonymous]

Posting for a friend:

A HS student is planning to go on a foreign exchange program for a year. As they are getting ready, a severe and life-threatening illness hits their family. The current plan is for a student to still go and hope that the situation is stable. Given the uncertainty, the student may potentially need to come back home mid-year. The student planned to be abroad this year and would otherwise be a senior. Having to re-start school mid-year can be difficult and impact the student's ability to study and complete their senior year. Do you know of any options that would allow this student to take a leave from school or do something alternative (e.g., virtual school) if they were to return mid-semester. Some option to allow the student to focus on their family and then re-enter school next semester or (preferably) next year.

[Anonymous]

This makes no sense. Kid should not go.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like they are old enough to drop out. Not sure what the rules on coming back are. There may be an age limit. But there is no leave of absence for someone else's medical conditions.

[Anonymous]

You just unenroll and then re-enroll on return. You should check though if age will have any effect. It happens all the time for medical reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like they are old enough to drop out. Not sure what the rules on coming back are. There may be an age limit. But there is no leave of absence for someone else's medical conditions.

No, not old enough

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You just unenroll and then re-enroll on return. You should check though if age will have any effect. It happens all the time for medical reasons.

There is a law in MD that all kids under 18 should go to school. One's one medical illness is a valid reason to take a leave, but not illness in family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This makes no sense. Kid should not go.

Not the question I asked

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You just unenroll and then re-enroll on return. You should check though if age will have any effect. It happens all the time for medical reasons.

There is a law in MD that all kids under 18 should go to school. One's one medical illness is a valid reason to take a leave, but not illness in family.

He’s leaving the area so he won’t be in MD. I’ve done this so I can tell you it’s really no big deal

[Anonymous]

Check if the student is eligible for early graduation?

[Anonymous]

I am not in MD, but are there any "alternative" public schools in MD? In NYC we have several alternatives for students for whom traditional HS doesn't work out for some reason, e.g. being teen parents or preferring to get a significant component online.

Is it a concern about not violating the rule about not attending the school under 18 (do kids not drop out of HS in MD?) or is it a concern about coming back and not ruining the GPA for college or entirely something else?

[Anonymous]

This sounds like it might be the kind of thing you're thinking of? https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/onlinelearning/courses/pathway/.

But your post isn't clear about the foreign exchange program: would he be getting MCPS credits for some sort of schooling overseas? If not, how does he plan to graduate if he's able to stay the full year as scheduled? This seems really unusual, so there's likely something we're missing here.

Honestly, I'd suggest asking his current/previous high school counselor, since they'd know best about requirements and timings and options within MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Please ask MCPS directly - this is too important to rely on internet people for.

[Anonymous]

Teacher here--inquire with the school directly. I work with a large number of international students and kids leave to go overseas for a year or a few months, or they come back from overseas and don't attend school right away. There may also be home instruction options, and the Virtual Academy is still happening as well. But this a question for you child's school, so they can get the full story. Just be aware that your first point of contact may not have the answer and will have to do some research first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You just unenroll and then re-enroll on return. You should check though if age will have any effect. It happens all the time for medical reasons.

There is a law in MD that all kids under 18 should go to school. One's one medical illness is a valid reason to take a leave, but not illness in family.

He’s leaving the area so he won’t be in MD. I’ve done this so I can tell you it’s really no big deal

The question is about the situation when the student may have to return early because of the family situation. If that happens, they will be in MD

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not in MD, but are there any "alternative" public schools in MD? In NYC we have several alternatives for students for whom traditional HS doesn't work out for some reason, e.g. being teen parents or preferring to get a significant component online.

Is it a concern about not violating the rule about not attending the school under 18 (do kids not drop out of HS in MD?) or is it a concern about coming back and not ruining the GPA for college or entirely something else?

Thank you, will check, was hoping someone with experience with those may see this. The concern is about both, necessity of getting back to school mid-semester and consequences for the GPA and college plans. I