Ending formal education after sophomore year of high school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you could get him into SWW (DC Public), he could take classes at GW for free (starting junior year).

If you think SWW is the right place for a "free spirit" who is disengaged from school, you're sadly misinformed. Putting aside the question whether your child could even satisfy entrance criteria (good GPA, fairly high minimum test-in requirements), it is an academically rigorous place that expects significant amounts of work (3+ hours daily homework) and commitment. It is unlikely that SWW is going to be *more* tolerant than the school you are currently paying lots of money to.

[Anonymous]

Kids can get into SWW with a 2.5 GPA. That is much easier than any private school in the area. Sorry to burst your bubble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids can get into SWW with a 2.5 GPA. That is much easier than any private school in the area. Sorry to burst your bubble.

If you're going to be condescending, you might want to check your facts first. But hey, if you're going to be an asshole, you might as well double down and be an ignorant asshole.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I know the facts. My neighbor's kid went there. Look at the website for SWW and see for yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here. I have no idea if OP is a troll, but I most certainly am not and this topic is one I've been thinking about generally for our DS who is 12.

1. he intensely dislikes attending school (at a NWDC independent) because it is slow-paced and monotonous and confining. I can see his point

2. he is intensely curious in a broad array of subjects ranging from 19th century art to building a better 3D printer that can mimic live human tissue better than current technology allows

3. He is strange and has never found his tribe among his same-age peers, after 9 years of exposure, but he LOVES adults and they tend to like him back.

I wonder: why can't he "homeschool" at around ~ 15 y.o. with a sampling of live subject matter tutors (calc), online national classes for the "mandatory" subjects (English composition?) and ... travel? independent research internships like the kids get at Montgomery Blair? and as PP said, college classes to round out the week.

Look, DS has been asking already and if this continues into HS, I'm going to consider seriously letting him "drop out" and go alternative. He'll learn and accomplish more, not less, of this I have no doubt. The only thing that gives me pause is how top engineering departments, say, might view this alternate path when they do get his application at age 20 (vs. 18).

-- not a troll, really




4. he

Lots of homeschooled kids get into the most selective colleges, including engineering schools. If your child is a good tester, consider enrolling him the Davidson Young Scholars program; lots of DYS kids are homeschooled or pursue some other sort of alternative path to college. The parent group is very supportive and a great source of information on homeschooling curricula, applying to colleges as HS student, etc. Another option might be The School for Tomorrow in Rockville, although I have heard some negative things about it, so check it out carefully. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Bard is opening an Early College program in Baltimore, if that helps: http://bhsec.bard.edu/baltimore/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here. I have no idea if OP is a troll, but I most certainly am not and this topic is one I've been thinking about generally for our DS who is 12.

1. he intensely dislikes attending school (at a NWDC independent) because it is slow-paced and monotonous and confining. I can see his point

2. he is intensely curious in a broad array of subjects ranging from 19th century art to building a better 3D printer that can mimic live human tissue better than current technology allows

3. He is strange and has never found his tribe among his same-age peers, after 9 years of exposure, but he LOVES adults and they tend to like him back.

I wonder: why can't he "homeschool" at around ~ 15 y.o. with a sampling of live subject matter tutors (calc), online national classes for the "mandatory" subjects (English composition?) and ... travel? independent research internships like the kids get at Montgomery Blair? and as PP said, college classes to round out the week.

Look, DS has been asking already and if this continues into HS, I'm going to consider seriously letting him "drop out" and go alternative. He'll learn and accomplish more, not less, of this I have no doubt. The only thing that gives me pause is how top engineering departments, say, might view this alternate path when they do get his application at age 20 (vs. 18).

-- not a troll, really




4. he

I see! So "free Spirit" is what we say when we want to brag about our own DC without actually bragging!

Sorry, missed that memo?

[Anonymous]

My neighbor's kid did the dual enrollment program at SWW/GW. Great experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here. I have no idea if OP is a troll, but I most certainly am not and this topic is one I've been thinking about generally for our DS who is 12.

1. he intensely dislikes attending school (at a NWDC independent) because it is slow-paced and monotonous and confining. I can see his point

2. he is intensely curious in a broad array of subjects ranging from 19th century art to building a better 3D printer that can mimic live human tissue better than current technology allows

3. He is strange and has never found his tribe among his same-age peers, after 9 years of exposure, but he LOVES adults and they tend to like him back.

I wonder: why can't he "homeschool" at around ~ 15 y.o. with a sampling of live subject matter tutors (calc), online national classes for the "mandatory" subjects (English composition?) and ... travel? independent research internships like the kids get at Montgomery Blair? and as PP said, college classes to round out the week.

Look, DS has been asking already and if this continues into HS, I'm going to consider seriously letting him "drop out" and go alternative. He'll learn and accomplish more, not less, of this I have no doubt. The only thing that gives me pause is how top engineering departments, say, might view this alternate path when they do get his application at age 20 (vs. 18).

-- not a troll, really




4. he

I see! So "free Spirit" is what we say when we want to brag about our own DC without actually bragging!

Sorry, missed that memo?

Where are the words "free spirit" in the PP's post?