I wanted to bump this. My DS is interested in graduating a year early or really just leaving high school earlier. He’s not enjoying high school and has spoken of “dropping out and getting his GED,” but if he is going to force the issue, I’d rather he get a diploma. He does have an IEP for ASD1, but the para educator support does not make the social aspects easier.

What is the goal for after high school?
College? What kind?
Graduating early has a big impact on college applications.

Talk to the HS counselor. They will need to approve any variations anyway.

Anonymous wrote:Would also recommend checking out dual enrollment.

Honestly, it might work for her to take the full four years of HS with her senior year dual enrollment for all classes. That would get her out of the HS environment, through her first year of college (for free no less) and experience prepping for a four year college. It also would eliminate the stress of needing to figure out how to deal with English.

Our DD is doing her junior and senior year fully at Montgomery college. Her issue is extreme boredom rather than hating the HS environment, but I’m thankful that when she leaves for four year college she’ll have more experience under her belt.

+1

The two main ways that students graduate early have been mentioned already - in 11th grade take English 11/AP Lang and also English 12, or do dual enrollment and take English 101 in fall and 102 in spring.

What grade is your DD entering this fall? If 10th grade, they can apply to an Early College program in the fall and then spend 11th & 12th grade full time at MC and earn an Associates degree simultaneously with the high school diploma, free of charge. My DS did that, graduated last year, and went on to UMD engineering. In particular he really preferred the schedule - could sleep later, spent less time in classes, and focused on 4 classes at a time which went at a quicker pace.

https://www.montgomerycollege.edu/high-school-students/dual-enrollment/degree-and-pathway-programs/early-college-program/index.html

With dual enrollment MCPS pays tuition and books.

Would also recommend checking out dual enrollment.

Honestly, it might work for her to take the full four years of HS with her senior year dual enrollment for all classes. That would get her out of the HS environment, through her first year of college (for free no less) and experience prepping for a four year college. It also would eliminate the stress of needing to figure out how to deal with English.

Our DD is doing her junior and senior year fully at Montgomery college. Her issue is extreme boredom rather than hating the HS environment, but I’m thankful that when she leaves for four year college she’ll have more experience under her belt.

Anonymous wrote:DC has two friends who graduated from MCPS in three years. Math isn't the problem because you don't actually need 4 credits - as long as you have algebra and geometry, you just need to take a math class every year you're enrolled in high school. English is the problem, because you do need 4 years. If your DC isn't enrolled for summer school now, I believe it is possible to take two English classes at the same time. I think one of DD's friends who graduated early took Honors English 11 and AP Lang at the same time. Check with your child's counselor to see what is possible.

This is great to hear as it is exactly what she wants to do. She has already reached out to the counselor, but he needed to check with the administration on what is allowed vs not allowed, so I was looking for other people's experiences. Hopefully, he will come back with some solutions similar to what has been shared on this thread.

He did already tell her that she could take the English class next summer and graduate in August, but she has her mind set on graduating with the other students in May/June...and she is really stubborn...

DC has two friends who graduated from MCPS in three years. Math isn't the problem because you don't actually need 4 credits - as long as you have algebra and geometry, you just need to take a math class every year you're enrolled in high school. English is the problem, because you do need 4 years. If your DC isn't enrolled for summer school now, I believe it is possible to take two English classes at the same time. I think one of DD's friends who graduated early took Honors English 11 and AP Lang at the same time. Check with your child's counselor to see what is possible.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can she do a duel enrollment option where she could take MC classes instead of hs classes

Yes, she's just on the autism spectrum and perseverating about needing to graduate and get as far as she can away from the school, so I'm dealing with a very stubborn personality!

The dual enrollment classes would net two HS credits in one year if she did one English each semester.

Oh wow, I will check into that. That might be the perfect solution- exactly what I was hoping to get by posting. Do you know what the pre-reqs are for the classes?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can she do a duel enrollment option where she could take MC classes instead of hs classes

Yes, she's just on the autism spectrum and perseverating about needing to graduate and get as far as she can away from the school, so I'm dealing with a very stubborn personality!

The dual enrollment classes would net two HS credits in one year if she did one English each semester.

Anonymous wrote:Can she do a duel enrollment option where she could take MC classes instead of hs classes

Yes, she's just on the autism spectrum and perseverating about needing to graduate and get as far as she can away from the school, so I'm dealing with a very stubborn personality!

Can she do a duel enrollment option where she could take MC classes instead of hs classes

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this something that is possible? My DD wants to finish high school in 3 years but would need to figure out how to get the English credit. School is tough for her (on a social-emotional level- academically, it is easy). She has an IEP but she still struggles, has no friends, and hates school. Her dream is to graduate a year early and then go to MC for a year or two before going to a larger school. Just curious if this is possible.

Is the math requirement the concern? 4 years of participation?

No- she did honors geometry in summer school so will have the 4 years of math. She has 7 credits left for graduation and 7 periods this year. It would just be whether she can take 2 English classes instead of an elective.

Anonymous wrote:Is this something that is possible? My DD wants to finish high school in 3 years but would need to figure out how to get the English credit. School is tough for her (on a social-emotional level- academically, it is easy). She has an IEP but she still struggles, has no friends, and hates school. Her dream is to graduate a year early and then go to MC for a year or two before going to a larger school. Just curious if this is possible.

Is the math requirement the concern? 4 years of participation?

Is this something that is possible? My DD wants to finish high school in 3 years but would need to figure out how to get the English credit. School is tough for her (on a social-emotional level- academically, it is easy). She has an IEP but she still struggles, has no friends, and hates school. Her dream is to graduate a year early and then go to MC for a year or two before going to a larger school. Just curious if this is possible.