Alternative schooling?

[latteromden]

(I'm not entirely sure where to put this, so I'm just going to stick it here.)

Right, so, I'm a high school student who's struggling with school, but not because it's difficult - it's not challenging enough. I'm a freshman, and we were talking about putting me in AP classes, but the school refused because of the "age gap," (come on, I'm probably one of the youngest on this forum, don't tell me that I can't handle an age gap!) even though they agreed that those classes would be very good for me. In junior year, I have the chance to go to college at the University of Minnesota full time. Unfortunately, they've told me that I need to wait until my junior year before we can really do anything about my classes.

I won't wait two years for a decent education.

I'm hardly into my first year of high school, and it's already frustrating beyond belief. I don't have a single challenging class, and I know many of the things that are being taught; not to mention the fact that I learn a lot faster than my classmates, and I could easily complete a semester long class in one quarter. The classes I would like to take just aren't options, and I tend to learn better independently than I do with any of the methods that I've seen used in all my years of public schooling. The school isn't willing to work with us to change anything, either - they said they would, but they will never do it. They're trying as hard as possible to keep me there, and they refuse to discuss other options (homeschooling, etc.) because it's not in the interest of the school, but they're not doing anything to keep me there.

Truthfully, I would also like more time to work on my own projects. Some students choose homeschooling because they're dancers, skaters, singers, actors, whatever, but me, I'd like to be more involved in politics and not miss school because of it. My future career will almost certainly be a political one, and I would like to be able to possibly do an internship for a local representative or senator (I was already an intern for the Kerry campaign), and be able to devote a good chunk of time to it. Furthermore, I have a history of illness. I've missed three weeks of school this year because of that fact. The school is completely inflexible and refuse to accept the fact that hey, I'm not skipping (now watch, I get a personal call from Gov. Pawlenty saying I can't get my driver's license when I turn 16 because of all my absences - oh, doesn't he just have wonderful policy ideas?)!

We don't know where to look, though. I think that the most suitable thing would be online schooling - but I can't find a school that has a range of classes that satisfies me. The next best option is homeschooling - but how would we go about that? What are the restrictions? How do we get started?

Help is very much appreciated; thanks in advance. :D

[Maple]

1. There are two kinds of education

One you get in school that gives you a little piece of paper with your credentials on it, and the kind you get yourself by reading, thinking, and interfacing with the world.

They do NOT, at any time, in today's society, both happen in the same place.

Finish your formal education online. High school should be a breeze for you, or you can skip that and go straight on through university.

But you have to have that piece of paper. An IQ of 200 but without that paper...means you spend the rest of your life with menial work and no money. A 200 watt lightbulb is useless if it isn't plugged in.

What you NEED, internally, mentally, is what you do on your own.


On edit: sorry, I never remember when posting to an American site that our educational systems are different. In Canada, a college is a trade school. Most people go on to university after high school. Then grad school for a Masters and above.

[kostya]

2. Do you have a local community college? Ours here has a TON

of classes. Maybe most of them would be too bone-headed for you, but I'll bet you can find some that are challenging. Otherwise, try to find a career area that interests you and start phoning and knocking on the doors of companies or individuals who do that kind of work and see if you can apprentice or intern with them. This is really the very best way to learn something about the real world that could be invaluable to you.

And remember this, the typical job search goes like this:
No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, No, YES.

Good luck! - K

[latteromden]

5. Thanks; I'll look into the community colleges 'round here. There must be

SOMETHING.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[latteromden]

6. Yeah, I was thinking about getting my GED, because I know that would be

acceptable to colleges, considering another one of my main worries is what colleges will accept as equivalents to a public or private school education.

Well, let's see. Prior to this campaign, my main goal was the Senate or the governorship, but I think I'd like to do some more behind-the-scenes campaign work before that. It's addicting. :P Thanks!

[vpigrad]

4. Homeschoolers are usually political freaks..

so that would be a good experience for your future in politics. I deal with about 30 pairs of parents that homeschool, because the owner of my company allows them to have once a month meetings in our conference room. You won't have to associate with a group like that, but it's much easier for you if you do. They can help handling all the many details associated with the process. Consider them a type of union.

[NJCher]

7. Create your own "gifted" program

That's what I had to do because in the small town where I grew up, they didn't have one "way back when." Feeling underchallenged like you, at the beginning of each semester I simply went to each instructor with my own "syllabus," which I'd planned out myself. It included a bibiography and a list of projects I would complete. It goes without saying that my plans were way more ambitious than those the instructor had for the class.

Each teacher worked with me and in fact, most were more than happy to accommodate a student who was so engaged in learning. I did this all the way through college, too. I only had two teachers in eight years of high school and undergraduate work who refused to work with me in the manner I proposed.

If you are able to pull this off (I don't know how good your organizational and persuasive abilities are and that is critical), then you have the full resources of your school (library, etc.) with which to work.


Cher

[Muzzle Tough]

8. Something to think about.

If your government school has let you down so much, do you really think you'd be happy spending your whole life doing a career in politics?

Think about all the government school bureaucrats who have prevetned you from getting the kind of education that you'd like to get.

Now imagine spending your entire adult career working with people like that.

Please consider a career in the private sector, where your skills and talents will be viewed as an asset, instead of as a liability.