|
Post by Niki on Aug 18, 2006 17:50:44 GMT -5
As some of you may know, I started high school on Monday and it's not going too well. It's a bad atmosphere, the majority of the teachers are mediocre and it's just not working for me. I've never liked school even though I get pretty good grades. I was homeschooled through middle school because the schools are all pretty much dangerous & ghetto and the charter school I was attending was a complete disaster. My parents won't let me go back to homeschooling because my mom doesn't feel she can properly prepare me for college. So, what I was thinking was I can take 2 or 3 classes at my high school and do the rest through Florida Virtual School. The program has gotten great reviews and is for students that can work independtly, basically what I was doing through middle school. I can also set my own pace. I'm not anti-social, I (think) I have pretty good communication skills so I don't think the "lack" of social interaction will be a negative factor, plus I'd be in school for about 3 hours a day with peers. Although in my school that's not neccesarily a positive thing I also feel that some people are just not wired for school and I think I may be one of them. I've always disliked school but in the charter middle school I attended and my new high school, I'm really miserable. Sorry to ramble on for so long, but I'd like to hear some opinions on what you guys think of this situation and the virtual school. I've noticed some of you are parents. What would you guys do if you were in my place or my parents? Please help!
|
|
|
Post by kallietop on Aug 18, 2006 18:29:21 GMT -5
IMO - your not going to excell if your unhappy. if your mom was willing to homeschool you for 3 years - i think the florida virtual school would be a good idea. one of the big worries on homeschooling is socialization. if you would be with your peers or have been social that doesn't sound like a problem. even tho i'm WAAAAY yes WAAAAAY to young to be your mother (uh - we'll forget my daughter is 11 and i had her at 22) my opinion would be to make your learning environment comfortable for you. if you are hating it - your grades are going to reflect it and your college choices are going to be limited are even void if you quit. - each state has it's own laws on dropping out. i would be all for the combo you want. the majority of virtual schools are good and you would b attending some classes in school which should put your mother's fear of you not being prepared for college to rest. and since you want my opinion i have to ask (don't be mad) - you were homeschooled for 3 years. you haven't been in the strict classroom environment since elementary school. i know you were dreading this before school started. i know you hate it but do you think you gave it a fair try?? or maybe it is because you "knew" you'd hate it? have you honestly given it an open mind? sorry - i love ya but i had to put those questions up to be fair!! IMO - your idea doesn't sound bad. have you suggested this to your parents??? because if they say no you don't have a choice. then you will have to pull some kind of positive out of your and do it. if you haven't proposed this to them plan it out first. don't do the complaining thing. you are mature so approach them with the facts. what your points are and why they are important for your immediate schooling and for your future etc. unfort. hun - if you try all this and they say no - there isn't a damn thing you can do. don't let the crappy school make you get bad grades etc. you can always try again after a semester. the more you show them you are responsible the more open the will be to listen! just don't whine and complain. they will turn their ears off so fast!!!!!!!! sorry this was long!!!!!
|
|
|
Post by minkie on Aug 18, 2006 19:15:45 GMT -5
Hmm It's a toughie...but coming from a student's perspective, do you think virtual schooling would prepare you for college? You would be missing a lot of the social interaction stuff you will have to deal with eventually in post secondary schooling. From personal experience, I know if I did virtual schooling I wouldn't have been as ready for university. Its more than just learning the data, its how to do presentation in front of people and work in groups, getting feedback face-to-face on essays, that sort of thing.
I think the combo idea sounds good if you're truly that unhappy.
But another thing to consider, like Kallie said...its only been a few days. You might not be giving yourself enough time to adjust here, if you've done home schooling for so long.
|
|
|
Post by Niki on Aug 18, 2006 20:32:54 GMT -5
Charity, No I won't be mad at anyone's opinions. I've been trying to give it a shot. I'm trying to psyche myself up and thinking positive. I really feel like I'm giving it a shot and I know it's only been the first week, it's just that I've always felt this way about school. Now it's a lot stronger. I suggested to my mom that she consider the virtual if I still haven't adjusted in a month or 9 weeks and she said she'd really think about it. My dad...I'm a little worried about. I don't really know how he'd react to it. And Minkie thank you for responding. The social interacting issue I think would be dealt with through the classes I'd be taking. I'm also looking into how colleges recognize virtual schooling. I don't want to screw myself up either way. What I really like about the virtual school is that a lot of students have received recognition for their high scores, they've done well in school related competitions, receive scholarships, etc. It doesn't seem like they just goof off or anything.
Another question; The high school I'm going to hasn't really done too well in things like that or in state tests. It's been a C school for about 6 years. A lot of kids flunk and repeat their grades, have low G.PA scores (0.5, 0.9). Is that the norm everywhere?
Thank you sooo much for your thoughts.
|
|
|
Post by minkie on Aug 18, 2006 20:49:07 GMT -5
No prob hon. It's great that you are checking everything out before you rush into it. Definitly check into how colleges regard virtually schooling, that's a big concern.
I don't know about school stats, sorry. But I hope it all works out for you!
|
|
|
Post by donutqueen on Aug 18, 2006 21:27:05 GMT -5
have you looked into colleges that start early? I remember when I started looking into schools (late 80s) there was one that took kids at 16 or something like that- you finished HS and did college there. I dont remember the name though, sorry
What about a different school? Here there are several Highschools and they are VERY different... some excellent, others completely suck.
The virtual school thing sounds great- you get some time with kids your own age, but you also wont hate classes all day. What about extra-ciric stuff? Drama, newspaper, chorus, whatever... colleges do look for that and if you pick something that you really like it'll be fun to do.
|
|
|
Post by Niki on Aug 18, 2006 21:27:09 GMT -5
I want to wait and see what happens and if things are still the same, I'll go schedule an appointment with the guidance counsler. He's the one suggested the virtual school in the first place. When I went to go register this summer he explained how you can either us FLV school as a method of homeschooling, a way to get extra credits while attending traditional school or doing a bit of traditional and virtual school at the same time. Thanks again for your help guys. Karma for you.
|
|
|
Post by kallietop on Aug 18, 2006 21:28:17 GMT -5
OMG - the elementry school kallie went to - 90% of students were on honor roll thru the rest of their schooling (thru highschool) that is a very high stat but still. average of C - that really sucks. and a lot of repeating grades?? your school is not the norm. and unfort. schools with low averages and high grade repeat tend to teach easier material. every state has goals for each year. like 6th grade here is world history opposed to 5th grade american history. but the content isn't always the same. states and countys want good stats for more funding. ( ;D ;D can you tell i'm a mom) i'm not as worried about the average - you could excell but the level of material will kick you in the when you go to college. that is a worry. sit and talk with your dad. see if your plan is acceptable for him. check into the virtual schools. many are considered the same as normal school and won't affect you getting into college. you are taking the same classes, tests etc. but there are some money making bunks out there. but virtual schools are considered private school while regular homeschooling is considered public schools. (can you tell i've looked into this for my daughter) - you get a regular diploma, records to send to colleges etc.
|
|
|
Post by Niki on Aug 18, 2006 21:41:53 GMT -5
!!! Charity you're the best! That last paragraph is really helpful. I didn't know that about home schooling or virtual schools. I don't know if I would be a home schooler attending a few classes at a traditional high school or a traditional high schooler taking courses at home.... And World History is in 6th grade over where you live? That's what I was doing in the middle school I went to and while I was home. I'm taking it again this year! I'm also doing Algebra 1, Earth and Space Science and English 1. Your spot on about the material. It seems fairly simple but it won't be the case in college. I'm scared of falling behind if I stay. I want to find out the rigor of the virtual classes. I was hoping that a C was average for a school. But I guess not. I have 4 should-be juniors in my science class who keep flunking and another 2 that are taking the course for the third time. It's rare to find more than 10 students that are in their correponding grade for their age. Crap. Well, hopefully everything will work out eventually.
|
|
|
Post by trixie on Aug 18, 2006 21:44:01 GMT -5
I just want to wish Niki all the best. I'm too far behind the times to compare virtual with real. I went to school. I put up with garbage, both from teachers and fellow students. In MY DAY (Dang, how I hate using my grandparents' saying!) you just put up and shut up. I realize it's a whole new world. Niki, all I can say is give it a shot. It sounds like you have other options if it doesn't work out. But sometimes, just sometimes, these experiences can make you a future funny old fart. Nah, don't listen to me. Listen to all the others that have responded. I really have no good advice for you. But I certainly will keep my fingers crossed for you. Good luck, darlin'
|
|
|
Post by Niki on Aug 18, 2006 21:49:00 GMT -5
have you looked into colleges that start early? I remember when I started looking into schools (late 80s) there was one that took kids at 16 or something like that- you finished HS and did college there. I dont remember the name though, sorry What about a different school? Here there are several Highschools and they are VERY different... some excellent, others completely suck. The virtual school thing sounds great- you get some time with kids your own age, but you also wont hate classes all day. What about extra-ciric stuff? Drama, newspaper, chorus, whatever... colleges do look for that and if you pick something that you really like it'll be fun to do. I think I know what you're talking about. My aunt did her final 2 years of high school with college. It's called Dual-enrollment here in Florida. I'm thinking about that for my Junior and senior years posibbly, but that's a while down the road. A short while, but not right now. The high school I'm going to is the only public one I can go to for the area I live in. My parents aren't too keen on Charter or Private schools anymore. I'd like to choose one or two extra curricualr activitities and stick with those for all 4 years. Even if I end up technically being a home schooler again, by law the school has to let me partake in extra curric. activities. Thanks for your thoughts! And thanks to Trixie. Being a funny old fart doesn't sound too bad.... But seriously, thank you for comments. I'm gonna be on here all day giving out karma tomorrow!
|
|
|
Post by donutqueen on Aug 18, 2006 21:50:07 GMT -5
there was an article in my local paper recently about what college admissions people really look for.. hang on I'll search for it, maybe it'll have something you can use
|
|
|
Post by donutqueen on Aug 18, 2006 21:55:15 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by kallietop on Aug 18, 2006 21:56:28 GMT -5
i didn't do much extra activities in highschool but i did do a lot of volunteer work which the colleges loved. i got accepted to every college i applied for. i called elementary schools and help teach little kids to read. i went to nursing homes and just talked to people. i learned sooo much from them and they are very lonely. kallie and i still do volunteer work. that was impressive to the college admission people.
|
|
|
Post by minkie on Aug 18, 2006 22:01:24 GMT -5
It always depends...I didn't do that many extra curricular stuff and I had no problems..but it's different for every school (and country! LOL)
|
|