The Path Home to College: February 2016

There have been some (from my vantage point) significant new considerations and modifications to our plans, therefore our curriculum.

There have been quite a few "courses" (curriculum activities) implemented/initiated over the last year or 2 that we've been slowly engaging in towards completion. Such as:

Chemistry - Haley has had some chemistry, but no lab.

Current Events - in associated with Team Policy debate last year, combined with Extemporaneous Speaking this year.

***

As I worked more on transcripts (with high-school level course work complied) I realize that Haley has some 20+ credits for classes taken, or almost completed (excluding current semester work).

By this summer, her chemistry will be complete (she's taking an intensive lab course next week encompassing 1 year of chemistry labs). Also there are a couple of final exams to prepare for, and administer, in order for her to receive high-school credit for a couple of social science classes.

So by Summer's end, she'll have 30 credits (which exceeds Texas' high-school graduation requirement)!!

***

Initially I was entertaining the thought of extending middle school, have her retake some of the classes (particularly science, such that she'll have an advantage as she prepares for AP exams, SAT Subject tests, and Olympiad/Competitive contests). Imagine, taking *another* year of biology, and then retaking the Biology Olympiad? Or how about taking physics without calculus this upcoming year (while concurrently enrolled in pre-calc) and then retaking AP physics the following year (or years) at a more advanced level? By the time she went to University, she'd be GREAT at physics. AND she would/could participate in competitive physics competitions.

Extending middle-school would give her time to find a research mentor, and participate in original scientific research. Since her AGE corresponds with current 7th grade, why not have her BE a 7th grader? She would be a *remarkable* 7th grader, and STILL have time (2 years) to really collect some gems before even stepping foot into a high-school - such that her entire high-school record is exceptional!! She'd graduate a tad bit later (at age 18), which would be key if she is to go away to Germany, or even the Northeast for college. Actually, even going to New Orleans or Atlanta would yield a more positive experience for her if her pre-frontal cortex is completely developed (i.e. if she's a bit older and mature).

So I was READY to extend middle school. Actually started talking to HER about it. And even made some "labeling" modification and curriculum adjustments.

I will admit, I started getting anxious about "where to get this advanced curriculum" for Haley because, IF she is a current 7th grader - she'll require such advanced math and science in a few years, that where will I get that outside of a college campus?

I do NOT want to decelerate her simply because she's young, or because I don't KNOW HOW to find challenging academic coursework. And paying a tutor to teach her won't 'credentialize' the advanced material. In *middle school* the credentialing isn't critical, but in high-school (or COLLEGE level work) you WANT credentials. Cleps maybe? I wasn't sure.

***

So I took a trip up to the local community college (after contemplating this option for about 6 months). Talked to many people (spent all day up there). Turned in papers, took Haley up there. Did a short tour. Meet with an academic advisor. And it became clear that...

...we SHOULD have Haley take math and science at the community college. Its close to our home. The credits transfer to other Texas schools (and realistically, with the cost value of college here, her most likely college will be in Texas). There is free tutoring, academic study groups and labs. And allows her to continue working in math and science at a higher level without ME having to find, vet, and hire individual, high-caliber instructors, privately. (There are other options, but they have various considerations and 'draw-backs' too). Anyway...

One thing led to another.

And in preparing the transcripts for submission to community college...

...it became clear that she was academically ready (i.e. would have all the requirements within the year) to *officially* graduate high-school start college.

That would mean....she is suddenly (essentially) a high-school junior NOW. And a rising senior! That would mean that next year, as she takes her dual-enrollment courses as the community college, she'll be a senior. At 14 years old.

Which means that she should probably do an additional year at community college. Because she's so young! No dorm will allow her to move in. And any college work will require some support from us to help transport her, purchase the correct supplies, and, yes, make sure she's organized and studying - afterall, she doesn't stop being 14 years old!!

So that is the route we are exploring now!!

Enroll in community college for 2 courses (math and science). Take the rest of her high-school courses via homeschool (finish up courses started, and double-up as necessary on whatever other requirements that need to be met) for a 2017 graduation in May.

Additionally, it makes sense to study for and take the ACT because that's a transferable achievement test that will come in handy for many years to come (especially if she does well). The last time she took the ACT was at age 12 for the talent search. Also, a great score might help with transfer to UT Dallas (or other nearby University, because at 15 or 16 years old, even as a junior, she'll still need to be close to home - and we have no plans to move soon). While we "work through" all of this, it makes sense that (for social reasons) Haley doesn't want this broadcasted within her peer groups. Actually, she wants to appear "normal" and "apart of" the peer group(s). In using social media to her *advantage* and not as a source of anxiety, we opted to marinate on this internally and wait and see how things pan out (i.e. what the Universe has in store for her and for us).

Stay-tuned.