What are alternative choices for high schoolers who do not do so well in school? By that I mean just passing, not excelling or a straight A student.

A university would be great, but you can't get in if your grades are under par, correct?

I have heard about tech schools - is that a good option?
Community college?

What are your thoughts or experiences?

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I think tech/community colleges are a great idea my dh graduated from one last year with all A's & he didnt do so great in HS so it may just be if its something they are interested they will do great. My dh did wait about 10yrs to go back to school though & went back for the field he was working in & the employer also paid for it & now hes got a way way better job so it was all worth it.

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mom of 3 greats girls

Community college would be a wonderful choice! I went with a guy in high school who was well below average on grades there, but in community college he did great, it's totally different. And you get to take more of the things you want. When they give the placement tests, if you need Algebra again, you'll have it, if not then on to calculus. Same with reading, you'll have a placement test and they will place you in the class you need to be in. (All of this was how they did it when I went a long time ago, but I can't imagine much has changed)

You can always give it a try, it's a good confidence builder for a larger college and then if the grades are better, the low high school grades aren't as big of a deal when you go to transfer.


I think the bigger question is what does your child want to do? Would college even be something they would want? or is there intrest in something vocational?

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"A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." ~ Bernard Meltzer

Picking higher education needs to be based on what this person would like to do with their life. Are they looking for a tech type job?? How about hairdressing?? Have they not decided so that paying for an education would just be a waste of money or a journey of new majors??

I firmly believe that there are many out there that need to step away, get a job and figure out what they want to do. Going straight into college or any other schooling with no plan can lead to failure, frustration and a lot of wasted money or loans that have to be paid.

The trade unions are also an excellent source of education for those who don't like the daily classroom agenda.

we homeschool our highschooler, and she attends community college as well. She isn't a straight-A student, but does well enough to pass all her classes in college. By the time she is 18 she will have her associates degree.

Good luck with your options.

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SPJRNTGADL!

I have always thought that community college is a great way to go. Lots of people are late bloomers or do better in a less regulated environment. Two years of community college allows a little maturing time, and time to decide what to do next. My son went to a four year college for a little over a year and did poorly. We told him to come home and go to community college. He did well there but only took history, social study type classes and lit classes. Did exceptionally well in them but had no idea what to do. So then we suggested one of the armed services. He went into the Navy and was stationed at Pt Magu in CA. They offered a degree in aviation management given by SIU, (Souther Illinois U.). We live in St. Louis and my kid ended up getting his degree in aviation management from a nearby Illinois college while in California and the only time he set foot on campus was when he graduated. Now he works in computers. Go figure!

We are looking at the same options. DS is 16 an isn't doing so hot in school. (he still doesn't have his permit because I won't sign till he's grades suit me) Technical school is most likely the way we are going to go. They have several options that he is interested in.

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Like others have said, it depends what the student wants to do in life. What kind of career are they interested in? Some careers are best suited for a technical school, some you need to go the college route. For a few, you will just need on the job training.
If college is the preferred route, I would suggest a junior college or community college for the basics. Generally a lower GPA is required of the student to be admitted. It usually costs less to attend the smaller schools. The first two years are general ed. studies which can be transferred to a four year university if needed. If the high school GPA /scores are not high enough to get admitted to a university, then by all means go the junior college route to prove they can do it and improve the odds of getting into the college of choice.

DS only liked HS because of the socializing ... hardly ever turned in homework (I got to know the teachers REALLY WELL ). After school he went to a "car mechanics college" and graduated in the top 5%. I know that eventually he will want to go to "real" college, by then he will be able to make decent money and go to school.
A very smart (and old) professor told me once that especially boys are much better off growing up a little before they hit school again after HS.

April, what does he want to do? Community college also has classes for tech stuff like medical, automotive, etc. so that way he can see if he likes college while still learning a trade - if he likes college, the credits will easily transfer.

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"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

His interests are mainly drawing; by hand and on the computer.

I really appreciate all the advice, input and info given so far. Thanks you guys.

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l/ l/ l/
Dont go through life,
GROW through life

Real eyes...realize...real lies.

mention to him that graphic artists can make a TON of money if they have the right training...

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"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus