My kids are all earning college credits for advanced placement courses while still in High School. That's the way to go, if a similar program is available. I took the old CLEP tests back in the day and earned two years of undergraduate study in two days that was accepted in a major university.
The thing to do is to keep her growing and keep her excited about learning. That's the best attitude to have. Maybe the state parks or wildlife depts have volunteer programs. If she's into biology and likes critters she could be mentored by folks with Master's and Doctorates. Or perhaps a local natural history museum has a volunteer program.
I think the key is finding what you really like to DO and to do that. In time, you will become the kind of person you admire. Selling yourself short will only land you in a role of posting whimsy on the Internet.
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My kids are all earning college credits for advanced placement courses while still in High School. That's the way to go, if a similar program is available. I took the old CLEP tests back in the day and earned two years of undergraduate study in two days that was accepted in a major university.
The thing to do is to keep her growing and keep her excited about learning. That's the best attitude to have. Maybe the state parks or wildlife depts have volunteer programs. If she's into biology and likes critters she could be mentored by folks with Master's and Doctorates. Or perhaps a local natural history museum has a volunteer program.
I think the key is finding what you really like to DO and to do that. In time, you will become the kind of person you admire. Selling yourself short will only land you in a role of posting whimsy on the Internet.
There is a major university here but I'm totally unfamiliar with the opportunities they might have for her since she's still in HS. There is also a community college where she'll be taking general classes until she graduates. She's more into chemistry than biology but she loves it regardless. I wish I could find a good mentor for her, but I just don't know how to go about doing that.
I'm thinking of speaking to her guidance counselor at school for ideas for next fall. She'll get her driver's license in September and can drive herself, since I work 12 hr shifts and it's difficult for me to help her get to places she needs to be.
My baby is growing up fast!
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Have you checked into Illinois Math & Science Academy? It is a public residential school that is specifically directed towards very high achieving students. A friend I work with went to school there and had excellent things to say about the program. I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable sending my 15 yr old to boarding school, but it does work for some people. At a minimum, they may be able to provide guidance on how to challenge her academically.
Have you checked into Illinois Math & Science Academy? It is a public residential school that is specifically directed towards very high achieving students. A friend I work with went to school there and had excellent things to say about the program. I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable sending my 15 yr old to boarding school, but it does work for some people. At a minimum, they may be able to provide guidance on how to challenge her academically.
No, that wouldn't work for me. My son left in Jan to finish HS in another state and I'm having enough of a hard time dealing with that. I have three more years with my daughter and I want every last day. Thanks for the advice anyway. Under other circumstances, I'd consider it.
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Honestly, I would have her start taking some of the general ed college courses as soon as she is able or the college/tech school will let her. Once she DOES graduate HS she will have a dozen or more credits in the bag and already be a semester ahead of everyone else starting.
Good advice. Actually there are laws. If she is tested and found gifted (if you ask for her to be tested, by law they must and have a limited number of days to do so) you can structure an IEP which is a taylored education plan for her. She will have legal rights just like a handicappped child would. It would increase her chances for scholarships if she has college hours to along with H.s. grades.
Good advice. Actually there are laws. If she is tested and found gifted (if you ask for her to be tested, by law they must and have a limited number of days to do so) you can structure an IEP which is a taylored education plan for her. She will have legal rights just like a handicappped child would. It would increase her chances for scholarships if she has college hours to along with H.s. grades.
They might do this in the big city schools, but the small town schools she's always went to don't have the funding this kind of thing requires. I've already been down this road before and one schools solution was to offer her more of the same work to do.
This school has certain funding for handicapped kids and certain funding for gifted kids. They are doing what they can for her, it's just that I want more than what they can offer. She's been tested no less than 4 times and has been in advanced classes since 3rd grade (except when she was in 6th grade because the school was too small and didn't have advanced classes).
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They might do this in the big city schools, but the small town schools she's always went to don't have the funding this kind of thing requires. I've already been down this road before and one schools solution was to offer her more of the same work to do.
This school has certain funding for handicapped kids and certain funding for gifted kids. They are doing what they can for her, it's just that I want more than what they can offer. She's been tested no less than 4 times and has been in advanced classes since 3rd grade (except when she was in 6th grade because the school was too small and didn't have advanced classes).
Hey, seems like she would be bumping the edges no matter what school she would be in. The educational system is so dumbed down, it actually promotes mediocrity. I hope she can find the right path because this country needs high performers in math and the sciences. College courses along with her HS courses sounds like the best choice, it is important to know her majors ASAP so that the courses she takes don't waste her time.
__________________ For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God. (Romans 14:11- NASB)
You know what is funny, when I was in high school I hated kids like yours! They made me feel so dumb! Now, I rejoice when I see Christian kids that are excelling.
Hey, seems like she would be bumping the edges no matter what school she would be in. The educational system is so dumbed down, it actually promotes mediocrity. I hope she can find the right path because this country needs high performers in math and the sciences. College courses along with her HS courses sounds like the best choice, it is important to know her majors ASAP so that the courses she takes don't waste her time.
I totally agree.
I say contact the college in your town and talk to someone about the interning opportunities they offer the students and MAKE an opportunity for her to get some hands on experience. Who knows...she could be the trail-blazer for a high school internship program and in 10 years there will be a scholarship named after her!
It helped me tremendously working in engineering internships throughout high school to know which field I wanted to go into. (I'm a Chemical Engineer) And with all my experience it was no problem getting internships while in college. By the time I graduated I had no problem getting a job....my problem was choosing between my offers!
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