Comments on: How to “Smart Out” of High School http://www.mayafrost.com/blog/2009/03/30/smart-out-of-high-school/ Bold Moves in International Lifestyle Design Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:36:46 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: admin http://www.mayafrost.com/blog/2009/03/30/smart-out-of-high-school/comment-page-1/#comment-985 admin Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:04:07 +0000 http://www.mayafrost.com/blog/?p=456#comment-985 Hi Casey, Well, any parent who wants their kid to go to college will have to bite the bullet eventually, but there are likely to be MORE funds available to smart outs (or at least programs that cover part of the costs) than for regular new CC students who are 18. It depends on the state and the particular college, but don't discount CC as an option until you've checked out the possibilities for financial assistance. In addition, if you qualify for financial aid, it may go farther at a CC than at a state or private university AND there are some great scholarships available for CC students who want to study abroad, especially for minorities. (In my book, I explain how going abroad as a community college student can save thousands while getting an almost identical experience as you'd pay for a state or private university study abroad program.) If there are no family funds available and you do not qualify for financial aid, an apprenticeship option can be a great boost. It doesn't have to be through a program--there are plenty of students who find mentors who simply like to share their knowledge and would like to have someone around to help with tasks without paying them. As long as nobody is getting taken advantage of (unwillingly, at least!) this is a great way to get experience in an area of interest and develop skills that can help land a job. Some students with tight budgets are choosing to do an apprenticeship to enable them to get the skills they need to get a part-time job later that will help them pay for college courses. And check with the community college about mentorship programs. There are some that are offered to students in need and come with college credits at reduced costs! Hi Casey,
Well, any parent who wants their kid to go to college will have to bite the bullet eventually, but there are likely to be MORE funds available to
smart outs (or at least programs that cover part of the costs) than for regular new CC students who are 18. It depends on the state and the particular
college, but don’t discount CC as an option until you’ve checked out the possibilities for financial assistance.

In addition, if you qualify for financial aid, it may go farther at a CC than at a state or private university AND there are some great scholarships available for CC students who want to study abroad, especially for minorities. (In my book, I explain how going abroad as a community college student can save thousands while getting an almost identical experience as you’d pay for a state or private university study abroad program.)

If there are no family funds available and you do not qualify for financial aid, an apprenticeship option can be a great boost. It doesn’t have to be through a program–there are plenty of students who find mentors who simply like to share their knowledge and would like to have someone around to help with tasks
without paying them. As long as nobody is getting taken advantage of (unwillingly, at least!) this is a great way to get experience in an area of interest and
develop skills that can help land a job. Some students with tight budgets are choosing to do an apprenticeship to enable them to get the skills they need to get a part-time job later that will help them pay for college courses.

And check with the community college about mentorship programs. There are some that are offered to students in need and come with college credits at reduced costs!

]]> By: Casey http://www.mayafrost.com/blog/2009/03/30/smart-out-of-high-school/comment-page-1/#comment-977 Casey Thu, 02 Apr 2009 06:54:05 +0000 http://www.mayafrost.com/blog/?p=456#comment-977 I really like the smart out idea but in the current economic times some parents and kids probably can`t afford to jump to the CC and pay for education , are there any programs that help out the lower income families that have potential kids and want to send them to CC on a small budget? I really like the smart out idea but in the current economic times some parents and kids probably can`t afford to jump to the CC and pay for education , are there any programs that help out the lower income families that have potential kids and want to send them to CC on a small budget?

]]> By: admin http://www.mayafrost.com/blog/2009/03/30/smart-out-of-high-school/comment-page-1/#comment-955 admin Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:53:31 +0000 http://www.mayafrost.com/blog/?p=456#comment-955 Hi Charlie, It's nearly impossible to get accurate numbers on this, as you can imagine, but in addition to the traditional fast-trackers who are choosing the AP/IB or dual enrollment route are plenty of kids who are bright but just not engaged in school either due to the social setting or the education offerings. I think we probably lose a lot of students who would thrive if they were given a chance to smart out--they don't like the "drop out" label so forge ahead, but they lose interest in higher education because they're afraid it will be a continuation of a dissatisfying experience. If only they had a chance to skip the two years of the doldrums and dive into the learning they love, they'd be on fire and thrilled about blasting ahead rather than feeling that they're just not cut out for college. Of course, there are other ways to smart out--some early birds take their SATs at 15 and apply through special early-entrance programs at state or private universities. But I'm not necessarily promoting the idea of sending 16 year olds to live on campus in a dorm setting--though this can work beautifully for some students. Instead, I'm saying that replacing the last couple of years of high school with community college or a combination of exhilarating learning options can really catapult some kids forward--and it's a crying shame that more students aren't given that option (and the support to pursue it). Hi Charlie,

It’s nearly impossible to get accurate numbers on this, as you can imagine, but in addition to the traditional fast-trackers who are choosing
the AP/IB or dual enrollment route are plenty of kids who are bright but just not engaged in school either due to the social setting or the education
offerings. I think we probably lose a lot of students who would thrive if they were given a chance to smart out–they don’t like the “drop out” label so forge ahead, but they lose interest in higher education because they’re afraid it will be a continuation of a dissatisfying experience. If only they had a chance to skip the two years of the doldrums and dive into the learning they love, they’d be on fire and thrilled about blasting ahead rather than feeling that they’re just not cut out for college.

Of course, there are other ways to smart out–some early birds take their SATs at 15 and apply through special early-entrance programs at state or private universities. But I’m not necessarily promoting the idea of sending 16 year olds to live on campus in a dorm setting–though this can work beautifully for some students. Instead, I’m saying that replacing the last couple of years of high school with community college or a combination of exhilarating learning options can really catapult some kids forward–and it’s a crying shame that more students aren’t given that option (and the support to pursue it).

]]> By: Charlie A. Roy http://www.mayafrost.com/blog/2009/03/30/smart-out-of-high-school/comment-page-1/#comment-931 Charlie A. Roy Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:53:27 +0000 http://www.mayafrost.com/blog/?p=456#comment-931 @ Maya An intriguing post. What percentage of high school students have what it takes to "smart out" of high school? I'm curious. I know in my own building of a number of students who may benefit from this approach. I don't want to advise my way out of a job but I do want what is best for my students. @ Maya
An intriguing post. What percentage of high school students have what it takes to “smart out” of high school? I’m curious. I know in my own building of a number of students who may benefit from this approach. I don’t want to advise my way out of a job but I do want what is best for my students.

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