High School
Changing schools in high school comes with different challenges than changing schools earlier. Juniors and Seniors in high school are preparing their transcripts from 9th grade through the present, gathering teacher recommendations, and taking Advanced Placement tests to prepare for college just around the corner. With all of this on their to do list, moving schools in this time can throw a wrench into their plans.
“When in high school, that is probably the hardest time to move. Parents may feel bad putting the kids in this situation if they really liked their former school and may be resistant to the whole move,” said Rhonda.
Before moving to a new school, get your Junior or Senior high schooler to collect any teacher recommendations they might need for college applications. Getting to know a new teacher at a new school will take time, so it is nice to have a wealth of teacher recommendations to choose from.
One of the hardest things about moving to a new school in late high school is figuring out the class schedule. Before enrolling your teen in a new school, check their class offerings. Will all of their classes transfer over? Some schools have specialty programs in subjects like web design or media arts, that may not transfer well to a smaller school. Another important consideration before choosing a new school is graduation requirements. Every school district’s graduation requirements are a little different. Some schools require two years of foreign language for graduation, while other schools may not offer the classes. If the counselor knows they won’t be able to meet graduation requirements by their graduation date, sign your teen up for online classes so they can get caught up.
“We try to help them meet the graduation requirements of our district, which may not be the same as another school they attended previously,” said Rhonda. “We have had many students from other states who had to make up numerous credits with us to graduate since the requirements were so different. We try to be as flexible as we can with each case and have some online courses that have helped students catch up.”
Moving states in late high school adds other college challenges. To apply for in-state tuition, most colleges require living in the state for at least a year. If your teen is planning to go to school in your new state, make sure they’ll have all the necessary documents to prove their in-state residence.
Questions to on the School Visit
- What is the average class size?
- How much one-on-one attention will my child receive?
- Are there advanced classes available for gifted students?
- What’s the school’s approach to homework?
- How is bullying handled? What is the school’s approach to discipline?
- What extracurricular activities are offered?
- Is there a recess? How long is it? Are physical education classes offered?
- How are arts incorporated into the curriculum? Is there a drama program, art classes, choir, or band?
- Is there an active PTA? How can parents get involved in the school?
- How does the school keep parents in the loop?
- Is child care available before and after school?
- Does the school offer tutoring if the student falls behind?
- What is the dress code?
Check the school’s test scores on GreatSchools. If they are low, ask about it and factor it into your decision.
By Kelsey Sinclair