When we hear of someone graduating from high school at fifteen or sixteen we naturally think, “Wow, that must be some whiz kid!”
But how about typical students: can they graduate at age sixteen and still have a quality education? The answer is, “Yes.” Read on.
When I went to high school, my fellow students and I just assumed that it would take a full year to finish each grade level. The studies weren’t particularly hard – it was just a matter of putting in the time. The only thing affected by our diligence was our GPA, not our graduation date.
If anyone had asked us, “would you like to graduate in half the time by studying twice as much?” many of us would have answered, “YES, what do we have to do?” We simply didn’t know that option was available.
In actual fact most schools have a vested interest to keep students on board until they are seventeen or eighteen.
This interest is two-fold.
First, the curriculum is set up to be delivered on a September to June schedule for each grade level. A student moving at a faster pace would require a custom program and personal attention by his educators on a year-round basis.
Second, the school’s income from the state is based on the number of students they have on-board. Even private schools receive more income if a student stays with them longer. A student graduating a year or two early would reduce either budget proportionately.
Also, public schools (called state schools in England) have a dual purpose in our society: 1) education AND 2) keeping young people occupied and off the street until they are old enough to join the workforce. With this in mind it would be counter-productive for public schools to encourage young people to graduate early.
But how about the fifteen-year-old student who has big plans and wants to get on with his life? He CAN graduate early, but he needs to find a school that will work with him. He’ll probably want to include the summer months in his schedule. He’ll need a custom program and educators who will work with him personally. In very rare cases this has happened in public schools. Early graduation is available at some private schools, but you usually have to ask for it.
If you know someone who wants to graduate early, let them know this option is available.
May your studies be rewarding.
