How to drop out of high school (in the US)

Author: Laura McKinney
Date Of Creation: 2 August 2021
Update Date: 1 July 2024
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How to drop out of high school
Video: How to drop out of high school

Content

Dropping out of middle school in high school is an important decision that many people will regret later. A high school diploma is often a prerequisite for many jobs and universities. However, if you are sure that dropping out of high school is your best solution and not just a temporary emotional response to a negative situation, you need to get it right. It is still a good idea to weigh options and go from official sources. Read this article to learn how to quit high school properly. Alternatively, you can also get help from a trusted adult.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Consider the cause

  1. Consider the reason why you want to quit school. Understanding why you want to drop out of school will help you determine if it is the best direction, and also decide what to do. Some of the more common reasons are:
    • Lack of intellectual stimulation. If you feel discouraged because high school is too easy for you, you will tend to skip high school and go to college or vocational school early.
    • Feeling not ready and being left behind. It is easy to think of leaving school and dropping out of school if you feel that high school is too hard for you or miss so many programs that you cannot keep up, or you have no support.
    • There are other responsibilities. If you become a reluctant parent, have a relative sick, or have to work to support your family, you will feel that leaving high school is the only option that will give you enough time to work.

  2. Refer to other options first. Talk to your school counselor or with someone you trust. There may be another solution to your situation without having to drop out of school:
    • If you find yourself lacking the stimulus to enjoy learning, you can take advanced classes. Some high schools do not offer advanced courses, but can link with other universities or online educational institutions. You can even enroll in parallel studies and complete a two-year college degree at the same time as your high school diploma.
    • If you feel unprepared and fall behind when you are in school, you will have to work hard to keep up with the program. Luckily, the teachers at school are more than willing to help, especially if they know you're planning to quit. You might ask about studying to pay off your course debt or offer to do some classroom work (such as cleaning and organizing) for extra tutoring, then consider what you need to do to get the result. good results.
    • Talk to your school counselor if you have other responsibilities. You can do school jobs to earn money while taking credits. The counselor can find resources to support you while you study. You should remember that the future income of high school graduates will be 50% - 100% higher than those who dropped out of high school, so dropping out of high school is not necessarily the best solution for your family. .

  3. Do not drop out of school for others. If someone like a parent, friend or partner pressures you to drop out of school, tell them not to. This is an issue that only you can decide. You need to have confidence in your decisions, as this will affect your life in the long run. advertisement

Part 2 of 4: The decision to quit school


  1. Come up with a compelling argument. You will have to explain your decision several times to different people. Make sure your arguments are clear and compelling to explain the path you are taking before speaking with people.
    • For example: “I am not suitable for this educational system.Children must not be challenged, are not interested, or have no interest in the teacher or curriculum. I decided to drop out of school so that I could continue to self-study to higher and find an educational institution suitable for my learning goals. ”
    • For example: “I want to quit school because I feel I have no other choice. Because I have missed too much school, I will have to stay for another year if I want to keep up with the program. Even if I continued to study, it would be difficult for me to get a diploma because my grades were too low. If your child leaves school and studies for a supplementary degree and then goes to work, it will be much better ”.
    • You could also say, “I want to quit school so I can work full-time. You may find my decision unreasonable, but I know what I need myself and what my family needs. Making money to support my family is more important than learning the theory I think will never help my life. ”
  2. Ask about high school alternative programs. Many places offer alternative high schools or private schools. Usually these schools have more flexibility and teach in a different way. Students attending alternative high schools can be more mature and often work while they are studying.
    • If your complaint is mainly about the environment and the students at school, perhaps these high schools will be more suitable for you.
    • High schools that offer alternative programs will sometimes allow you to study faster and complete courses earlier.
  3. Plan for the future. Before you really quit school, you need to know what you would do if you didn't continue in high school. Perhaps you will try to take an additional high school diploma or equivalent value. It is important to do this as soon as possible while still interested in learning.
    • If you plan to leave high school for a college / university or vocational school, make sure the program you want to study will award the equivalent of a high school diploma.
    • If you plan to work full-time, make sure you have a job available beforehand. Find out how many hours you get to work, ask about employee benefits like dental insurance and health insurance.
  4. Expect arguments with others. The best way to be willing to answer questions and respond to an adult's response like "are you sure?" is guessing those questions before people ask you. You should anticipate the conversation and come up with answers to questions you will most likely be asked of.
  5. Talk to your guardian. Even if you are 18 years old and able to make your own decisions according to the provisions of the law, you should still share your intention with the person responsible to you up to this point in order to give permission. Explain your reasons, but don't expect them to immediately agree. It will take a while for them to understand what you mean, and they may never think it is the right idea. However, if you are sure and determined, they will usually respect your decision.
    • Prepare a backup plan. The worst case scenario is that your guardian may kick you out if you drop out of school. If you think this is a possibility, you should plan a place to go (at least for the time being).
  6. Talk to a counselor. Go to a counselor and tell them about your plan. Be sure to talk to them about your reasons, your plans for the future, and your guardian's reaction (no matter what). advertisement

Part 3 of 4: Understanding legal regulations

  1. Determine the age that you are allowed to drop out of school. There are different laws in each state in the US, so make sure you know at what age you are allowed to drop out of school. Some states allow students to drop out of school at the age of 16, while in others you won't be able to decide on your own until you turn 18. In some states, you may drop out of school with consent from your legal guardian when you are under the legal age requirement, but others do not allow you to drop out of school before the age of 18, even if have guardian consent. Make sure to know this well before you leave school.
    • If in the US, you can determine the legal age in the state you are living here.
  2. Don't just drop out of school simply. Even if you intend to quit school, you cannot suddenly stop going to school. Your acting without understanding the regulations could have legal consequences for yourself and your guardian.
    • Legally, failing to attend school is often considered truant, and the possible consequences are a fine or a fine for you and your guardian.
    • When you are considered a truant, it will be very difficult to get your equivalent high school diploma.
  3. Understand the testing rules that apply to suspensions in your area. In some states, you may be able to take early leave from school if your guardian agrees and you pass an additional high school diploma or equivalent. Make sure that the state you are in applies this policy.
  4. Talk with your school counselor about the required documents. Each state and each district will have different forms that you and your parents need to fill out. Make sure to get advice from the right person to advise you on what documents to submit and when to apply.
    • Note that the counselor may advise you to change your mind. Prepare for your compelling reasons and be confident in your decision.
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Part 4 of 4: Consider high school equivalency educational programs

  1. Consider online and self-study programs at home. If you pursue these options wholeheartedly, you can earn a degree and still be able to study on your schedule without the social fuss of high school.
  2. Think about a work-study program. This can be a good choice that you can consult with the school. If you are interested in a particular field, consider a work-study program. This way, not only will you be able to complete the program, but also have work available upon graduation ..
  3. If you live in the US, you should think about the "Gateway" program and community colleges. You may also consider applying for a community college early through the Gateway program. If you earn enough credit, some high schools will allow you to transfer to a community college.
  4. Consider what you would like to do later for a living. If you have determined that your studies are not right for you, you may want to start thinking about career pathways in an engineering profession.
  5. Earn a GED (supplementary high school diploma). Usually a GED diploma is considered to be the equivalent of a high school diploma. You can take the GED exam to prove to your employer that you are on a par with other high school diploma holders even though you didn't attend school.
    • In California, USA, students who pass the high school proficiency test will be issued a certificate of high school level by the California Department of Education. While the GED is for students who have dropped out of high school at the age of 17 or older, the California program is for students in the 10th grade or over 16 years old.
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Advice

  • Talk with other dropout students and find out the high school dropout statistics.
  • Think about whether you can live off your work skills, honesty, and job satisfaction while you are still in school. You can go to work after school or on the weekends, but try to maintain a high score in case you still want to graduate from high school.
  • If you decide to drop out of school, try to get your GED and apply to a community college. After all, a two-year college degree is better than none, but a degree depends on what goals you want to achieve.
  • Consider immediate and long-term consequences.
  • Talk with high school and college graduates to find out how learning has impacted them.
  • Don't be afraid to change your mind to stay in school or at a community college.
  • Consider entering a vocational school or community college after you leave high school.
  • Self-study at home is also a great way to continue with your studies.