Alternative school ideas for one semester of high school? (homes, theater)

[peachesplease]

My daughter has accepted a theatre gig with Children's theatre, which will conflict with mornings for a few weeks this fall. We haven't lived here that long and don't know what the options are as far as going an alternative route for school. We want to work with the high school to figure it out, but am wondering what options are there. I never have homeschooled, and prefer not to do that, but will consider it for one semester. Online classes to make up for missing mornings? Has any one had any experience with anything like this?

[MnMomma]

If it's only mornings for a few weeks, and she is a strong student, she should be able to work through it with the school by setting up as light a morning class load as possible and then working directly with each teacher to create a plan for missed class time. Otherwise, you might consider something like Connections Academy--but I think it would be difficult to do that and then transition back to the regular classroom because they will probably be at a different pace in working through the curriculum.

Have you asked the theatre company what other students have done?

[peachesplease]

Thanks for the info. I am trying to gather information right now, and I think that a couple of students have done exactly what you mentioned, but so far the counselors I have talked to at the school haven't been very informative and have put me off, telling me to call them in August. I'd like to be a bit proactive than that. One seemed willing to try to work with us, but another that I talked to went off on a rant about the importance of *seat time*. Nothing about education or learning, mind you, just how important *seat time* is. And started making noises about my child getting in trouble for *truancy*. Her tone was intimidating and somewhat threatening, and got me thinking I should consider all options, though I would much prefer working it out with the current school, rather than leaving for a semester and coming back . . .

I have talked to one mother of a child who did this, and know it can be done, and am hoping to talk to a couple of other high school families who have done this. I'm trying to reach the assistant principal of the school also, as I have been told she has to approve everything, but have not had a return phone call yet.

[Kayekaye]

The schools get some funding by the government for each student each day they are in their seat so they are very strict about any time missed.

I had a really hard time when my daughter was chronically sick even with doctor notes, they told me she was "playing" me and that I was a bad mother. I had to call my state rep to keep her from repeating a grade even though she was getting all A's and B's. Just because she was missing seat time.

So you might be in for a tough road. I'm not fond of home schooling either but it might the way to go to get out from under their policies as a last resort. There are many home school/online classes that might work for you. Good luck.

[golfgal]

Look into virtual school. It's not very good but if theater is the main priority it will be fine. We've never had an issue with our school and extended absences for illness though. Our D was out for almost 2 months last year and 1 1/2 months this year and all we needed was a note from our dr. They have been wonderful actually. They are also very good about setting up the kids schedules to meet their needs.

[peachesplease]

Tks all. I feel hopeful that we will most likely be able to work with the school, having talked to other parents who have done things like this. It seems like most at the school are willing to work with kids who get these kinds of opportunities. If it gets to be too hard we will look into the Minnesota Virtual school. Is that what you were referring to Golfgal? And I suppose the counselor who went on about *seat time* was just trying to do her job as she understands it. I do hate that word, now, though, LOL.

[Kayekaye]

Well I hope it works out for your but be very careful. Get all your agreements with the school in writing. I had many talks with the principal, the teachers and counselors and thought I had it all lined up with doctors notes but when the end of the semester came they didn't care on whit about what we had agreed upon and wanted *seat time* to be obeyed by all means. If I hadn't stuck to my guns and called in the state rep my daughter would have been repeating that grade.

[peachesplease]

Thanks for the advice Kayekaye. They seriously would have made her repeat a grade, even after you jumped through all those hoops? Yikes.