Wednesday, March 05, 2008

GRADUATION???

I consider our schooling to be very strong *average.* By that, I mean that we are not learning Latin; my children are not winning Spelling Bees nor Science Fairs - we've never even entered.  Krista took Calculus, etc, but no one else has gone beyond Alg 2, the older 3 have taken Chemistry as their top level science, but we've not required it of Jamin as his "bent" is obviously tracking to writing and business. In other words - we are an average family. Our focus has always been character development and "strong" academics, but we aren't the "super-performers" of the world.
I did actually READ the Tapestry of Grace manual last year (after 3 years of use) and discovered if you do each assignment (as our boys do) that it is considered honors and AP.....well this is NEWS to me. ::snort::
I got a call a few days ago from NARHS. They were reviewing Jamin's portfolio. She was VERY impressed. She told me again that our work always shines in the stack. She said that what we are doing is "wonderful," "amazing," "stands out in the crowd," and I'm always shocked. Honestly. We are NOT, by far, the most academic family around. We plod along. We aren't the least academic family I know - we're just a solid average. LOL
She asked about Jamin graduating this year. He's in his Jr year. She said he only needed to take 2 credits to graduate this year. He's taking 12, I think. She said it is totally our decision, but after looking over his work she began to wonder if he may be ready to be "done" with high school and ready to pursue his future.
The state of Maine, where NARHS is situated, only requires 17.5 credits. We wanted him to have at least the 22 that are typically required in states such as TX. He'll have those at the end of this year.
Hmmm.... Jamin had asked about graduating this year and spending his "Sr" year writing. He then came up with 22 credits he wanted to take THIS year, and so, we opted to say this was his Jr year and give him another year to pursue those other credits. We're re-thinking. I don't know if we could get into the whole graduation thing with our support group this late in the year.
The disadvantage of graduating this year is that he would not be able to take dual-credit courses at the local university. He's not talked about doing that - he's talked about writing next year, but I hate to close options.  The advantage is that he could concentrate on his passion - writing. I KNOW he would still do the reading and such for year 2 of TOG as he considers it research for his writing. He'd have time to pursue those tracks (filmmaking, et. al.) that he wants to pursue - he just wouldn't be getting CREDIT for it...but do you need CREDIT in order for learning to be meaningful?
Pray for Jamin and for Mike and I as we seek God's face about what Jamin should do next year. Honestly, is there any reason to graduate EARLY?????? I can't think of a reason to encourage accelerated growing up - they seem to do that all on their own at the speed of light. ::snort::
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7 comments:

Michelle said...

De'Etta, only two of ours have graduated so far--one *late* (19 yrs old) and one *early* (17). Kaila, who graduated at 17, is spending this year pursuing her interests at home--crafts, volunteering, Spanish and music (voice, organ, guitar and piano). Cory is at a vo-tech school studying to become an auto mechanic.

You, Mike and Jamin are pursuing this in the right way--discerning God's will and wanting to do what is best for JAMIN. Each child is different. I'll keep you all in my prayers.

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

Thanks for the encouragement, Michelle.

Yvonne said...

Praying, De'Etta.

Renee said...

Madeleine could have graduated early this year as well. But since she won't even be 17 until Sept we are going to have her complete a fourth year of high school at home. I'm not ready to send her off to college and I know she would benefit from another year at home with her family IN the United States.
I do TOG as honors courses for my high schoolers but a note about AP. The AP notation is copyrighted and it can only go on a high school transcript if the student enrolls in a course approved by the College Board as meeting the AP standards or said student takes the AP exam.

Anonymous said...

Sis:

Will add to our prayer list. Praying for you three.

l/p

Mom T

Kristine said...

Great post, a zillion comments floating around in my head, none particularly standing out to make it on to this!

berrypatch said...

Psssttt....Maine actually has NO requirements for graduation. Each high school sets their own so the 17.5 credits is actually a NARHS rule. They are great aren't they? :-)