graduate at 17 or 18 any downsides to latter

[Caryl]

There have been a few posts on this, but not quite with the spin I am interested in.

 

My daughter has had some serious health issues this year, and as a result is behind. She would be going into 11th grade.

 

I can get her caught up by graduation, but I'm wondering if I should just delay her a year. She has a summer birthday, and so she is a young "on-grade" student.

 

In spite of the difficulties, she scored in the 98 percentile on standardized tests we took this year--after several months doing no math or grammar.

 

I believe she has potential to do very well on the PSATs (National Merit range), but her delays will likely reduce her scores if she takes the tests this fall. In addition, she still has trouble concentrating for any length of time.

 

She is willing to delay graduation a year, and I think it would actually be good for her, health issues aside, to be a bit older before heading off to college.

 

In our state there is no registration or other records that show her to be a coming 11th-grader. If I held her back it could simply look like she had delayed entry from the start.

 

What does the hive think?? What cons am I missing? Is there any issues associated with delaying and taking the PSAT this year as a "sophomore" even tho technically by her birth date she would be considered a junior?

 

I've really been wrestling with this and would appreciate any insight from you.

 

TIA!

[Sharon in MD]

If you live in an area where you can delay for a year, I'd go for it.

 

Your daughter will have the opportunity to regain her health and particularly the ability to sustain concentration. The PSAT is not as long as the SAT or ACT, she is going to need to build her ability to sustain concentration. While the Merits are a worthy goal, the more important thing is doing exceptionally well on the ACT and or SAT.

 

I think her birth date is irrelevant. There are many, many children who are a little older than their classmates for loads of reasons. Some families live abroad for a year, some families have illnesses to deal with, some children are held back for a year for whatever reason.

 

I can't see that there is anything to be gained by pushing her ahead to accelerate, rather the opposite. If she is willing and doesn't feel badly about taking her time, I'd say she is trying to tell you she needs the time.

 

One of my old mentors in homeschooling often reminded us moms that homeschooling is not a race, there is no prize for finishing first. And while you are obviously not trying to race ahead of the pack, I think the principle applies. Pushing ahead has many potential pitfalls, including setbacks to her health and well being. Taking your time seems solid to me.

 

Lastly, it is so important that she begin her college years in good health. I think that by delaying you provide to time for her to be solidly on her feet in body, mind and soul. Full recovery takes much longer than the illness in many cases. Our son had a rocky start to his freshman year due to illness and it really took a toll on him. I don't think there is anything we could have done differently in his case, he became sick during his first term and just had to muddle through. But, I can tell you that he really struggled and it made it a rough start for him. May or may not be relevant to your own situation but I throw it out there anyway.

 

I hope these ramblings make some sense and will be of some help to you.

[Caryl]

You're validating my thinking! I want to launch my children well, not early.

 

The only negative I can see is that a few of her friends (who are not that close) will graduate before her. We had a talk today about how she would feel two years from now when they are all talking about college and she would still have one more year. Even given that she would still rather delay a year.

 

I'm just wondering if there is something I'm missing!

 

Anyone else?

 

Thanks

[Murphy101]

There's no downside to grad at 17.

Many kids in ps do - like my dh.

 

But if she needs a year - there's no downside to giving her a year either.

[Martha in VA]

 

.........and I think it would actually be good for her, health issues aside, to be a bit older before heading off to college.

 

 

 

IMO, this is the real issue, rather than her age at hs graduation. I was able to hear SWB speak in Richmond last weekend. She shared some great thoughts on the benefits of students being a bit older when they go to college. She has also written on her blog about the benefits of a gap year.

 

If your daughter graduates early, you might just want to have a plan for how she'll use her time until she enters college.

 

All that said, I really don't see any problem with graduating a little young.