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Would You?

Herrlster

Herrlster

Oct 27, 2004
1,159
19
Ontario, Canada
#1
If you were a principal of a high school would you...

let a student who
- is 17 years of age
- is a year and half behind in credits
- has a reputation for bad attendance
- gets 70%-90% in marks
- has been out of high school system for a year

attend your high school to get his education?

I ask because I am this student...

I plan/hope to return to/attend a high school next September.

I didn't care for going to high school for awhile, I had no will to go. I willingly left my old high school for a bit. Then I started to feel like I was going nowhere (which I was) so I started attending a learning centre. Since going to the learning centre my attendance has improved, I never miss school unless I'm sick. I've learned to appreciate my education and now I want to finish high school and go off to college.

So I want to return to a real high school in September. I'm going to talk to a principal at a certain high school on Monday to see if they will accept me. I have my doubts though, because obviously, I am nowhere near the perfect student.

I really want to get my education though and get a good career. I'm tired of feeling like nothing.

I just thought I'd make this thread to get things off my mind and see what you guys think my chances are of getting back in.
 
#3
Herrlster said:
I really want to get my education though and get a good career. I'm tired of feeling like nothing.
Click to expand...

That's your opener and your closer, right there. If you're sincere, the principal will see it and he'll probably be willing to take a chance on you. If you come off like a snot-nosed brat whose just bored, I'd say you have, oh, just about no chance.

If it's what you *really* want, let the prinicpal see that and you'll be fine.
 
#8
Todd Stanley said:
I graduated last year at 19, skipped over 6 weeks of the year, and got 50's to low 70's, high school is a joke and I treated it like one, and now I work for a real education.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but you live in PEI, where the mud is red, the potatoes are brown, and the girls are...

Well, if you're lucky, they're from Nova Scotia!

J/K! ;) :p
 
#9
Todd Stanley said:
I graduated last year at 19, skipped over 6 weeks of the year, and got 50's to low 70's, high school is a joke and I treated it like one, and now I work for a real education.
Click to expand...

I sense a bit of self-esteem issues in your defensiveness. Sure, life experience is where the most meaningful education occurs, but without some solid fundamentals, you're still going to lag behind those with a good education and the same amount of experience as you. That, and you will lack credentials that could open more doors for you. There's not really a hot market for D students out there.
 
#10
Munjibunga said:
I sense a bit of self-esteem issues in your defensiveness. Sure, life experience is where the most meaningful education occurs, but without some solid fundamentals, you're still going to lag behind those with a good education and the same amount of experience as you. That, and you will lack credentials that could open more doors for you. There's not really a hot market for D students out there.
Click to expand...

And, even less of a market for dropouts.
 
#11
Munjibunga said:
I sense a bit of self-esteem issues in your defensiveness. Sure, life experience is where the most meaningful education occurs, but without some solid fundamentals, you're still going to lag behind those with a good education and the same amount of experience as you. That, and you will lack credentials that could open more doors for you. There's not really a hot market for D students out there.
Click to expand...
+1

With all due respect, doing the bare minimum through high school does close a LOT of doors to you.

If I were the principal and you seemed sincere, I'd let you in. Considering it was only 4-5 years ago they got rid of OAC, it's not unusual to see people graduating high school at 18 or 19 in Ontario. I stayed an extra year myself to pick up some credits because I took a music focus program in my first year of grade 12 that only had 1 credit I could actually use :p.

What I'd suggest is seeing if you can pick up a credit or two during summer school to help expedite this process. Enrollment is still open for it until the end of June, I'm actually picking up a grade 12 math credit myself because it's a recommended course for a 2nd year statistics course I'll be taking in 2nd year university. I stopped taking math after it wasn't mandatory (grade 11.) I'm a little worried just 'cause while did decently at math when I tried, it's been 3 years (2 of grade 12 and 1 at college) since I took a math course :eek: .
 
#12
Yeah I plan on going to summer school and getting some credits so I only have to do an extra year instead of an extra year and a half.

You live in Ontario, I forget how many credits are you able to get in summer school. I remember you are able to get two grade 9 credits during summer school. But I cant remember if it's only one grade 10/11/12 during summer school or two...
 
#13
Hey Herrister,
I am now 38, but was a year 9 dropout. I thought I didnt need school. Although I was extremely bright, in all the top classes, my attitude sucked (prolly still does to an extent).
Needless to say, I dropped out of school, ran riot, got into trouble with the law and spent most of my teenage years in and out of institutions.
About 15 years ago, I went back to college to obtain my Year 12 equiv, which I passed with flying colours. Then on to Uni to study music, then finally SoSci.
That all sounds real great, but, I lost so many years screwin around getting into trouble and wasting my life, by the time I graduated, I was too old to be employed. That is, there were younger kids with the same quals as me, and obviously, more employable.
Dude, do what it takes to finish your schooling NOW! Its refreshing to hear a young bloke who has his head screwed on and knows what he wants and is keen to get back on track.
If one school knocks you back (despite your obvious genuine desire to do this), dont give up. Go to a different school.
For my part, Id like to say good luck, and good on ya. May you enjoy the best life has to offer.
 
#14
I agree with the general consensus. Sell yourself as sincerely wanting to succeed (which I'm sure you are). And when you're finally admitted, show up EVERY DAY, and assume you are on "double secret probation." In other words, don't do anything that could possibly be construed as "screwing off." Best of luck.
 
#16
I don't know about Canada but in the US, primary education is your right untill you reach the age of 25. The principal or anyone else has no say as to whether or not you're "allowed" to attend.

At least that's the way it used to be. High school is about 30 years behind me.
 
#17
Herrlster said:
If you were a principal of a high school would you...
Click to expand...
I'm politics/issue ignorant on this one.

I'd try to make sure I don't judge anyone on similar biases you've listed.

Rather, if the decision rested solely on me, I'd like to think I would (and could) just help any student willing to admit they want and are prepared to work for an education after a one on one meeting with me or a delegate of mine!
 
#18
So, I called around and such, I have an appointment booked for the end of August. So no real good news has come from this. I have to wait 2 months just to see if I will be accepted or denied. And if I am denied then I only have about 2-3 weeks to find a different school to enroll at.
 
#19
Poop-Loops said:
Pfft, I woldn't bother going. Get a GED (Or whaveter the equivalent is in Canada) and go to college from there. You don't actually learn anything in High-School.
Click to expand...

Depends on how much you applied yourself. Personally, I was in AP courses, trig, physics, chemistry; I learned a lot that you don't need to pass a GED.

Then again, a decent university is going to go over all of that stuff again at a higher level. But at least you'll have a head start.
 
#20
Herrlster said:
So, I called around and such, I have an appointment booked for the end of August. So no real good news has come from this. I have to wait 2 months just to see if I will be accepted or denied. And if I am denied then I only have about 2-3 weeks to find a different school to enroll at.
Click to expand...

Not sure what things are like in Canada, but is there a Community College that the Principle would allow you to attend over the summer to apply towards a class or two maybe?
 

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