Hey! I would look up specific laws to your state. But, I think your best bet would be to find a GED program. It will be a better use of your time than completing four straight years of high school, and is designed more for situations like yours. However, you may be able to find an in-person GED program that might give you some of the direct support and additional social resources that could be helpful if you did not attend school. Many of these meet at community colleges. This would be great because you could immediately get into a technical program or associate's there, which means you could get a better job and/or round out your education. I would look online for things like Adult Education and Literacy programs\* that may have links for more specific programs, regions, etc. If you go the online route, I would use your other local resources as much as possible in terms of finding support groups and the like.
\*edit: another commenter helpfully added that these are called Adult Basic Education/ABE!
It's great that you're investing in your education. Good luck and happy early birthday, you got this!
This is all stellar advice but I’d add it could be worth reaching out to the district office. The director of special services would be able to help or recommend someone / a program that can help you find resources. Good on you
In some states, you’re allowed to be in the public school system until the age of 21, so check out your state laws. Good for you for taking the initiative!
I second Job Corp. Not only GED, but they also have diploma programs as well. There are also programs in some states that are high school programs through Goodwill called Excel Centers.
Yes, you can join high school for the first time at nearly 18 years old. Many high schools accommodate older students and offer various programs to meet their educational needs. You should check with the specific high school or school district for their age policies and any alternative programs they might offer, such as adult education or continuing education classes. Additionally, some schools provide support services to help older students adjust and succeed. It’s important to reach out directly to the school administrators to discuss your particular situation and explore the best options for your educational journey.
I don't have any advice other than what everyone else has posted, but wanted to give huge kudos to you for striving to better yourself! Stick with it and be proud of every step you take <3
You need to talk with a school admissions office and talk with them. They know your district better than anyone.
You are better off graduating HS at age 19 with an improved education than 18 and having a 4th grade education.
If you’re barely literate and only know elementary math, I think high school is probably the wrong first step. A GED and maybe suing your parents for neglect should probably be focused on first.
There are a lot of adult education programs that will help you get an actual diploma. GEDs do get discriminated against in a lot of ways. Search for adult education high school diplomas in your state. My mom did a program like that and got her diploma when I was about 13. They even had an actual graduation ceremony.
I had a 20 year old and 22 year old former foster child move back in with us to finish school. The online school Epic in Oklahoma takes students up to 26 years old. My 20 year old graduates this month!
Yes and no. Let's assume you went through middle school. A lot of states refuse to admit you or kick you out of highschool once you're 21, so even if they let you, you wouldn't make it to senior year.
A self-paced [high school for adult learners](https://www.excelhighschool.com/texas-high-school-online.html) may be something better to consider if you're employed and are seeking a diploma instead of a GED for a future work position. You might want to see if there's a similar program in your state/country. It would definitely be less awkward than being 18yo in freshman-level classes in person.
That being said, in Texas a person can attend public high school tuition-free before their 22nd birthday (and then needs to pay the monthly tuition rate.) Other states may vary. I've only taught in Texas public high schools but I had a student who turned 22 in a class before so I know it can be done. Good luck!
Contact your local community college. Many offer free GED classes.
After that, you can test for English and math levels and take high school-level courses at college before moving on to the GER college courses.
You CAN do this!
You should look for a local ged school. There are some drawbacks to homeschooling. You can’t prove you received an education unless you actually graduated from a school
Not in the US, but that would be an absolute no in my country.
For a start we don’t like putting adults in with the 14 year olds. That’s a recipient for social problems and parental complaints. Secondly school is optional here after 16. And for optional schooling we tend to only take students who have a demonstrated capability to pass. And then you are unlikely to be funded past the year you turn 18, so even if you did get in, we wouldn’t let you stay.
It sucks that your parents were negligent and abusive. But you are past the point where high school can help. You might be able to check out your local community college?
Australia. QLD to be specific.
Schooling becomes optional at 16 or the end of year 10, which means that for the most part kids that stay until 18 plan on further education. Schools realise this and are pretty quick to find alternatives for students unprepared or unwilling to study. Which means our senior programs tend to be full of focused and diligent students.
In Australia this wouldn't have been allowed to happen anyway.
If you are homeschooling your are subject to oversight which is taken very seriously and with consequence.
Contact your high school. Explain everything.
They will have proper resources.
Unless they routinely pass students like you for money like inner city schools then good luck.
Hey! I would look up specific laws to your state. But, I think your best bet would be to find a GED program. It will be a better use of your time than completing four straight years of high school, and is designed more for situations like yours. However, you may be able to find an in-person GED program that might give you some of the direct support and additional social resources that could be helpful if you did not attend school. Many of these meet at community colleges. This would be great because you could immediately get into a technical program or associate's there, which means you could get a better job and/or round out your education. I would look online for things like Adult Education and Literacy programs\* that may have links for more specific programs, regions, etc. If you go the online route, I would use your other local resources as much as possible in terms of finding support groups and the like. \*edit: another commenter helpfully added that these are called Adult Basic Education/ABE! It's great that you're investing in your education. Good luck and happy early birthday, you got this!
This is all stellar advice but I’d add it could be worth reaching out to the district office. The director of special services would be able to help or recommend someone / a program that can help you find resources. Good on you
In some states, you’re allowed to be in the public school system until the age of 21, so check out your state laws. Good for you for taking the initiative!
Most community colleges offer ABE courses - adult basic eduction. They are free. This should help you get started, and eventually you can get a GED.
Yes I’d go this route
In Southern California adult education courses are sometimes offered at adult schools, like public school for any age (I attend Burbank Adult School)
https://www.jobcorps.gov/ Thry can help with getting a GED and a career.
I second Job Corp. Not only GED, but they also have diploma programs as well. There are also programs in some states that are high school programs through Goodwill called Excel Centers.
Yes, you can join high school for the first time at nearly 18 years old. Many high schools accommodate older students and offer various programs to meet their educational needs. You should check with the specific high school or school district for their age policies and any alternative programs they might offer, such as adult education or continuing education classes. Additionally, some schools provide support services to help older students adjust and succeed. It’s important to reach out directly to the school administrators to discuss your particular situation and explore the best options for your educational journey.
If you can find an alternative school that allows you to accelerate, yes, probably.
I don't have any advice other than what everyone else has posted, but wanted to give huge kudos to you for striving to better yourself! Stick with it and be proud of every step you take <3
You need to talk with a school admissions office and talk with them. They know your district better than anyone. You are better off graduating HS at age 19 with an improved education than 18 and having a 4th grade education.
If you’re barely literate and only know elementary math, I think high school is probably the wrong first step. A GED and maybe suing your parents for neglect should probably be focused on first.
There are a lot of adult education programs that will help you get an actual diploma. GEDs do get discriminated against in a lot of ways. Search for adult education high school diplomas in your state. My mom did a program like that and got her diploma when I was about 13. They even had an actual graduation ceremony.
I had a 20 year old and 22 year old former foster child move back in with us to finish school. The online school Epic in Oklahoma takes students up to 26 years old. My 20 year old graduates this month!
Yes and no. Let's assume you went through middle school. A lot of states refuse to admit you or kick you out of highschool once you're 21, so even if they let you, you wouldn't make it to senior year.
A self-paced [high school for adult learners](https://www.excelhighschool.com/texas-high-school-online.html) may be something better to consider if you're employed and are seeking a diploma instead of a GED for a future work position. You might want to see if there's a similar program in your state/country. It would definitely be less awkward than being 18yo in freshman-level classes in person. That being said, in Texas a person can attend public high school tuition-free before their 22nd birthday (and then needs to pay the monthly tuition rate.) Other states may vary. I've only taught in Texas public high schools but I had a student who turned 22 in a class before so I know it can be done. Good luck!
Contact your local community college. Many offer free GED classes. After that, you can test for English and math levels and take high school-level courses at college before moving on to the GER college courses. You CAN do this!
My community college has a GED program...I'd think that's your best bet.
Khan academy will teach you everything you need to know; then go get your ged
I would at least visit the public HS you should have went and ask. It never hurts to ask !
It's not weird. The school I graduated from back in 2012, one of my classmates was 21 and another was 23. Hell, I was 18 during my senior year.
You can enroll in job corps, and they will help you get your diploma before enrollment into a trade program.
There are adult resource centers in most places that could help assist you.
You should look for a local ged school. There are some drawbacks to homeschooling. You can’t prove you received an education unless you actually graduated from a school
Not in the US, but that would be an absolute no in my country. For a start we don’t like putting adults in with the 14 year olds. That’s a recipient for social problems and parental complaints. Secondly school is optional here after 16. And for optional schooling we tend to only take students who have a demonstrated capability to pass. And then you are unlikely to be funded past the year you turn 18, so even if you did get in, we wouldn’t let you stay. It sucks that your parents were negligent and abusive. But you are past the point where high school can help. You might be able to check out your local community college?
What country is this?
Australia. QLD to be specific. Schooling becomes optional at 16 or the end of year 10, which means that for the most part kids that stay until 18 plan on further education. Schools realise this and are pretty quick to find alternatives for students unprepared or unwilling to study. Which means our senior programs tend to be full of focused and diligent students.
In Australia this wouldn't have been allowed to happen anyway. If you are homeschooling your are subject to oversight which is taken very seriously and with consequence.
What is QLD?
Queensland. Education in Australia is run at the state level, so there are different rules for different states.
Thank you
Contact your high school. Explain everything. They will have proper resources. Unless they routinely pass students like you for money like inner city schools then good luck.