Make Your School District Work For Your Child

Every Child Does Not Learn In The Same Way

My son, a junior in high school, was struggling with his classes.  The subjects were not of interest to him & the overcrowded classrooms and early starts didn’t play to his strengths.  He was failing and he was feeling hopeless.

Then we got information about his school district being one of nine in Michigan that offer online instruction.  The program, as it was designed, was for kids at the alternative high school to be able to attend school from home.  My son didn’t attend the alternative school and was not interested in doing so, so we set out to tailor a program that would work for him.

He had 2 classes that were really important to him, yearbook and advanced placement English, so he knew he didn’t want to take all of his classes online.  Now we faced 2 hurdles.  The online program wasn’t intended for his school yet, and he wanted to do a mix of “ground” classes and online classes.

Giving Him The Opportunity To Try

John and I sat down with his school counselor and the person at the school who was in charge of alternative learning and laid out what we wanted.  They were supportive, but honest.  A lot of people at the school level & at the district level would have to sign off on the program my son wanted to create for himself, and they had no idea if it would fly.  They asked John to draft a letter.  Here’s an excerpt:

“…a handful of students have trouble with the sitting in a desk part. But these particular students aren’t idiots. On the contrary, many, some of them may just be TOO smart for average school to give them the material they need. On the other hand, some of those students MAY, in fact, have a harder time learning in a traditional student-desk relationship.  I’m not going to try and convince you which I am, because I honestly don’t know.”

The Outcome

Everyone at the school level signed off with their approval right away.  They knew my son was a good kid who was smart and struggling in the current situation.  The request moved on to the district level and we waited with baited breath as everyone from the the online learning coordinator to the superintendent of the district perused that packet that the school had sent.

After one week we got the good news.  John got the green light, and it was his letter that clinched the deal.  He now goes to the school every day for his 2 classes, and the rest of the time works online, at home, and at his own pace.  Even though it drives me crazy, he does most of his online work around 9 or 10 at night.  That’s what works for him and he is excelling.

This type of  arrangement was not one the school district had even considered.  John had created his own path they were honoring it.  As of today 3 other students in the district are doing the same type of program & my son is considered the trailblazer.

Remember to support your kids and let them explore their own options.  With overcrowding in schools many more districts across the country will be having programs like these to ease overcrowding and allow teens to learn in an environment that best suits their learning style.  Be an advocate for your child’s education and their future.

(Photograph of John taken at school.)