For many students, the traditional 4-year high school education is no longer the only way to jumpstart their adult life. Early graduation is one of many options. The process is one that most students can easily handle. As an early graduate, your high school education comes to an end a semester early, in December. The students who choose this path often have a well-thought-out plan. This plan can consist of many different things: work, college, athletics, military, etc. Early graduation is not an easy way out. Most schools, like Rochester, require you to have some sort of plan to begin the process. This article will explain the process and smaller details to graduate early from Rochester High School.
Kristina Dennison has been a school counselor here at Rochester High School for 7 years. Mrs. Dennison says, “Early graduation is an opportunity for senior students to graduate a semester early, as long as they have met all the requirements.” Although all students have this option, many choose to live out their senior year and experience what it is like to be a part of the upperclassmen. Mrs. Dennison says, “You are just not here for the second semester (you can still go to prom and the ceremony), but you miss out on the day-to-day activities.” Something as simple as being a part of the senior class plays a huge part when students are considering this option. According to Mrs. Bilyeu (A Social Studies teacher of 25 years), “I feel like Rochester limits it more than other schools.” She explained that throughout her time at Rochester School, only taught seniors, she rarely loses many seniors to early graduation. The choice of the path is ultimately determined by the student and their aspirations. Although conversing with a parent or guardian may be necessary, the student has full power over their education, to an extent. Obviously, you can not just skip school because you want to. There are parental aspects of the process. Mrs. Dennison says, “Parents are a part of the entire process. They have to approve of it just like everyone else.” Almost all parents are up to supporting their child when achieving future goals.
Each and every student who has the desire to follow through with early graduation has to submit an application. This application is short and sweet: it includes a signature from you and your parents and a brief explanation as to why you want to be done in December. This process is the same for each student. There are no special circumstances based on the student. Therefore, there is an equal opportunity for all senior students. Oftentimes, you want to have made your decision and turned in your application by the start of your senior year, in order to make sure you can fit in the required classes. After you have turned in your application, “a meeting takes place between the student, the parent, the counselor, and the principal,” Dennison said. This is to ensure the student is aware of what they are getting into and to ensure classes are filled appropriately.
At Rochester High School, “you have to have 28 credits after the first semester of senior year,” stated Mrs. Dennison. Within these 28 credits, as a first-semester senior, you are required to have “2 English credits and a PE credit,” Mrs. Dennison said. These credits are simple to meet. Each school year, you take 8 classes per semester, whether they are year-long or just a semester. Most students have met the requirements by the end of their junior year. As a school counselor, Mrs. Dennison says, “I just check their credits to follow the requirements and advise what classes need to be taken.” Throughout the process, each person has a part in approving the application.
Once you have been approved by your counselor and your schedule has been changed to accommodate the approval, the principal is in charge of making the proposal to the board. The student and their family no longer have any control. Past this point, the principal becomes your personal advocate. They will bring the application to the board. The board evaluates each student to determine if they will be allowed to. If the board has any questions, they will follow up with the principal. The principal may have previously asked the student to give them a rough draft of what their future plans are. Most of the time, they are not worried about this, but it is just in case.
Overall, the process is simple. The turnaround time is usually quick. Your application will be evaluated within the first few board meetings of the school year. Although this is an option for all students, not many choose this path. Some students are unhappy with high school and are ready for life. This is here to ensure every student has the opportunity to follow their dreams at their own pace. Make sure you think through each option and weigh your options. No matter what you decide, it is your decision.
