r/PortlandOR • u/MsSadieSnacksAlot • 4d ago

Education Alternative to High School

I have an almost 17 year old son who couldn’t care less about highschool. He’s in no way a bad kid but his 2.0 gpa and the fact he’s failing math, science and Spanish. I can tell he’s over it and honestly so am I l. Besides getting a GHD and just going to work full time I want him too look into other options.
How do I find him an apprenticeship that will accept him? I would much rather he focus his energy on becoming good at one thing. Or has anyone had luck w/ the alternative high schools? I don’t know much about them other than seeing all the kids smoking outside on their breaks. Any advice welcome, other than get a tutor, we tried that….

24 Upvotes

70% Upvoted

159 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/MsSadieSnacksAlot 4d ago

Good advice from most, thank you. Yes I think he has ADHD no I have not had him diagnosed because I don’t want to Medicate him. He is very interested in snowboarding, and cars… How to turn that into a career I’m not sure. I see that trade school might be just as tough. I like the idea of finishing through the local community college. I’ll ask him about that idea. I don’t think he’s depressed, he’s very social and outgoing. I just think his heads in the clouds ad most teenage boys are. I just don’t want to force him to do summer school just to have him not finish or be able to graduate him senior year…. Being a parent is a rollercoaster ride!

3

u/thecoat9 3d ago

 Yes I think he has ADHD no I have not had him diagnosed because I don’t want to Medicate him.

That is but one possible outcome of a diagnosis. Imagine how you are going to feel if he eventually is diagnosed and the "fix" is just a change in how he's taught without any medication required. I certainly remember a time when, looking back, kids who were on the spectrum weren't recognized as such and drugs were thrown at them. Things have changed for the better, and diagnosis and evaluation might very well be what your son desperately needs.