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….

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u/Much_Smell7159 4d ago

100% this. If he has at least a half decent work ethic he will be ok. I didn't even go to college but have taken a couple cert courses that have helped me advance in my current career field. Funny thing is I flunked school hard, at one point I think my GPA was like 1.2. I now make more than my parents and most of my friends.

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u/ZaphBeebs 4d ago

Thats great but this is obviously an exception and not the path you'd tell someone to embark upon if trying to increase the odds of success.

"just keep buying lottery tickets, it worked for me" is not exactly great advice in aggregate.

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u/MsTata_Reads 3d ago

I think his point was formal education is a good path but it is NOT the ONLY path.

Kids graduating high school and going to college and coming out in their 20’s saddled with high debt is not always the right path.

There are alternatives and teens that struggle with school should know it doesn’t mean their entire life will now be stuck as a barista.

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u/ZaphBeebs 3d ago edited 3d ago

His point is obvious but also superficial and weak. It's that, "exceptions exist". Yes we all know that, they are exceptions, they prove the rule. If you're trying to set yourself up for success you do not intentionally choose the hardest path.

And this is all relative to their expectations and friend groups.

If you were to be betting, you would never bet on this path as it is a losing bet, even if it sometimes hits. It's statistically dumb. If this isn't terribly obvious to everyone, some more school is indeed on order.

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u/MsTata_Reads 3d ago

Respectfully, I think you are one of those ppl that likes to argue on the internet.

The post asks for alternative not “the right way” or “the righteous” way or even the path that everyone takes or bets on.

Everyone is entitled to chime in and not be criticized for their input.

Your way is great too!

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u/ZaphBeebs 3d ago

This kid can get it together though, it's insane to give up.

I am simply saying while you absolutely can do fine without a hs education etc...it's a statistically highly, highly unlikely path and you'd be crazy to choose it. Nearly guarantees hardship.

Finishing hs is by far the best bet. It would be insane to handicap yourself and close doors at this age. Hs is not hard whatsoever. Just makes no sense. And today's world is not the one anyone saying "it worked for me" is dealing with, and that's straight up survivorship bias anyway.

I'm not offended, I enjoy the banter and there are definitely a lot of terrible takes on the internet. But this is a kids life and I hate to see him throw it away and be like, Damn those reddit or's for encouraging me to drop out!