scrubbedexpat097

You know, the OP and her family have made this decision so why are you all being so negative?

Yes it is a difficult age to move but it sounds like they know what they are getting into. I imagine keeping the family together is top priority, and kids whatever age with the right motivation and help usually manage to survive changes unscathed. Many even embrace the situation.

Sally Redux

OP will get a range of views and will no doubt do as she sees fit.

AmerLisa

It's just not the same set up as the UK. The schools are completely different and your 18 year old may not even be able to slot into a regular high school, nor want to. For him it would be going in reverse and I can't imagine it would be good, even for social aspects. The 16 year old stands a better chance, but again she may not find the classes suit her. I'd do more research on the whole thing and hopefully come up with a better plan.

AmerLisa

I hope I don't come across negative, although maybe that's what it is, I hope not.

I do think the OP needs to be aware of the school system here and that it is really different to what her kids are going through now. I don't want that to be a negative thing, but since the oldest is so close to being finished with school I'm not quite sure how beneficial a year taken away from his school will help. At 18 he may not be allowed to enroll in public school anyway. One positive idea is that he could definitely go to community college for that year. He'd fine more kids his age anyway.

kimilseung

Do the two oldest know they will not be able to go down the pub? Not meaning to be flippant, but the pub is at the heart of many UK kids of that age social life, and it is very different in the states.

loubiblu

Negative might be better defined as realistic. It's a huge move and one we're approaching with definite eyes open so am grateful and appreciative of all advice.

Yep, I'm a big girl (and fairly stubborn) so listening to and acting on advice might be 2 diiferent things Saying that, I've searched out this forum as, hopefully the contributors have experiences they can share.

It'll be for the final 4 months of his school year, as I said earlier, with the support of his current school, he'll be continuing to study for his A Levels on an evening. Community College is an option we hadn't really considered, but it could work for him - he'll be returning to the UK to go to University here, probably after taking 'a gap year', but he may decide he wants to go straight away.

I need to do more research on the options for my daughter post 16 - APs I believe might be an option?



The older one's social lives revolve around going to music concerts and their season tickets at Everton.

I now sound neglectful of the 11 yr old! Going to trawl the review sites for school districts and highly rated schools so we can start to draw up a few areas to look at.

Thanks for all your replies so far

kimilseung

Here in Washington we have a program called "running start" 11 and 12 graders can attend college, taking college level course, and getting HS credit for them. Your chosen destination probably has something similar.

AmerLisa

Yep APs and the best idea is the IB program. But seriously because the oldest is 18 the local high school may not take him and community college will probably be his spot, which isn't bad for an 18 year old.

Sally Redux

AP classes are college-level classes which may be offered at the school - it varies as to how many and which subjects. Students can actually take them at different points in their high school career and may take some right from the start. They are considered analogous to A-levels by UK universities but it's a different set-up within the curriculum.

Lack of pubs is a good point actually. Socializing for my kids tended to take place more at parties or 'hanging' at people's houses. Of course one never knows quite what they're up to. One time a couple of years ago my daughter got caught out because she had 'gone to a friend's house to study', however due to work on the freeway they couldn't get back home from their clubbing in West Hollywood

Yes, I was thinking we'd neglected the 11-year-old! It should be an easier fit but their concerns should not be overlooked.

Macca67

+1.

I'm surprised some of these doom-mongers ever get out of bed in the morning. Even if it all goes tits-up what's the worst thing that can happen?

Sally Redux

Only for $10,000.

Pulaski

Well it could screw up their exams, their shot at their choice of uni and/or degree, and thereby there career. All for five months of spinning their wheels in the US. ..... Yes, I agree, that might be the pessimistic view, but conversely there is, IMO, virtually no tangible upside benefit to not seeing out their A and O level courses in a more conventional manner.

Uncle_Bob

I've got an app for that. find my iPhone

Uncle_Bob

Considering that you can get in trouble for taking your kids out of school for a few days holiday in the UK, including possible jail time then a move like this could be considered equivalent if not worse with regards to the effects on the children education IMO.

I wouldn't even want to move or change schools within the UK if my kids were at this stage in school.

But each to their own. I hope it works out.

loubiblu

Couple of misconceptions here - unauthorised absence, ie taking holiday in term time only applies to state schools. Jail would only be a possibility for refusal of paying the fine impose by the LA.

With respect, I know the academic capabilities of my children. Their current school is supportive and whilst we all appreciate it's not the best time, that's what our timetable is.

Onwards with the research