UKJeeper

My oldest kid (16 yo, USC) has just completed UK high school, and completely blew his exams. 2 C's and the rest were lower. So 6th form and junior college are out the window.

So i was thinking of sending him back to the US to high school there (he'll live with his Aunt). His birthday is in August, so he could be looking at 3 years of school if we kept him back a grade. He's realised that he blew it, big time, and would jump at the chance to "go back in time" and re-do 3 years of high school again. Not an opportunity that comes along very often.

Anyone done anything similar? Either moved to the US/moved back to the US with 16 year old kids? What did you have to do to enroll them in US high school? Show grades, UK school report, etc?

Elvira

Yes, pretty much, but you have to realise that the system is very different - lots of electives and modules to be chosen to ensure he fulfills the requirements for graduating high school. Contact the school he'd be going to and request their course selection booklet. They'll also be able to answer all your other questions.

Though you left it a bit late - school started a week or so ago. Also, all the school counsellors are likely to be extremely busy during September.

Elvira

You'd be better off asking these kinds of Qs in the USA forum!

Rete

First off, what is his "right" to return to the US to live and go to school? Is he a US Citizen or a PR like you were/are? If he is a PR and been out of the US for 53 weeks as well, then he, too, needs an SB-1 from the US Consulate in London.

neil

It says he's a USC in the first sentence.

fatbrit

Personally, I 'd consider enrolling him in the local community college rather than back in high school.

Noorah101

This thread was moved to the USA forum per the OP's request.

Rene
Moderator

dbark

If he completed the three years in the US, he would (hopefully) come out of it with a high school diploma. Then if your plan is for him to move back to the UK, the colleges there really don't know what to do with one of those (my daughter is a similar situation right now.) If you really wanted him to have a US qualification, he could do a GED in a much shorter timeframe. But IMHO staying in the UK, if that is the longterm plan, is going to be much better for him right now. He can do retakes in November at the same time as studying for A levels, lots of students do that.

Bob

not just that, he'd need 3 years residence in the UK if you wants to pay UK rates, otherwise uni won't be cheap...but if he wants to do uni in the US, it'll probably be better for him.

UKJeeper

Noooooo! I want to get him out of here (UK), get him back where we all belong, and keep him here. Our longterm plan is to get all of us back over there eventually (within 12 months or so). Talked to an estate agent (realtor) today (one of my IT clients) about getting a valuation on our house. His ballpark figure is very favorable, so hopefully there should be our seed money there.

He will have VERY strict rules about staying there. His GPA and home behaviour will be strictly monitored. If it slips, he's back on a plane here, no discussion. His aunt is a juvenile offenders probation officer, so should be able to handle him!

Manc

I hink if long term you all plan to be back in the USA, then an education that American employers understand would be better than GCSE's and A Levels that mean completely sod all to them.

UKJeeper

IF he stayed over here, he could do baccalaureate exams which are recognised over there. But he's not going to get into the schools that offer them with his GCSE results.

lapin_windstar

Picking completely at random, Union County, NC Public Schools say:

http://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/communicat...enrollment.htm

Check the website of the public school system where he would be living for starters.

Do employers really care where high school certificates/exams come from?

fatbrit

NC schools are in danger of the Feds getting angry. Asking for a social security card is a big no, no.

Yorkieabroad

Ours asked for the students SSN, but not a copy of the card...what do the Feds say about it?