Be kinda ok with one of my kids quitting school. One of the twins (17 and a Jr at the IB high school with consistent A’s in all advanced classes) is becoming pretty adamant that he’s done with high school.
He’s probably already a top tier diesel mechanic that I’d put against anyone anywhere in his ability to diagnose properly and repair anything
He’s about as good a body man as anyone I’ve had working here.
In fact he’s been working at a world known custom shop after school just to see what he can learn about stuff we don’t do much of.
He’s capable of custom programming and operating cnc and 3D printing
He competes on a national level designing, building, programming and operating advanced robotics

He could probably make $100k+ next year (and just go up from there) conservatively working on commission here alongside everyone else.

He wants to skip his senior year, get a GED and go to a couple trade classes (welding and hydraulics not sure why, he’s pretty competent at both) while he works.

He’s grown up in a shop and never wanted to be anywhere else unless it was hunting, fishing or at a car show.

Honestly, I’m against it but having a hard time really convincing myself he’s wrong. I don’t think I’ll ever convince him to go to college as he’s become dead set against that idea lately, says he just bored with the whole school idea and knows it probably not gonna increase his value significantly so “why spend the time around a bunch of liberals in a bigger school doing useless stuff”.

I think he’s probably not wrong, I’m just hung on the idea he should finish high school I guess

I'm a teacher. But this seems like a no brainer. I'd let him drop. If I had to do it over again I would never have went to college.

Man that's a tough situation but your last paragraph kinda sums it up imo

Congratulations on raising a young man in a way that you have to have this dilemma - I may soon have similar issues - if it weren't for school baseball, my freshman would probably already be talking about options. Sounds like you all have set your son up for success on either path.

Easy one to me. Let him drop and strike that iron while it is hot. You do realize public school is just tax payer funded daycare so grown ups can go to work in a post industrial revolution society? Some type of education and socialization was an additonal feature to justify those taxes, never the primary purpose. You did a good job getting him to a great place. Give yourself a pat on the back and let him fly! GED or Diploma will mean nothing in 3 weeks later.

As long as they are or become productive members of society i wouldnt have a problem with it. I believe schools at 3very level are a bit over rated these days and likely doing more harm than good

His education is just about to get started. Schools just teach kids how to blindly follow authority figures and not think for their selves.

So he’s an International Baccalaureate student with a 4.0 and he wants to drop out of high school? Pardon my skepticism but something is amiss.

I dunno i'm kinda with you hung on the idea he should finish also. My boys have both graduated now and they didn't have a choice lol. But seriously i've done well for myself, but i didn't graduate and i still regret it at 41 🤷🏾‍♂️

You know him better than we do. As long as he gets his GED I'd allow it but, I'd have him complete the GED before dropping out if they allow that. I know this is a small town but my son and all of his friends that have trade skill are productive individuals.
Most college boys from here not so much. In fact, most dropped out and have pretty cheesy jobs.

I would go with him to school and talk with them about how he can "graduate" next year with a real diploma and not go to class (take 1-2 classes online). There may be an alternative so that he can get a diploma and not a GED. Maybe not, but it is worth asking.

No, that’s pretty accurate. I think it’s 4.4 or 4.5 though

I can see both sides but I like to finish something I’ve started…. I try to teach my kids the same. Maybe talk with the school about a co op. If his grades are that good there are probably just a couple classes needed to graduate anyway.

Then he could do both

He does coop now.

How is it that some of the football players graduate high school in December and enroll in college early in the spring to start practicing? As stated above, I’d find out exactly what he needs to graduate and see if he can’t finish in the fall.

Check to see how many credits he needs to get a diploma. Can probably finish early like some of the football guys that are entering college this semester.

Good for him having a plan for the future.

Id finish early if i could..but id finish.

I’d make him finish. Heaven forbid he get injured down the road and can’t work with his hands. HS diploma looks better than a GED and like it or not lots of times it’s all about the looks. He can go to school in he summer, take extra classes and finish early. It’ll only set him back about 6 months in time.

A GED will get you into college if your son changes his mind one day. He won't get into the top universities, but do you really want to pay $200k+ for an education?