Q. What is DropoutAnswers.com?

A: DropoutAnswers.com is a web-based resource for anyone looking for answers and alternatives to dropping out of high school. Our mission is to be the most relevant source of information for two groups of people: those who may be considering dropping out of high school, and those who have already dropped out. On this website, you'll find helpful links, frequently asked questions, opportunities, student stories and alternatives to dropping out of high school. DropoutAnswers.com is made possible by Insight Schools, Inc.

About Insight Schools

The mission of Insight Schools® is to serve today's teens who are seeking a different kind of high school experience. Throughout the nation, nearly five million high school-aged students do not attend high school. Insight strives to reach those students and others who are looking for another way to reach their potential and receive their high school diploma online. This includes youth who must work, who are pursuing their dreams in sports, entertainment, or other careers, those who are challenged with health or physical issues, students who seek more challenging coursework or need extra time to master a concept or skill, and young people who simply do not function well in traditional classroom settings. Insight Schools exists to benefit these students and to help them acquire the necessary life skills that will equip them for success in later life.

Insight students have access to more than 120 courses and choose their own time, pace and place for their high school education. Using today's technology, Insite innovative, tuition-free schools offer the greatest level of support and personalized communication for students including custom feedback, organizational tools, and one-on-one connections with instructors and their adult "iMentor". With eleven schools in ten states and growing, Insight Schools, Inc. operates the nation's largest national network of full-time, diploma-granting online public high schools. Insites schools are authorized and governed by local districts, state governments or community organizations. Insight Schools, Inc. is a subsidiary of Apollo Group, Inc., operator of University of Phoenix, the nation's largest private, accredited university and the nation's leader in online learning.

Q. How old does a student have to be in order to legally drop out of school?

A: The legal age to drop out varies from state to state.  16 is the lowest legal age to drop out, with many states requiring students to be 17 or 18 before they can stop attending school.  It is illegal to drop out before you have reached the minimum age for your state.  For a complete list of legal dropout ages by state, visit our State-By-State Information and Opportunities page on this site. 

Q: I know everyone says that getting through high school is really important for your future, but they don’t understand that I need to work full-time to support myself now.  Doesn’t it make sense for me to drop out so that I can make a living, even if it means I might not be able to get a better job later?

A: If you’re having a crisis in the present, it’s difficult to focus on the future.  However, before you drop out , consider the following options:

• Need to work, but not sure where?  Many high schools offer programs at local vocational or technical schools in fields such as dental hygiene, culinary arts, radio broadcasting and auto mechanics.  Participating in one of these programs can earn you the high school credit you need to graduate.  It can also put you in touch with people who can hire you for a job within the field you’re studying with good wages and lots of opportunity for advancement.  Contact your high school counselor for more information.
  
  
• Already have a job and just need to figure out how to work around school?  Most states have online high school programs that allow you earn your diploma  online to work around your schedule.  Insight Schools, one of the premier online high school providers in the U.S., is a public high school (which means it’s free) and provides students with a laptop, a printer/scanner and internet stipend .  Learn more at www.insightschools.net. 
  
  
• Does your family have the money to afford a private school?  If so, there are many private high schools for students with a specific focus, such as the arts, the military, the outdoors and the sciences.  Attending a school like this could allow you to make the connections necessary to get a great job in the present or future.  For more information on these options, check in with your school counselor. 

Q: Even if I can’t get a great job as a high school dropout, shouldn’t I still be able to make enough money to live on if I stay at the same place and work my way up?

A: It’s true that, with enough hard work, a high school dropout can be promoted beyond a basic minimum wage position.  However, the likelihood of going very far beyond minimum wage is slim.  In most fields, there isn’t much potential for advancement for an individual without a high school diploma.  In 2007, the average high school dropout earned $19,000 a year while the average high school graduate earned roughly $28,000.  $19,000 may be enough for the bare minimum of expenses if you’re living on your own, but if you want to be able to go to movies or concerts, or if you’d like to have a family someday, you’ll probably find yourself short on money   

Q: The stuff that I’m learning in high school doesn’t apply to what I want to do with my life at all.  Why should I keep on going if I’m not really learning anything?

A: First of all, you’re probably learning more important things than you realize.  Even if you’re not a journalist, you’ll still have to compose professional and well-spoken emails, cover letters and résumés.  Even if you’re not a mathematician or engineer, you’ll still need math when you’re doing your taxes or budgeting your money.  While it’s true that not everything you learn in high school will be useful to you later, a lot of it will be. 

Second, even if you believe you’re learning absolutely nothing in high school, completing it and earning your diploma still demonstrates to employers that you’re willing to work hard to get things done, even if they’re not always things you love to do. 
If you’re still wishing that your high school classes applied more to your life and future, you may want to consider these options.

• Many high schools offer programs at local vocational or technical schools in fields such as dental hygiene, culinary arts, radio broadcasting and auto mechanics.  Participating in one of these programs can earn you the high school credit you need to graduate.  It can also put you in touch with people who can hire you for a job within the field you’re studying with good wages and  opportunity for advancement.  Contact your high school counselor for more information.
  
  
• Most states have online high school programs that allow you earn your diploma at your own pace that works around your schedule.  This could give you time to get a job that may help you in your future, or to have other enriching experiences such as traveling or participating in more community-based extracurricular activities.  Insight Schools, one of the premier online high school providers in the U.S., is a public high school (which means it’s free) and provides students with a laptop, a printer and internet access free of charge.  Learn more at www.insightschools.net. 
  
  
• Do you or your parents have the money to afford a private school?  If so, there are many private high schools for students with a specific focus, such as the arts, the military, the outdoors and the sciences.  For more information on these options, check in with your school counselor. 

Q: I’ve missed a lot of assignments, and now I’m really behind in school.  I’d like to keep on going, but I know I’m going to fail a few classes this term and I’m worried the same thing might happen next term.  The whole thing is really stressing me out and I just want to be done with it.  Is it more realistic to just drop out?

A: Whether you’re behind because you’re struggling in your classes or just because you haven’t been making the deadlines, there are ways for you to pull through and graduate.  Consider the following options:

• Talk to your teachers about the possibility of doing makeup or extra credit work.  Chances are, at least some of your teachers will be sympathetic as long as your actions speak as loud as your words and you complete the work.
  
  
• Many schools offer homework clubs, tutoring centers and other services that help students to get their homework done correctly and on time.  See if your school has one and look into attending.
  
  
• Dedicate a certain amount of time per day to doing homework.  Even if you don’t have anything due the next day, you can work ahead for classes that may have something due later in the week. 
  
  
• Feel like you’ll just never be able to get anything in on time?  Most states have online high school programs that allow you earn your diploma to work around your schedule.  Insight Schools, one of the premier online high school providers in the U.S., is a public high school (which means it’s free) and provides students with a laptop, a printer and internet access free of charge.  Learn more at www.insightschools.net. 

Q: I dropped out of high school several years ago and would like to start taking some college classes.  Is it possible to do this without a high school diploma?

A: It depends.  Some community colleges do allow students to enter without a high school diploma or GED because they recognize that a two-year degree can help jumpstart a former dropout’s career.  You will still have to take a placement test and, depending on your score, you may be required to take several classes that will not count toward your degree in order to catch up.  Though the occasional community college does accept individuals who aren’t high school graduates, most community colleges and virtually all four-year educational institutions require a high school diploma or GED for admission.

Q: What is a GED? 

A: A GED, or General Equivalency Diploma, is a certification that demonstrates that a student has equivalent knowledge to a high school graduate.  GEDs can help high school dropouts to be eligible to enroll in college and be considered for a wider variety of jobs, although most schools and employers prefer a high school diploma.

Q: How do I get a GED?

A: In order to get a GED, you must be at least 16 and not currently enrolled in school.  The GED is awarded based on successful completion of testing in five different areas: math, science, language arts, writing and social studies.  You have the option to take different sections on different days, as the entire test takes over seven hours   For information about testing in your area, visit : http://www.gedtest.org.  Once you’ve signed up to test, it would probably be beneficial to find a GED study group, enroll in a GED preparation course or purchase a GED study guide.  Contact your local test center for more information.

Q: Do colleges and employers see GEDs as inferior to high school diplomas?

A: It depends on the college or employer.  A high school diploma and a GED are often seen as essentially equal qualifications, but if one if going to outweigh the other, the high school diploma will always win. 

Q: Getting up for school is really a drag.  I almost always miss my first few classes just because I can’t wake up that early.  Now I’m worried I’m going to fail.  I want to finish high school, but how can I do it when I’m such a night person?

A: Since most high schools operate from the morning to the early afternoon, many night owls have trouble both getting to class and staying awake once they’re there.  If you find yourself in this boat, you may want to look into the following options.

• Most states have online high school programs that allow you earn your diploma to work around your schedule.  Insight Schools, one of the premier online high school providers in the U.S., is a public high school (which means it’s free) and provides students with a laptop, a printer and stipend internet.  Learn more at www.insightschools.net.
  
  
• It’s a little rare, but some states do have nighttime high school programs for traditional high school students.  To learn if you have one of these programs near you, contact your school guidance counselor. 

Q: I’m thinking of dropping out of school.  Where can I get a job?

A: Probably not as many places as you’d think.  You will be qualified to work at essentially the same places as your former high school classmates.  Even the military, which is considered by many to be the perfect fallback plan, requires individuals to earn a high school diploma or GED before enlisting.

Along with your options being limited by your qualifications, they will also be limited by the current job market.  With fewer jobs available, many high school graduates and college students are applying for the same jobs as high school dropouts.  Given the choice, most employers will hire the candidate with more education.

Q: I dread going to school every day because I’m bullied and get picked on. It’s gotten so bad I’m thinking about dropping out, even though I know that I should really get my diploma.  Is there any way I can finish school without physically going to school? 

A: If you dread going to school because of bullies, drama and gossip, the following options may be attractive alternatives for you.

• Most states have online high school programs that allow you earn your diploma  from the comfort of our own home.  Insight Schools, one of the premier online high school providers in the U.S., is a public high school (which means it’s free) and provides students with a laptop, a printer and an internet stipend.  Learn more at www.insightschools.net. 
  
  
• Many high schools offer programs at local vocational or technical schools in fields such as dental hygiene, culinary arts, radio broadcasting and auto mechanics.  Participating in one of these programs can earn you the high school credit you need to graduate.  It can also put you in touch with people who can hire you for a job within the field you’re studying with good wages  opportunity for advancement.  Contact your high school counselor for more information.
  
  
• Many high schools have partnerships with their local four-year or community college that allow high school students to earn college credit.  The college classes count for high school requirements and can transfer to the college of your choice later on, too.  If you work hard, some programs even allow you to earn an Associate’s degree before you graduate from high school!  To find out if your high school has a program like this, contact your high school counselor.

Q: Is it possible to get my high school diploma if I’ve already dropped out?

A: Yes.  However, your age and geographic location will affect how you can do it.  Public high schools across the country will allow students aged 18 and under to enroll.  However, if you’re any older than eighteen, you may have to go about things differently.  Some states stop allowing students to enroll at nineteen, while others may allow students who are up to twenty-one years old.  To determine your state’s laws, call your local high school or check your state’s Department of Education website.

If you’re over the maximum age but still want to get your diploma, don’t worry!  It’s still possible.  Most states offer adult high school programs that allow working adults of any age to become high school graduates.  Some of these programs are public, (meaning they are free to those enrolled,) while some require tuition.  In addition, there are a variety of private online programs that allow students to earn their diploma from home. To learn what options are available by state, visit our State-By-Sate Information and Opportunities page on this site.

Q: I recently discovered that I’m pregnant, and I plan to have the baby.  I’d like to finish high school, but I’m not sure if it’s realistic since I’ll be taking care of my son or daughter full-time.  What are my options?

A: Dropping out of school may seem like the most realistic option if you find yourself pregnant.  However, if you don’t get your diploma, it might be difficult for you to support your baby later on.  There are options for teenage mothers who hope to finish up high school.  Read on:

• Most states have online high school programs that allow you earn your diploma  to  work around you and your child’s schedule.  This allows teenage moms to care for their babies at home while still progressing towards completion of high school.  Insight Schools, one of the premier online high school providers in the U.S., is a public high school (which means it’s tuition-free) and provides students with a laptop, a printer and an internet stipend .  Learn more at www.insightschools.net.
  
  
• Many areas have free or discounted daycare and preschool options that are intended for teenage mothers to use while they finish school.  Some are offered through high schools, while others can be found at technical schools, at colleges, in churches or elsewhere in the community.  Services vary widely from city to city—for more information, talk to your high school counselor, health teacher or school nurse.  You may also want to grab your local Yellow Pages and call around to local daycare centers and explain your situation.  Even if the ones you call don’t offer free or discounted services, chances are they know people who do.