Options for Troubled Teens After High School

A teenager who has been struggling academically or behaviorally often finds the prospect of finishing and graduating from high school much more frightening than it is for teens who have set a course and been able to stick to it.

If your teen has not developed the skills to live independently and is not prepared for college, as parents you may feel concerned and worried about his or her future. Your teen may even have to leave high school without obtaining a diploma. Not having a high school diploma can affect their long-term earning potential and can limit career choices. Therefore, it may be a good time to consider classes to prepare for the GED (Graduate Equivalency Diploma).

Some community colleges do not require a high school diploma, and if a child performs well academically, after two years they may be able to go on to a four-year college or university.

There are also transitional programs available, sometimes known as "life skills" programs, that can help your adolescent learn how to live independently. These programs can also help them finish any required high school credits for graduation or prepare for the GED.

Learn more about options for teens after high school at NorthStar Center.

Options After High School: