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A high school diploma is your ticket to higher paying jobs, more education, and more opportunities down the road. The education system is not built to help everyone succeed, though. We want to give you access to the supports you need to get your diploma and moving towards the life you want.
STEP #1: think about what you need
STEP #1: think about what you need
In order for education to be a part of your life, it has to fit with your commitments, obligations and life style. Having a good plan for getting through education requires thinking about what you want in the future, what you need now, and how you can get support to get these things.
Before creating this plan, think to yourself or chat with someone you trust about your situation. Ask the following questions:
What are your future goals? Do you want to go to college? What careers are you interested in?
What supports do you need? What kind of a learner are you? What supports do you need to do well at school?
What's your plan? How can you advocate for your needs at school when life gets challenging? Who are the people in your corner?
STEP #2: access your records
STEP #2: access your records
It's best to make decisions about your education when you have access to all the information.
Two records that are important to doing this are your Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and your transcript.
Individualized Education Plan
An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a document your school creates when they notice you may be experiencing a learning disability, mental health challenges, or need special accommodations in order to be your best self at school. Your IEP has two main functions:
Identifying your strength and growth areas in reading, comprehension, and general learning
Naming what supports you need to meet your needs as a learner
Not everyone has an IEP, but if you do have one, your school should be in contact with you and your guardian to create one and review it once a year. Unfortunately, this does not always happen, which means that some students' needs go unmet and school becomes a challenging environment.
High School Transcript
Your high school transcript is a record of the credits you've earned towards graduation. It shows the grades you've gotten for each class and the highest grade you have reached.
Even if you're not currently active in high school, getting access to your records can be really helpful in figuring out your next move. To get a copy of your most recent records, contact your guidance counselor with the template below.
Email Template: Education Records Request
Email Template: Education Records Request
Hi _____________,
I hope you're well. I'm getting in touch because I would like the most recent copy of my high school transcript and individualized education plan (IEP).
I'm copying my educational support worker, _____________, who is helping me create an education plan that will help me be successful in my future goals. I'd love them to have access to these documents as well.
I look forward to hearing from you,
________________
Can't get access to your guidance counselor? Has it been a while since you've been in school? Check out Boston Public School's formal record request process.
STEP #3: call the re-engagement center
STEP #3: call the re-engagement center
The Re-Engagement Center (REC) is an office within Boston Public Schools designed to address the needs of students who have dropped out and/or experience unique challenges getting their high school education.
They specialize in:
Giving you a picture of what you need to complete school
Referring you to credit recovery, night school, summer school classes, and Hi-SET programs
Help you enroll in a BPS high school or alternative program
Follow-up with you after your placement
Connect you to other services that help you be successful in school
Even if you don't intend to re-enroll in school, setting up a meeting with them to hear your options can be helpful in giving you information that will help you find something that fits for you.
Call them at 617-635-2273 or email them at rec@bostonpublicschools.org to set up a meeting.
Phone Template: REC Appointment Request
Phone Template: REC Appointment Request
Hi _____________,
I hope you're well. I'm getting in touch because I would like to set up an appointment with the Re-engagement Center.
[Give them a brief picture of your educational history: when and where you were last enrolled, how old you are, and your future educational and employment goals.]
I'd love to meet soon to discuss my options.
You can reach me at this number, or by email at ______________________.
I look forward to hearing from you,
________________
STEP #4: think outside the box
STEP #4: think outside the box
High school doesn't have to be a high school in the way you think of it: with boring classes, early mornings, and long hours. In the Boston area, there are several schools created for people in unique situations who are looking for different types of support in their education.
We've included a few programs below to get you started. Be sure to check out the Re-Engagement Center's website for more alternative high school programs, too.
Small class sizes, hands on learning, support for mental health and disability challenges
Jamaica Plain
Collaboration with Boston non-profits for nontraditional ed
South Boston
Evening classes, counseling services for students with full-time jobs
Roxbury
STEP #5: get supports in place
STEP #5: get supports in place
There are so many things outside of school that impact our ability to be present for our education. Below you'll find links to our other pages on getting essentials in place so you can show up as your best self at school.
Need help paying for transportation? Check out our page on Youth Pass.
Need to lock down groceries and lower bills? Check out our page on Essentials.
Could be better about your email game? Check out our Professional Communication module.
If you're involved DCF, do you wish they could support you more with your education needs? Check out our DCF Advocacy page.
We've also got some other education-specific resources available below:
STEP #5: consider the hi-set
STEP #5: consider the hi-set
Even with the right program and supports, it just might not be a good time to re-engage in high school. Constraints on your time, a job to keep up with, kids to take care of, or other things going on in life may be already keeping you busy. Also, if you are over 22 years of age, you are not allowed to be a student in the Boston Public Schools System.
Hi-SET is the name for the test in Massachusetts that people take to gain their High School Equivalency (HSE) credit. An HSE is seen as equal to a high school diploma, and will give you access to post-secondary education (PSE) and more job opportunities.
If you've been out of school for a couple years, feel individually motivated to finish school quickly, and do well with reading and taking tests, the Hi-SET might be a fit for you. Want to learn more? Check out our Hi-SET Prep Page for more information.
STEP #6: keep us in the loop
STEP #6: keep us in the loop
When anything changes about your school status, or you find yourself starting to need more support in education, let us know. We have resources and connections to help you enroll in school, withdraw from school, and advocate for your needs to get you the education you deserve.
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