Been there, done that

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Home : 2003 : May : 22

Been there, done that
By Young'un

I should have been allowed to progress from kindergarten to second grade (different schools), but my parents were worried about the same things others have mentioned. Instead, I ended up ahead of my classmates, going to
the next grade for reading and eventually for math and reading. Finally my parents decided that was silly, and I skipped fourth grade.
My birthday is in July. I graduated from high school at sixteen and from college at twenty. By age twenty-one I had my first teaching contract.
My best friend in high school was a year and a half older than I. Since I was in the band, I had many

friends both older and younger. There were only a few times that I felt that my age was a problem.

1) In seventh grade I quit soccer because they wanted to put me on a sixth-grade team (based on age rather than grade level).

2) My school required its student to take "State and Local," which included driver's education, during the sophomore year. I was only fourteen, but they would not let me defer it even until summer school. (That was only for those who wanted to take it early or who had failed it during the year.)

3) I can't think of anything else.

I do have sister who is two years older than I. I ended up a year behind her in school. She never seemed to mind, and it didn't matter that I couldn't drive until my senior year because she was there.

I would say only the parents know whether their daughter is ready now. Worrying about what might (or might NOT) happen in the future is not particularly useful.

By the way, I was in honors classes all the way through high school. I loved science and math, defying the stereotypes about girls. I was active in music, speech and debate, yearbook, and clubs. I don't feel that I missed anything by being so much younger than my classmates.

Have your friend e-mail me if she wants to ask me any questions about my experiences.