You’ve been dealing with bullying, and you don’t think it’s going to get better or you don’t feel comfortable staying around those people. Before asking your parents make sure your certain you’d like to switch (writing pros and cons may help). If you know this school will cost money, show them how much you want to go to this school despite the cost. You feel lost in the crowd of a large school with large classes, and you’d like a smaller environment. You feel like the school is too strict/nice and they never listen to your opinion. You don’t think your school is helping you academically. You might need a more challenging school or a school where you could have more individualized help. There’s another school that has programs you’re really interested in, like a superior drama, music, art, band, or sports program. The social environment is not what you want, maybe you don’t have a lot of friends or have different views than your peers. When presenting this reason, word it carefully so it doesn’t give your parents the idea that you just want to party. Don’t say it like the only thing in school is about having friends, either. Tell them you need a study buddy, and no one at your current school is willing to help you out. As you are writing down this reason, make sure it is important enough to switch. For example, if you just don’t like math, and your school gives you a lot of homework, that’s not a good reason to switch. Or, if your boyfriend or best friend goes to a different school, this is not necessarily a good enough reason to switch.
If you’re being bullied, you might want to make a mid-year switch. However, if you want to change to a school that will push you more academically, then you could consider switching for the next academic year, as this will be easier to arrange. Make a calendar on a piece of paper, or print out a calendar, and write the date you want to switch schools. Then, write down a date to have a conversation with your parents about changing. You want to give them as much advance notice as possible, at least a few months.
That way, you can tell your parents why you’d like to go to a different school. Look at schools based on your reason for switching. For example, if you want to change schools because you don’t feel challenged academically, look at schools that have a lot of honors programs.
Write a list of all the good things you find out about other schools. If you have friends, or even friends on Facebook, that go to schools you’d like to consider, ask them to tell you what they like about the school, so you can pass it along to your parents.
Practice saying all your reasons out loud to yourself in the mirror or to a friend.
Say something like, “Hey, Mom and Dad! Can we all sit down at the table together? I have something I’d like to talk about with you, and I’d really love to hear what you think. ” You want to let your parents know that this is important to you and that you appreciate them listening to your thoughts.
If you’re being bullied, don’t be too embarrassed to show them how much it’s affecting your performance at school and how much it hurts you. Say something like, “There is a group of kids in my class that writes mean notes to me every day and steal things out of my desk. They call me names, and it makes me sad. I’ve asked them to stop, and I’ve talked to the teacher, but they still do it behind her back. I have a hard time enjoying school or focusing because I can’t stop thinking about it. ” If you think you need a school with more academic attention say something like, “I’ve been having a hard time finishing my work in school because I don’t understand it. There are so many kids in my class that the teacher usually doesn’t have time to help me. ” Or, if you want more of a challenge, say, “I get all A’s at school because the work is too easy. I finish all my work first, and I end up just sitting there in class. My teacher doesn’t have time to make special assignments for me. ”
“I’m really interested in learning to play music. Jackson Middle School has the best band program in the state, and it’s only ten minutes away. I’d really get to work on my skills there. ” “St. John’s School only has 10 students in each class. If I went there, I’d be able to get more help with my work, and my grades would get better. ” “Central Middle School has a lot of science and math classes I could take. They even have a Physics class. I want to be an engineer one day, and it’s never too early to start learning. ”
End the conversation with a statement like: “Thanks for listening to me. Take some time to think about what I said, and let me know what you think. I really hope you’ll think about letting me change schools”
Make it clear to them that you’re unhappy in your school. Every day, tell them one little thing that bothered you at school when they ask about your day. For example, let them know, “We got our math tests back today, and I didn’t do so well. I went to ask my teacher a few questions about what I got wrong, but she didn’t have time to talk to me. ”
Don’t argue with them or talk back to them. Do the little things they ask the first time like cleaning your room and picking up after yourself.
For example, a good time to talk might be after dinner once everyone is full and the house is clean.
After you give them the letter, they’ll come to approach the conversation with you. This can take some of the pressure off of starting a serious conversation. Especially if you’re being bullied, you can use a letter to let your parents know exactly what your bullies are doing to you, so you don’t have to say it out loud, but your parents will still know how serious your situation is.
