<p>Adding alternatives: I’d also say don’t panic if S isn’t as far along as others in his post high school plans. Not everyone goes to a 4 year college. There are other viable options such as community colleges. A community college option could ease a lot of stress especially as to improving his GPA (if needed), taking/doing well on SAT/ACT off table, costs (financial and time involved) of applying to 4 year colleges, time to gain more focus/personal growth after hs graduation, etc. The military could be an option. </p>
<p>Just to clarify: my “as to improving his GPA” is not meant to say OP’s S shouldn’t be trying to do well while still in hs… He absolutely should. It’s meant to mean OP’s S has completed 5 semesters and if he is marginal GPA wise, he’s not going to push GPA needle much higher in one, possibly two semesters. Trying to do so could turn out to be a needless source of stress…</p>