<p>I’ve taken high school, 4 year university, and California Community College classes.</p>
<p>I’d say that the main difference between high school and community college level classes is that they really hold your hand through high school. Community college level courses expect a somewhat deeper understanding, but without as much busy work. If you’re self motivated, you’ll do well in community college. If you’re not, you’ll do better in high school, and conversely if you hate busy work you might do poorly in high school. So community college classes are easier for a ‘go getter’, but also provide a better understanding.</p>
<p>As for university and community college, I don’t see much difference at the lower division level. You’ll have more people who just don’t care in the CC GEs–although there are a lot of people who don’t care at the university level–but as you move into the more advanced/specialized classes at the CC the unmotivated tend to drop out.</p>
<p>If you’re talking about transferring to a UC school, though, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Depending on your kid, my <em>impression</em> is that it’s easier for a motivated CCC student to transfer in than a high school student to gain Freshman admission. The UCs will certainly respect CCC work because, whether or not it’s harder than HS work, it’s appropriate preparation for UC work.</p>
<p>And, yes, language courses are much quicker than in high school. It’s certainly not because it’s harder to learn a language at that age. I think that there are just <em>much</em> lower expectations in a mandatory high school language course than an elective college course.</p>
<p>Now, I would be interested to know what path to admission your son receives. Does age matter at all when considering CCC transfer admission? Presumably you’d have to be around 18 to transfer in as a junior, if you started at 16. I’m just curious because the wife and I are a fan of home schooling and want to lay out similar options when we have kids.</p>
<p>Hope this helps,
Joe</p>