My family is considering moving internationally end of this year. I will start my Junior year, early August 2015. My GPA is 3.5 and I hope to graduate with a total of 7 AP’s. The problem with the move is, I will have to repeat Junior year in Aug 2016, as the schools we are looking at internationally have an IB program and I cannot start mid school year. I plan to quit my current high school after first quarter, and take some online college level courses during the break. And hope to start Junior year again in the new school IB curriculum in August 2016
I am worried about the gap in schooling, but hope to take some meaningful courses during my break. I also do not understand how this will affect my college application, as I want to come back here to California for my Undergrad.
The gap in schooling is not a problem given your reasons.
Have your parents specifically asked about enrolling mid year? Some international schools would have no problem with you doing that.
If you are moving to a country where another language is spoken, one good use of your gap semester would be to attend a language institute and get started at mastering that language.
Interesting. You wouldn’t be the first person I’ve heard of needing to repeat because of complications of an overseas move. (Sometimes it’s just a different school schedule, or an imbalance in levels.) Would you move end of 2015 or end of junior year? If it’s end of 2015 and you’d be in your new home by spring 2016, you could take the courses online as you said – but also, if it’s not an English speaking country, do things like study the language, volunteer in ways that help you get to know the culture, etc. It’s a great opportunity if you use it. I don’t know anything about the Cali system or explaining gaps in schooling, but the reasoning makes sense to me … others could help there, I’m sure.
Welcome to expat life 
Thanks for the replies…Because I will be transferring from an AP system to an IB system, the schools are suggesting that I move in 1 month start school year in Aug 2015 or repeat Junior year. My parents cannot move in 1 month, so I have no choice but to move mid school year. I am only worried about my college admission into the UC system.
How about doing online high school for a year? I would think repeating junior year and being behind all your classmates would be depressing.
It sounds like you have a specific target school or schools in mind. Is there any possibility of you moving ahead of the rest of your family and starting at your IB school this fall? Your target school might be able to help find a temporary rooming situation with a family or teacher associated with the school, or point you to some other resources.
Another option might be to see if you can arrange with the target IB school(s) to start the IB curriculum online in August, to minimize the catch-up period. The majority of groups are available:
http://www.pamojaeducation.com/IB-online-courses/
These are only available to students attending an IB diploma or programme school, but if you have an IB target school that is willing to sponsor you starting courses online to minimize the transition, it could probably be arranged. It would cost a bit, but probably less than taking another full year, and you are already looking at taking college courses online if you have to fill a gap. Another problem is that I don’t see any Group 1 or 4 DP subjects offered, but that is something that might be explored, or worked around. The idea would be that you would start the IBD curriculum online, and then merge into the curriculum at your future school once your family moved at the end of 2015. This could only be done with the full cooperation and support of your target school, but might be worth exploring.
Both are probably long shots, but those are the only alternatives I can think of at the moment. Either would show initiative and maturity that would be positives when applying to colleges.
@GMTplus7 On the term ‘expat’: http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/mar/13/white-people-expats-immigrants-migration
OP, where are you going?
I’m not sure this is an option for you or that you’re family would consider it, but one of D’s best friends is staying behind with relatives while her parents and younger siblings are moving overseas. Her dad got a job in the middle east and the family decided to have her stay and finish high school here.
Try not to worry about the UC admissions. You’re more than likely to be fulfill all requirements with your IB courses.
That said, when you’re registering for classes, be sure to print out and have the “a. - g.” requirements in front of you,
so that you are clear on what’s mandatory and what’s optional. Besides, think of the wonderful essays that this move will generate.
Some good suggestions and options up-thread about how to not repeat your junior year, unless you want to,
My Daughter had a similar scenario except we moved to Germany at the end of Sophomore year…that second semester was really a bust. But she was able to start the IB program Junior year.
Are you moving to Australia or somewhere where the school year does not start in Aug?
As far as applying to college…my DD had no problems. The IB Diploma is well known. You will have to do Community, Action and Service (CAS) for IB so that gives you some Extra curriculars.
I would not advise to stay behind…embrace this chance to live abroad…you don’t re
you don’t realize how your culture influences the way you think/act until you live in another one.