Members pursue college, trades, and careers on their own terms and their own timelines. BSLC offers the support they need to get where they want to go.
Throughout the year, we facilitate a weekly meeting for members who are making big plans for life after BSLC. During these weekly check-ins, we strategize about how to navigate new stages of life: anything from applying for college, to preparing for job interviews, to learning how to drive. No matter the path, the Transitions Program is a place to think out loud and get practical help moving forward.
Although not strictly necessary, many BSLC members choose to get some type of high school credential. There are two main paths.
The most straightforward—and least expensive—path. When someone passes one of these tests, they earn a high school credential that is legally equivalent to a high school diploma. Staff at BSLC can help members prepare for either exam.
Schools like North Atlantic Regional High School allow homeschoolers to create academic portfolios to earn diplomas. These schools work directly with families, and assign advisors who offer individualized portfolio guidance. They charge fees for those services. BSLC can help members strategize about how to use BSLC resources to build those portfolios, and can help document academic work.
Bay Staters have been accepted to many colleges and universities, including:
Many also choose to take advantage of free community college available in Massachusetts. While at BSLC, members can take community college courses through dual enrollment.
A number of our members have found rewarding careers in the trades, sometimes through union apprenticeships, sometimes through other training routes. We're always glad when they come back to share what they've learned with current members considering the same path.
Sometimes a young person's goal is to return to a traditional school setting for all or part of high school. BSLC staff can help them prepare for what they'll encounter. The process of re-enrolling is straightforward; at most, the school will require some placement tests.