How To Skip A Grade In South Africa

Below is How To Skip A Grade In South Africa

If you find that your current grade level (in elementary through high school) is not providing you with much of an academic challenge, skipping a grade may be the solution. Although skipping a grade is not a common practice, school administrators may be willing to allow this option for gifted students.

Look at the curriculum for the next grade level. Ask one of your current teachers or administrators if you could flip through the educational materials for grade two ahead of your own. Look through as much academic material as possible (for example, tests and reading assignments) to see if you’re close to understanding the concepts in the next grade.

You might change your mind about skipping a grade based on this, or you might come away even more convinced that it’s the right choice.

For instance, if you readily understand the Quadratic Formula, maybe you can skip pre-algebra.

If you’re already reading books for English class at a fast pace, the text assigned at the next grade level might provide a better challenge.

If you can look through tests for the next grade level (e.g. for science or social studies classes), look to see that the material looks challenging but not impossible.

Consider the social impact. Going up a grade is not just about academics; there is also the social interaction with other students to consider. Schools are where most individuals become socialized outside of the home, and social skills, life experiences, and the like are as valuable as academics. As a result, in many places in the world, schools try to keep students with peers and adjust their academics, rather than place a student out in an advanced setting.

Skipping a grade means you will be placed with students likely older and more mature than your current level. If you are less developed and mature, that can be a problem. Immature students are likely to have trouble developing relationships with more mature peers.

Changing grades doesn’t mean that you’ll lose old friends, but it will likely impact your relationships.

 It may not be worth moving up a grade if it means leaving all of your current friendships behind.

Going up a grade in order to avoid peer interactions is unlikely to be a good move. Instead of working through problems, learning social skills, maturing, and the like, trying to opt-out will likely not serve you in later life.

Skipping grades can also play out in your later school career in ways you have not considered. For example, after high school graduation, would you still be under 18? If so, that can greatly affect what you do after high school, For example, the military, many universities, and some employers will often not accept minors. You could be academically ready for the challenge but because of your age not be able to take the next step anyway.

Think about the effect on extracurricular activities. Think about if skipping ahead a grade will cause you to miss out on extracurricular activities like intramural sports, drama club, yearbook club, or marching band. While moving ahead in school won’t necessarily cause you to lose out on extracurricular subjects, it might complicate your schedule enough to keep you from participating. If a team is based on grade and not age, you may be competing with older and likely better players.

These elements of school are often just as important as the classes you’re in, and skipping a grade may affect your ability to participate in certain activities.

Skipping a grade may mean you also give up time on a school team. If you graduate early, you also give up your eligibility for the field hockey team, orchestra, or debate as well.

What are the requirements to skip a grade?

A Written Request. Put your request for skipping a grade in writing to the school principal and keep a copy.

Expert Guidance.

Academic Achievement.

Emotional Readiness.

Student Acceptance.

Need for Change.

How can I legally skip a grade?

A Written Request

Put your request for skipping a grade in writing to the school principal and keep a copy.

A written request is more likely to be carefully addressed than an oral one. Identify the student and the grade level you wish the student to skip. State your reasons for making the request.