Thanks Trinity--you give great advice. I really mean it.
The principal is out until Friday or Monday so I'll have to wait to talk to him. I agree that we use this as a "learn from" experience and I think DS agrees. I also agree it would be better to take courses not offered at HS, and I can't tell you how thick the pile of printouts from different online courses is on my desk. Out of them, he really wants this English class. Part of me can't resist that gumption. I have to give it more thought (already it's dominated my thoughts for weeks, but I go around in circles).
