Ideas for charity work for a junior in high school?

I'm terrible at math and science. Should I look into an arts-oriented high school for my last year?

• Before you read this, the concept of Middle School is non-existent here: Elementary School goes up to Grade 6, High School is from Grade 7-11, and then you do two years of college at another school in order to get into university. It's lame, I know, but it's Quebec.) I've been at my French international since Grade 7 and I'm in 10th now, and it's a decent school. We have six hours of math, French, and history (four hours of world, two of Canadian history) per week, including three hours of English, a mandatory third language, science and biology, and one hour of music, gym, and art per week. It's a pretty packed schedule, but a normal day starts at 8 and ends at 4, so it's not very different from other schools, and there's less work than at other schools too: We only have one exam throughout the "junior" high school cycle, and that is at the end of grade 10. Grade 11 is the beginning of a new cycle, where we go into detail and analysis, and it's more of a preparatory year for college. I know quite a lot of people who have left to go to another school for Grade 11. I've got my goals set out for me in my life: I'm terrible with math and the sciences, and I've been developing my artistic side more and more. In fact, I do quite well in the arts, the languages and history (in the 80-95% range) but my scientific grades have been bringing my average down (my math is in the 40% range...). The other day I did a math test and I literally could do nothing. I tried a question, then flipped the paper over and wrote a very apologetic letter to my teacher saying I really didn't want to come off as arrogant but that I just couldn't understand anything. I've been thinking of applying to an arts-oriented school for Grade 11 - after all, it would be quite pointless for me to stay because they are doing some strange new reform with all the French international schools in Canada or something, and a core education in art, or at least two terms thereof, would be a great preparation for college and university later on. My three strongest points are fine arts, music, and literature, and even though "math is used in every aspect of life", I doubt 11th grade calculus and learning how to make a short circuit will be absolutely necessary. My parents are afraid that I'll lose all the culture they taught at the French school if I go to a Canadian school, where they only have a few hours of Canadian history per week. I don't see how this is a problem, as we're beginning a new cycle anyway - we've already learned the essential in the "junior" cycle - but my mother is still apprehensive about this. What do you think based on this very bizarre little resumé of my school? Should I stay at the school where we are instructed things that might come in useful if I were ever to switch ideas and where I could also get my French Baccalauréat diploma and go study in Europe, but that doesn't offer the things I do best, or would it be better for me to go to that art school and really develop what I'd always planned on doing so I can become the best I can be (and go to France anyway, diploma or not)? Thanks for taking the time to read this. I'm really not sure as to what to do (again, I don't want to seem like the arrogant little girl who makes mindless decisions just because she doesn't want to make an effort in math. I can honestly say it takes me a very long time to understand, even with my tutor, and once I get to school, I've already forgotten everything... I think the left side of my brain is rotting.) Thanks again!

• Answer:

  You did not say whether or not you are required to take math and science in your final year of school before pre-university -- please note that I tried my damnedest to understand your schedule, but me, being stuck in my American private school system, I found it hard to understand, so please forgive. I do believe that the most important thing about high school is to do more what you love doing, rather than what you have to do. I suggest, strongly, that you apply to an arts-and-literature oriented school. Yes, you may not get the essentials you may need by having math and science, but I think what is most important is doing what you love doing, and you obviously love the arts, so I strongly suggest applying. Also, I do not know what colleges in Québec are like, but in the United States, you are required, I believe, to take a science and a math your first year. Of course, this may be different in Québec, but if that's an option, I say seize the opportunity to take a college-level math and science, as it may help you better than high school math. Ultimately, I suggest going for an all-arts school for your last year. All the best ♥