Ask your child to identify her main difficulty in school. She may struggle with specific classes, dislike a teacher, feel ostracized by her peers or frequently get into trouble. Listen closely without minimizing her concerns or telling her what to do.
Meet with a high school counselor with your child present. Tell the counselor you are concerned about your child's academic progress and experience at the school. Allow your child to explain his difficulties and reasons for wanting to quit school.
Work with your child and the counselor to create an action plan. Discuss specific actions your child will take to improve her grades and overall high school experience. Include teachers in your discussions to determine what steps must be taken to improve your child's performance.
Hire an academic tutor to help your student bring up her grades. Ask the tutor to hold one-on-one sessions with your child several times per week. Request weekly updates from the tutor on your child's progress.
Find a volunteer program that matches struggling students with older mentors. Interacting with a mentor helps your high school student stay motivated to achieve in school and complete high school.
Ask your child what he wants to do for a career. Most careers require at least a high school diploma, while others require college degrees. Research job opportunities with your child to illustrate the importance of completing high school. Note differences in salary between high school graduates and dropouts.
Locate an alternative school to which your child can apply. Offer to allow your child to transfer schools if she dislikes her school for a specific reason. Look for vocational high schools or schools for at-risk students that may better fit your child's academic needs.