u/Healthy_Station_8390

I’m an incoming high school junior living with my adoptive parent (my aunt), and the home environment is really unhealthy. She has told me she doesn’t want me and doesn’t love me like a son, and being around her is emotionally draining. I don’t want to stay in this situation long-term, but I also don’t want to get her in legal trouble or make things worse.

Because of this, I’m trying to figure out if there’s a way to become more independent sooner, especially through education. I’m a strong student and i’m eligible for several full-ride scholarships, but most of them don’t open until senior year, which feels too far away given my current situation.

Are there realistic ways to graduate early or start college sooner (like dual enrollment, early college programs, or other pathways), especially for someone with limited financial resources? Are there programs or schools that support students in difficult home environments before senior year?

Also, who should I talk to (school counselors, social workers, etc.) to explore these options safely and without automatically causing legal trouble for my guardian?

I’m an incoming high school junior living with my adoptive parent (my aunt), and the home environment is really unhealthy. She has told me she doesn’t want me and doesn’t love me like a son, and being around her is emotionally draining. I don’t want to stay in this situation long-term, but I also don’t want to get her in legal trouble or make things worse.

Because of this, I’m trying to figure out if there’s a way to become more independent sooner, especially through education. I’m a strong student and i’m eligible for several full-ride scholarships, but most of them don’t open until senior year, which feels too far away given my current situation.

Are there realistic ways to graduate early or start college sooner (like early college programs or other pathways where i can start living inside a dorm that can be covered by scholarships), especially for someone with limited financial resources? Are there programs or schools that support students in difficult home environments before senior year?

Also, who should I talk to (school counselors, social workers, etc.) to explore these options safely and without automatically causing legal trouble for my guardian?