Calculus in 9th grade?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

I am in 8th grade currently, and taking Geometry. Which, as many are aware of, is a bit advanced. However, I have the amazing chance to take Algebra II over the summer. In other words, I’ll be placed in Calculus, in freshman year.

Of course, I’m ecstatic about this; over zealous, even. I used to struggle with math, but I can confidently say I’m happy where I am. The main reason as to why I’m contributing to this plan is to have more time, in later high school years, to take other courses I am interested in that may contribute to my desirable career, (astronomy, astrophysics, quantum physics, mechanics, extra curricular such as piano/art, etc.) and to potentially take higher math courses! (The slight thought even excites me.)

Of course, however, problems come with it. It is more than likely that I’ll be chastised among my class, specifically among my friends, since they also have big aspirations, and will therefore distance themselves away from me; perhaps due to jealously. Although, I am definitely not putting my petty social life before precious education; but I simply don’t want to fail anyone. And, the general course will, with no doubt, not be easy.

So, will it be hard? I realize that’s a stupid question to ask, but, I am a motivated student, and I hope that will bring me far. I’m also taking chemistry in 9th grade. I take a large interest in the variety sciences.

Anyway, what are your thoughts on this? Any advice? Should I do it?
Thank you.

  • Daphney.
2

Don’t you have to take trig/precalc first?

3

While all that is fine and dandy, what math courses are available to you after the 9th grade? Accelerating your math sequence only makes sense if you have post-calculus options (and of course, if you can handle the workload in calculus).

4

Fully in my opinion, Pre-Calculus may be rather trivial. I was considering that, but I’d rather jump to Calculus first. And, at my school, they don’t offer trigonometry (I don’t think.) Of course, however, I’ll probably take the course elsewhere.

5

There are a variety of higher math courses I can take in sophomore year, and so on, at a community college, or even online. I would definitely not be restricted to only Calculus. Again, there are multiple other potential math courses, after Calculus, even involving science.

6

My understanding is that precalculus provides a necessary bridge between Algebra 2 and Calculus. It also seems unlikely your school doesn’t offer trig. I think it would be in your best interest to speak with someone at your high school to get their opinion, as an eighth grader doesn’t have enough of a background have a fully informed opinion.

7

Precalc is not necessarily trivial. Wouldn’t it be awful to take such an advanced class and then crash and burn because you don’t have a good foundation to help you succeed?

8

Oh no, trust me, you’re going to want to take Pre calculus before you jump on to Calculus. I was in the same situation as you, I’d finished alg1 ag2 and geometry before 9th grade. I took precalc this year as a freshman and let me tell you, there was A LOT that I didn’t know already that will be used in calculus. My guesses is that your algebra 2 class will not cover trigonometric identities, limits, basic derivatives… All things that you learn in precalc that are essential to Calculus. So from someone who was in a similar situation, let me tell you that precalc is not trivial and I highly suggest that you take it before jumping to Calculus. Also, a precalc course will let you know if you’re up to the challenge of Calculus. Some students aren’t.

9

“will therefore distance themselves away from me; perhaps due to jealously.”

I’ve known many students who took calc freshman year. You might want to take a placement test (look on line for one) to ensure that you have a strong enough background. The need for pre-calc depends upon the extent of your foundation. Nobody on this site can answer that question. Students in the US spend an inordinate amount of time on review. Students in other countries move on. If you find that you have a strong enough background, don’t let what others typically do influence your decision making. If you were to poll the students at STEM schools like CMU, MIT and CalT, you’d find that many had far more than the typical amount of math when they entered college and that most from other countries had more.

10

What kind of algebra2 class are you getting over the summer? Is this an honors level class or a regular level class (our school offers these summer classes for the kids who failed the first time around). You need to make sure you are getting the right type of course or else you won’t be well-prepared to move on. Trigonometry is probably included in algebra2–it usually is, though it could also be covered in precalculus, depending on the school. But you need to find out about this because I could imagine that trig is not included in a regular level summer class but would be in an honors class.

I think skipping precalculus is a very bad idea and I think you are in for a shock going from middle school into calculus without the usual prerequisites. Jumping ahead of your friends? Don’t let your small competitive environment lead you to do things which aren’t in your best educational interest. I don’t see the purpose of skipping material to get “ahead” with a shaky foundation and I think there is a real risk you won’t do as well as you expect in calculus.

“I am in 8th grade currently, and taking Geometry. Which, as many are aware of, is a bit advanced.” That’s what the top 1/3 of kids in our middle school are doing. You should not assume that because you are in geometry now that you can skip into calculus next year and breeze through it.

11

I fully respect your opinion. But, I know many people who profess how well they did in Calculus, without any knowledge in Pre-Calc. Of course, this can be nonsensical drivel I’m spewing out, but I find it to be somewhat obsolete, based off of what trusted people have told me. I’ll most definitely be chastised for this, since I’m a little 13-year old girl who ‘knows nothing’, but, I’m confident I’ll be fine without pre-calculus. If not, I’ll deal with the consequences. As simple as that. (I can’t wait to see the responses to this.)
Also, I checked on my school website; they do not offer trigonometry, unfortunately.

12

I’d be taking algebra II at a college.

13

You asked for our opinions, but if you were just going to disregard everybody and stick to your mindset, then you shouldn’t have asked in the first place.

14

If they don’t offer trigonometry, it’s because they include it in algebra2 and/or precalculus. Most schools don’t have a separate course for it. But you should know this if you are so sure about what math you need to take and what you need to skip–one of the things that concerns me is you don’t seem that well informed about high school level math in general yet you are very confident you don’t need to take a course whose curriculum you don’t know much about.

I’m surprised your GC and parents would agree to this. Have you discussed your plan with the calculus teacher? Yes, if you are really talented at math and the sort of kid who reads math books for fun on your own, it could work. But there’s also a good chance that it won’t go so well. Then you won’t be in a good position to move on to more advanced math and you’ll have bad grades/scores on your record. Have you done math competitions such as mathcounts and AMC/AIME? If you aren’t the type to do a lot of math on your own and/or to be very successful in competition math, I am not optimistic about how this will go for you.

Incidentally, my first kid did take calculus in 9th grade. I wouldn’t have allowed her to skip over precalculus, and even having had precalc and algebra2 in middle school, she found the class to be at an appropriate level–she did very well but didn’t think it was a trivial breeze.

15

Your opinions may effect my decision. I’m definitely backing out of this, now. I still want to take Algebra II over the summer, but now I don’t know what I should take afterwards. I apologize if I came across as a pretentious person. I don’t think of myself THAT highly, as you all may strictly think.

Again, I am taking your opinions into consideration. It may not seem to apparent, but I am.

16

See how well you do in Algebra II college class. If you excel and get an A, then taking Calculus as a Freshman, may be feasible. I would also contact your HS and see if you can get the Calculus class syllabus so you can see if you are prepared for the class. As stated above, also check into a placement test to make sure you have the math background to succeed.

17

No matter HOW you decide, think about using Khan Academy and other sites to supplement the classes. Don’t go so fast that everything becomes shaky.

Good luck!

18

Thank you! It’s refreshing to see a motivating comment. I’m reconsidering my plan, but I am still motivated to pursue a similar plan.
Again, thanks, and I’ll try my best.

19

If it’s AP Calc AB, you might be fine taking it in 9th grade, but if you want to do AP Calc BC, I would take Honors Pre-calc in 9th grade and Calc BC in 10th grade, and I think AP calc BC would be more aligned with your future goals, so I’d slow down a little.

Something else to consider is how you’d fare socially in a class with all upperclassmen. I’m taking AP Calc BC this year as a sophomore, and the rest of my class are juniors and seniors, I don’t know any of them very well, and I’m kinda bad at making friends, so I don’t really talk to them much. It’s not so bad this year because I’ve gotten a lot more confident and social since entering high school, but the class would have been pretty intimidating as a freshman. That might just be me, but this might be something to think about, depending on your personality.

20

I’m not sure what to think about an algebra2 class in college. Seeing as algebra2 is a graduation requirement for a high school diploma in many places, I guess I’m skeptical that a college course would be at the same level you’d get in high school, because presumably the students enrolled would be those who somehow couldn’t master it in high school. Not really the honors students. Do you have a syllabus or a textbook? Have other students from your school successfully used this class as a substitute for honors algebra2? Are the math teachers familiar with it?