High School questions

Hello, I am a new user on CC. I have a few questions about HS. I am currently a Freshman in HS. I moved in from another place to the US in 7th grade and was denied Algebra I in 7th or 8th grade and am thus taking Algebra I in 9th grade. I would like to take AP Bio, AP Chem and AP Phys, unlike a lot of kids in school, I only wish to take AP in subjects I am interested in. I currently have a 99 average in Algebra I and am doubling up on Geometry H and Algebra II H. I will be taking Bio H from Env Science CP on recommendation. My counselor also agreed with me and my wish to take Chem H online over the same year I take the courses above. Essentially, I am doubling up on math AND science. I am not worried about science as it is my strength. Has anyone doubled up on Algebra II and Geometry (Honors both)? Was it difficult? I do well in math, its strength to me too.

In general is the concept hard or the rigor hard?

It is certainly possible to do well on both algebra and geometry in the same year, but what will be your total workload? You’ll likely have to take English, foreign language and social science as well. AP or not, it may be just too much to squeeze into 24 hours.

Good for you for only taking AP’s you are interested in.

Geometry and Algebra can be taken at the same time because one isn’t foundational for the other.

Enjoy high school!

Next year I will take English 10 Honors, US History I CP (I am eligible for Honors but am dropping it), French II CP.
I am currently in English 9 Honors, doing A’s. World History CP (99.2) and French A-'s.

My DD had a few friends double up and it was challenging. That said, I don’t think they were the strongest students and their parents pushed them to do it so they could reach calc by 12th grade. My daughter double and tripled up in math/science junior and senior year and love it. I think if that’s your strength, and that you are driving the decision, you’ll enjoy it.

Absolutely! Thanks for the feedback. I just looked at the Geometry H course syllabus, didn’t seem too complicated. After all, I am dropping a class and taking another instead. Thanks for the help!

FYI, my daughter was in a similar situation to you (moved to US, different school calendars, skipped first half of 8th grade…bottom line couldn’t do algebra 1 before high school). Rather than doubling up on the math, she got her geometry credit in summer school (through her school district, but there were other options to do it too) in the summer between freshman and sophomore year. Just an option to think about.

Lots of kids at D20’s high school double up on geometry and algebra II. Also, several will double up on science by taking biology and chemistry. Not sure if they’re doing all four of those classes the same year. (My own child prefers doing one at a time and isn’t interested in AP science anything.)

where I lived and went to school it was extremely rare for anyone to take algebra 1 before 9th grade. However it was very common to take both geometry honors and algebra 2 honors in 10 grade. If your strong in math I think you will be fine.

There’s not too much overlap between geometry and algebra, so I think you’ll be fine. I loved geometry, was okay with algebra. (I’m an architect now.) In our school kids who didn’t like their math placement often ended up taking pre-calc/trig over the summer - but every school system is different about what the best ways are to accelerate if you are unhappy with your initial placement. Good luck.

Be cautious of the type of online chemistry course you will take if you are planning on a science major in college. Some colleges will accept the AP credit for general requirements but not toward a major. Make sure it has a high quality lab component that will be completed at a local college or at your high school.

I doubled up with geometry and algebra 1 actually. There was no other option for me. It worked great for me. I think all 2/geo would work great too. I went on to complete calc in high school and get a bs in math and a bs in computer science. I actually work as a math tutor at times.

My son currently in 10th grade doubled up on PreAp Geometry and PreAp Algebra 2 this year so that he could get in PreCalc and then AP Calc AB his junior and senior years. Since our school district has accelerated block scheduling and they only have 4 classes in a semester, scheduling wise it was easy. Geometry he had in the fall semester and he’s in Algebra 2 right now.