Algebra 1 in 9th grade was the old norm when I was in high school. College-bound students were expected to complete up to precalculus and trigonometry in 12th grade, so that they would be ready for calculus when they enter college. Good-at-math students were a year advanced, taking algebra 1 in 8th grade leading to calculus in 12th grade as a bonus to get a head start on college level math. Occasional (one every few years) students taking algebra 1 in 7th grade and calculus in 11th grade were seen as top students in math.