<p>math in France is taught differently than in the US, with geometry and algebra taught together rather than separately. While ultimately, it is at a higher level than in the US, with ALL 12th graders being taught Calculus (though to a different level of difficulty depending on the track chosen--humanities; social sciences; sciences and math), along the way, it may make for a lower level in specific fields. Also, the terminology can trip up the unwary. It's not something that comes up in everyday conversation or reading Balzac.</p>
<p>How about he takes algebra 2 in school 11th grade, but takes a community college pre-calc course in between 11th and 12th, and calculus in school
in 12th grade?</p>
<p>That way he only has to waste 1 summer taking a summer school class,
he will be able to drive himself by then, and there will probably be fewer
hours in class anyway.</p>
<p>That's assuming you have a community college near you.</p>
<p>We re-evaluated since last October. He's doing so well in math and science that his dad and I -- plus the director of studies -- feel he should keep the options open for AP Calc senior year. </p>
<p>He starts his Algebra 2 class next Monday. Marite describes French math education the way I understand it -- not taught in the same format/sequence as US math. Therefore his high school will not allow credit for it. They will credit him for all his other sophomore year coursework, and he will start an additional foreign language -- he will be taking French, English and Italian.</p>
<p>We do not have good local community colleges -- the Director of Studies felt that almost any other class he could take at either the local state U or the local CC would be more remedial and full of kids that didn't pass it during the school year, and he wants my son in <em>Honors</em> <em>Accelerated</em> Algebra 2. He will take the course with the head of the math department, along with one other rising sophomore that's headed abroad for next year. The school has had good success with this plan for kids who have just finished Honors Geometry and took Honors Algebra 1 in 8th grade. It turns out that ithe course meets 2-3 days a week for 5 weeks. Lots of time left for summer activities including a family vacation.</p>
<p>He is very excited about his adventure -- has his flight dates, his family, his village, his rowing club, and his school and schedule in France all set. </p>
<p>We've been able to tweak the summer schedule to allow for summer athletics (crew) and drivers ed this summer. Next summer he will test for his drivers license in June and be able to drive himself to crew and algebra.</p>