I immigrated to U.S 26 years ago as an adult. Now, my S is 13 year old and in 8th grade. He will be HS next year. Because I didn’t go HS here so I don’t know how are these math classes are being taught here in US. Searching over the webs, most say:
Is that a standard/requirement? Can he taking math’s courses in the summer so he can take higher courses in math? I have heard other kids taking Calculus 2/3 while they’re in HS. What are initial step should I do to get these info? Contact his school?
That is pretty standard. My son’s school allowed him to take Algebra 2 and Geometry over the summers (long days got through an entire year’s worth of curriculum). He took Calc AB in 10th grade, Calc BC as a Junior, and this year is taking Multivariable Calculus. Talk to his school – if they don’t offer summer school classes ask if he can take a community college course.
Some kids in our district take “double math” in a particular high school grade to catch up. Some high schoolers take Algebra II/Math III (common core) and Pre-Calculus at the same time. Neither are very difficult and they can be done in the same year.
The most common US math sequence (if they don’t do some sort of combo math) is:
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Trig/Pre-calculus
Calculus (some schools have AP Calc AB as a prerequisite for AP Calc BC while others allow you to choose to take one or the other)
Many schools also offer AP Statistics which can be taken instead of or in addition to Calculus. (It is a non-calculus version of statistics, so some think it’s better to the Statistics in college.)
Traditionally Algebra 1 was a 9th grade course, but many (most?) school systems will allow a good portion of 8th graders to take it. Some school systems have Algebra 1 offered earlier, or you can petition to have your kid start earlier. In my school system only 3 kids out of 600 took Algebra 1 in 7th grade the year my oldest was in 7th grade. A handful of other kids in his class caught up with those kids by taking pre-calc in the summer and they ended up offering a linear algebra course when they were all seniors.
As for what your kid can do, it really depends on the school system. It was like pulling teeth to get my son placed into algebra in 7th grade. (Even though I knew at least one kid had been double advanced a few years earlier.) Our high school was much more accommodating than the middle school.
Is your kid bored out of his mind in unchallenging math classes? Because I’ve seen some real educational disasters with kids accelerated through math they weren’t ready for. Don’t rush through math levels just to rush through math levels. It is still perfectly fine for a college freshman to start in calculus 1.
What is his current math path and current level of math achievement?
My “mathy” kid took algebra in 7th, And wound up taking a math class or two during HS summers from a college, so he took through differential equations while in HS. He did wind up majoring in math also. I am not recommending this, just saying it can be done.
For the math lovers - no summer nor college courses, but class sizes were very small, especially as a senior
Grade 7 - Algebra I
Grade 8 -Geometry and Alg 2 (includes basic trig)
Grade 9 - Pre-calc (analytic geometry and some trig) and AP stats
Grade 10 - AP Calc BC and Computer science/programming
Grade 11 - Mutlivariable Calculus and Real Analysis,
Grade 12 - Linear Algebra and Differential Equations
We did NOT push our pups for this in 7th grade - just sort of happened because they wanted to challenge themselves. Plenty of kids don’t have these options, or don’t choose them. Some might have other options.
Lots of other kids waited until Sr year to take AP stats,
Grade 7 - Algebra I
Grade 8 - Geometry
Grade 9 - Algebra II
Grade 10 - Pre Cal
Grade 11 - no math (doubled up on science)
Grade 12 Ap Calc AB
No problem at all with the colleges. Now, he isn’t engineering and doesn’t need calculus in college. He could have done more by taking a math in 11th grade.
I did (and this is very unusual, only one other kid in my grade did something similar I think)
7th grade:
Algebra I
8th grade: (these are the only two hs math classes you can realistically double up on)
Geometry and Algebra II (online)
9th grade:
Pre-calc (also online, didnt need to be)
10th grade: (some schools require AP Calc AB before BC, mine doesn’t)
AP Calc BC
11th: (taken dual enrollment at a local college)
Semester 1: Multivariable Calc
Semester 2: Ordinary Differential Equations
12th: (also DE)
Linear Algebra
This schedule is far from standard. Many strog math kids take AP calculus junuor or senior year and positbly AP Statistics. If your kid does really well, is bored in math, and wants a challenge however there are options like doubling up on geometry and algebra 2 to get ahead. Check local college websites to see if they allow high schoolers to take classes (dual enrollment), what he prerequisets would be, and how fiancially and logistically feasable that would be for you schedule. Again though, 99.9 percent of kids dont do this!
Be aware that these forums have a high concentration of top-end students, so starting algebra 1 in 7th grade is more common among forum posters(’ kids) than overall college-bound students.
When I went to high school, the standard sequence was:
Stronger students in math, based on middle school assessments, went into the following sequence (+1 sequence). These students made up about a tenth of the class, or about a third of those who went on to four year universities as college frosh after high school graduation.
8th grade: algebra 1
9th grade: geometry
10th grade: algebra 2
11th grade: precalculus / trigonometry
12th grade: calculus BC (AB added as an option later)
A few of the strongest students in math (perhaps one every few years) started algebra 1 in 7th grade (+2 sequence):
As a practical matter, there are some advantages to being in the +1 sequence over the standard sequence, since the student may be able to shorten math prerequisite sequences in college for some majors (however, it is best to try the college’s old final exams for calculus courses before deciding whether to skip any based on high school calculus or AP scores). A very small number of (generally highly selective) colleges explicitly require or recommend calculus in high school for admission, but this is not the case for most colleges. Being in the +2 sequence does not gain as many practical advantages over the +1 sequence (though if college math beyond calculus is available locally, it may be useful to keep the student interested if s/he likes math and is good at it) as being in the +1 sequence gains over being in the standard sequence.
Post #10 lays out the usual HS sequence. Some students will start with the list in 8th grade and add AP Calculus to the list. A very few (rare) will start the sequence even earlier and/or skip classes because they know the material.
Also, some who take 8th grade Algebra will repeat it as HS freshmen because it is best to have a firm/good foundation instead of zooming along. My son’s school district did this to benefit students in the long run. Remember, it is not a race for how many courses are taken but rather learning that counts.
Sounds like a typical math list- except as noted above that geometry, not trig, is a whole class. Please do not push your child(ren). Those that are good in math and interested will go ahead and take all of these classes. Those with little interest may quit before calculus and use the class slot for something they like better. My son was able to add AP statistics to his schedule, taking both it and AP calculus as a HS senior. Different school districts do things differently. Your son is likely to be prepared for college classes wherever he goes, and whatever he chooses to major in when the time comes.
Please note another post where boredom is noted. IF your son is gifted in math he may need more acceleration. Most do fine with the curriculum, even those who are A students. This is a matter for discussion with your son and his guidance counselor. Always remember that people can be good at something but prefer another area. Also note that taking AP calculus does not mean skipping the first semester of calculus in college- that will depend on where he goes to college in the distant future. Knowledge gained in HS helps with college.
As always, remember that your son’s schooling is to give him a broad and balanced education with a good knowledge and skills foundation plus rounding it out with arts, music, sports and other activities. My H from India had a far less well rounded education than I did, including post HS. American education is a wonderful thing.
Following your district’s math sequence will be fine if your son ends up choosing math as his major at a good/elite college, chooses a science/engineering field or something totally nonmath related.
Regarding trying to accelerate your son’s math education. Do not push. Let his interest and ability be the guide. By now you likely know if he is gifted as identified by your school district. Many can get all A’s while being very bright, well above average. For most gifted students the district’s math curriculum will be fine. Only if your son is extremely interested in math should any extra work be done to satisfy him. In HS there may be math teams and other ways to be more involved with it. But- this is interest, not ability, determined.
btw- you do not know your son’s path. At your son’s age I definitively stated I would only take the minimum required science in HS- I was a chemistry major in college. Kids grow and change every year. I also chose my major because I liked it, not the economics suggested by my teacher of that (took a couple of college courses, not my thing). Be sure your son gets the language arts, 4 years worth of a foreign language and nonacademic classes to round out his education.
A discussion with his guidance counselor for parents (without your child) regarding course sequences and requirements by the school district and colleges can be scheduled. Your questions can be answered there. An internet search can be a wonderful thing (including a visit to this site) but there is no substitute for knowing your local information. In person.
Sorry for the mess up list. Yes, it was suppose geometry, not the trig.
My son is currently taking a class called honor math class, whatever it means, but I assume it is harder than regular 8th grader one. However, I checked his homework everyday and I am so much in surprised that what they have taught in his grade. It is as same level as in 5th grade we learned in VN. I asked him about the class and he told me it’s too easy. He told me that he’s interesting in engineering. Engineering majors would be required many math classes. With what they teach in school now, there would be a long way in College for him. I could be wrong that’s why I created this thread asking for opinions which is the best way approaching.
It may help others help you if you found out what the actual math course progression in your middle and high school is, and which of the courses he is in now.
Post #10 is how the majority of students in our public school would progress through Math. About 24 out of 230 students take Algebra I in 8th grade. This is selected by standardized scores and 7th grade teacher recs. A good majority of those students will go on to take Geometry in 9th grade, although a handful will re-take Algebra I if their grades were below about an 85. Those that need to take Algebra I in high school will not be on a trajectory to get to Calculus so during sophomore year (I think) some double up with Geometry and Algebra II.
Regarding engineering, I think its very important that a student has exposure to Calc before starting college. A co-worker who lives in my town told me her son felt already behind the eight ball in the fall of freshman year as he hadn’t had calc. OP, I suggest finding the HS math sequence and whether your son will be able to double up.