<p>Fissie,
What is considered advanced placement for your daughter? Would it be algebra in 7th grade or algebra in 8th grade? or something even more advanced? Algebra in 7th grade will probably have your daughter in calculus in 11th grade, and algebra in 8th grade will have her in calculus in 12th grade. Does your school offer both options and are both options considered advanced? No matter what you decide, I think that algebra is an important step in math. If a kid doesn’t “get” algebra, they are going to have a hard time with all the math that follows. Definitely don’t rush things if your kid does not have a really good grasp of algebra. If your daughter ends up taking calculus as a senior, she’s not behind, and I really don’t think it will hurt her college options.</p>
<p>It appears that advanced has her taking Algebra I in 8th grade with Algebra II in 9th. There is an option to take Alg II over the summer and start with Pre cal-I think? in 9th (I’ve forgotten what I’ve read, lol!). I don’t really don’t think this would be for her. I just got finished looking at the high school which also offers the ability to double up in sophomore year and push yourself even harder beyond all this. </p>
<p>Bottom line, it appears that when the school is recommending advanced they are looking at alg I for 8th. I will have to make a phone call to verify. </p>
<p>Thanks again, everyone</p>
<p>^^^:Algebra I at 8th grade is the regular math sequence for any high school.
How is that an advance placement?</p>
<p>Parent of Ivy Hope, newsflash. Algebra 1 is not standard for 8th grade in most schools systems. Traditionally it is a 9th grade course in New York State. In our district about a third of the 8th graders take algebra. It was that way where I grew up as well.</p>
<p>Algebra I in 8th is reasonable. The most important is having a good foundation in algebra, it helps more than you can imagine.</p>
<p>Algebra 1 in 8th grade is NOT standard in our district. Algebra 1 in 9th grade is. The options that our district gives start in 7th grade when you can be selected for Algebra 1; pre-Algebra followed by Algebra 1 in 8th grade; or regular 7th grade math followed by regular 8th grade math. I <em>believe</em> that there is even an option for a lower than algebra 1 class in 9th grade if necessary. </p>
<p>Both my kids ended up taking Algebra 1 in 8th grade (D1 actually started Algebra 1 in 7th grade, but she had 2 undiagnosed LDs and it was a nightmare; a blessing in retrospect but a nightmare at the time.) And (gasp) D1 decided not to take calculus in HS and will still be attending college in the fall ;)</p>
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<p>This is not true at all. In my district, the bulk of students actually took two years to get through Algebra I - 9th and 10th grade. They then go on to geometry and topics of math. Some students do take Algebra I in ninth grade. I know that about 30 of us took Algebra I in seventh and about fifteen more took it in eighth, but my class (of about 250) was an anomaly. Usually about 15 students take Algebra I in seventh grade and then fifteen more in eighth grade. To get to calculus in my school is to be a very advanced student. The most advanced track was to start Algebra I in seventh grade, and then it was an option each of the following years. The local private school does not allow students to start Algebra I until ninth grade, no matter the circumstances.</p>
<p>Generally, it’s easier to drop down a rank than to go up one. I say the bigger crime is a lack of challenge. I was offered Algebra I in sixth grade but declined only because in the eighth grade I’d have to have someone drive me to the high school each day to take Algebra II. Most students can and do rise to the task of more advanced classes as long as they have a proper support system at home (which I think is true, in this class). Advanced classes, in my opinion, are not a matter of course content. It’s the students. Being surrounded by smarter, more motivated, well-behaved peers is key.</p>
<p><<^^^:Algebra I at 8th grade is the regular math sequence for any high school.>></p>
<p>No it’s not. </p>
<p>In our district, probably 25-30% of the students take Alg I in 8th grade but those are the strong math students. The rest of the students take 8th grade math and take Alg I in 9th grade.</p>