My dd finished Algebra II in grade 7 with A- and Geometry in Grade 8 with A- (most likely). The school policy is that in order to go to Precalculus Honor class in Grade 9. She has to get A in both Algebra II and Geometry since she is in acceleration math program. My DD is interest in STEM program (computer science). Should she take pre-calculus instead of repeating the Algebra in Grade 9 and Geometry in Grade 10 so she has a strong foundation before going to pre-calculus? I can see if I get approval to go to pre-calculus Honor class. How does it looks for the admission if she get a B+ in that pre-calculus honor class and repeat it in Grade 10 or should she just go to pre-calculus in Grade 9 then AP Calculus AB in Grade 10 and AP Calculus BC in grade 11. I am not sure which path will look good for college admission.
I wouldn’t have her repeat it. She may feel bored in the class, especially considering that she did fine in both of them. Taking Honors PreCalculus as a freshman is very impressive, and a B+ would not be a negative considering how advanced the class is for someone her age.
Personally, I would start PreCalculus in 9th grade and assuming she does well in high school w/Calculus, have her take Calc III sr. year if she is still interested in STEM. That would look very impressive on college applications.
I would probably have her review Algebra I & Algebra II topics online at Khan Academy (it’s free) over the summer before PreCalculus if you are worried about her not having a strong foundation.
If you want her to repeat a class, have her repeat Algebra II because that’s the most important thing for her to prepare for PreCalculus. She could get away without repeating Geometry.
Is it possible to go: Algebra II (7) – Geometry (8) – Repeat Algebra II (9) – PreCalculus (10) and so-on?
Personally, I would see how it all plays out. Before she enters 9th grade, ask her how comfortable she is with trigonometry and Algebra II topics. Ask her if she feels confused or like she doesn’t understand and then decide whether she should repeat the classes later. Do the same after PreCalculus.
Decide based off what your daughter feels comfortable with.
She can go:
Algebra II (7) - Geometry (8) - Repeat Algebra II Honor (9) - PreCalculus Honor (10) - AP Calculus BC (11) -->
or
Algebra II (7) - Geometry (8) - PreCalculus (9) - AP Calculus AB (10) - AP Calculus BC (11) -->
or
Algebra II (7) - Geometry (8) - PreCalculus Honor (9) - depending how it goes… repeating PreCalculus Honor in (10)
Just want to see if repeating a class in high school has any impact to college admission.
Yes, repeating a class in HS has an impact… as it usually indicates a D or F in the class.
Note that, because Algebra 1+2 and Geometry are typically considered HS level, they’d “count” too. Also, repeating because of a grade of B would look VERY bad to college adcoms. The general advice is to take a class where one can get a B or higher because a B is a good grade in a difficult class.
If this is possible (check with a GC at the HS), this is the best path by far:
Algebra II (7) - Geometry (8) - PreCalculus (9) - AP Calculus AB (10) - AP Calculus BC (11) --> Discrete Math, Linear Algebra, or Multivariable Calculus depending on what your local cc offers (no advantage to taking one or the other.)
Because she’s extremely advanced in math, is she enrolled in AoPS?
I am not sure what AoPS is. She was tested into Algebra I in Grade 6.
Her current grade is: Algebra 1: A
Algebra 2: A-
Geometry: on track for A or A-
I will ask the school whether they allow:
PreCalculus (9) - AP Calculus AB (10) - AP Calculus BC (11) --> etc
They do have AP Statistics. The prerequisite is Geometry.
I think she can take that in Grade 9 and push out precalculus, calculus BC to later year.
The current school does offer Differential Equation, Multivariable calculus, linear algebra in rotation.
Prerequisitive:
Pre-Calculus Honor: A in both Algebra II and Geometry
AP Calculus AB: B in Precalculus or B- in Honor Precalculus
AP Calculus BC: A- in Precalculus or B+ in Honor Precalculus
You can ask the department head approval to waive the requirements.
Ask whether the school sees AP calculus as a 1 (AB) - 2 (BC) sequence, or an alternative between less intense (AB) or more intense (BC). Please note that college’s are fine with either and there, for math and foreign language, what matters is level reached (IE., AP in both meets any school’s requirements regardless of number of actual units taken in high school.)
I would strongly discourage a break in the math sequence - she should go straight into pre-calculus (honors or regular).
Since taking pre-calculus regular doesn’t preclude any path, I would pick regular over honors for a freshman, factoring in social adjustment factors.