Hello all,
I am taking Algebra 1 in 9th grade (feel shameful about it) and would like to know what should I plan to take over the next 4 years in high school. I wanted to skip geometry over the 9th grade summer and the go to algebra 2 and then try skipping pre calc/trig but still have no idea what to do.
Don’t feel bad about it! Does your school allow you to take more than one math class a year? My school allows us to “double up” on math to get ahead so you might take algebra I and geometry in freshman year then go into algebra II sophomore year.
You should talk to your counselor about your plans. Its a bit late to take Algebra 1 this summer but perhaps you can take geometry/algebra 2 next summer/next 2 summers, or studying for a placement test so that you can go to Geometry next year.
Work on getting an A in Algebra 1 next year and talk to your future teacher about skipping/taking geometry over the summer.
PS: There’s no need to feel shameful. :)>- I was in the same position as you. I pushed (a little late though) and took Algebra 2 last summer. Next year I’ll be taking Honors Calc 
One more question would colleges see me being in algebra l as a bad thing? Also algebra l is a prerequisite at our school and we can’t skip it. And i don’t know if we are allowed to double up at my school but I will have to check.
If you are taking the hardest classes offered to you then no they would not look down upon it. If you are not, possibly a bit, but it is only freshman year and one subject. You also sound as if you are going to put more rigor in your schedule, so I wouldn’t worry about it.
There’s nothing to be ashamed about; in many, many schools, Algebra I is the course intended for freshmen.
Why not just take a few deep breaths, see how you do, and talk to your guidance counselor about the idea after New Years?
I took an accredited math class over the summer before eighth grade on MU online high school to take geometry in eighth grade. I think this would be a viable option for you to easily skip over geometry and get into alg 2,and other higher math classes.
I took Algebra II and Geometry my sophomore year and had no problems with it at all.
Don’t worry kiddo, I too was in your shoes as a student who took Algebra 1 freshman and it’s not bad! I’m going to be a senior this year and I’m still wondering if I should either take PreCalculus at school or online this summer to do AP Calc. The difference between you and me is that you have time, I’m running out of it. As for what you’re addressing Algebra 1 freshman resulting in PreCalculus senior year is not a thing to be ashamed of unless you’re majoring in Engineering then you maybe want to have Calculus done but even that is not a requirement. The normal high school mathematics sequence goes: Algebra 1 (9th), Geometry (10th), Algebra 2 (11th), and PreCalculus (12th). No need to feel discouraged. Although I see you have motivation to get something done about this, I will show you everything about the future math classes and which ones would be good to skip/take over the summer.
Geometry:
Covers pretty much all things shapes, angles, and formulas. Proofing, logic, and deductive reasoning is critical in doing well in this course. Of course you will be introduced to stuff like Pythagorean Theorem and basic Trigonometry. This is probably the best class to take during the summer because it’s really not “math” but a different kind of “math”.
Algebra 2:
Very fundamental for upcoming courses such as Trigonometry, PreCalculus, and even Calculus. Covers everything from Algebra 1 and adds a lot more concepts such as imaginary numbers, matrices, sequence & series, logarithms, conic sections, going in depth with quadratics, heavy duty trigonometry, and let’s not forget about graphing all of those! This is probably the worst class to take during the summer because it’s one of the bulkier math classes and fitting it all in one summer wouldn’t do you any justice.
PreCalculus:
Basically a repeat of Algebra 2 but with more and more Trigonometry. This class is your last attempt to strengthen your Algebra and Trigonometry skills before you take on the beast which is Calculus. It introduces topics such as vectors, polar equations, parametric equations, and an introduction to limits. I wouldn’t recommend taking this class over the summer unless you are really good at Algebra 2.
Again, taking Algebra 1 freshman year isn’t going to hurt your chances for universities! (unless you’re majoring in Engineering) Make sure you talk to your guidance counselor to see if you can take the class over the summer online or double up during the school year. Please don’t rush, it’s not a game! You have four years to plan what you need to get done in high school so plan wisely! Lastly, do what you can handle because overwhelming yourself will screw you up. I’m happy to help!
Thank you all for helping me decide what I should do. And i’ll try to skip geometry over the summer.
Would it be reasonable to skip Pre calculus or algebra 2 to get into AP calculus or another class.
@faristhe1 No one will know that you replied to their message if you don’t put the @ in front of their username like I just did right now.
Anyways, as for skipping either Algebra 2 or PreCalculus… I would skip PreCal because I know my Algebra 2 very well (but that’s just me) but if I were you I would skip/do Algebra 2 over the summer because PreCal basically reteaches, strengthens, and builds more over Algebra 2 to get you ready for Calculus. Some people might disagree which is more important but I’m pretty sure I know what I’m talking about.
Honestly, high school Algebra 1 probably prepares you more for Algebra 2 than middle school Algebra 1. At least, that was in my case. I took Algebra 1 as a 7th Grader and just completed Algebra 2, and I’ll have to say, it was a struggle. Everyone in my class got B’s and C’s, unfortunately I got a C. I did not have a good foundation. I say, go along with the course, and make the most out of what you have. I recommend taking geometry next summer, it’s a pointless class, in my opinion.
I agree with hermionepotter99 and Darknez. Geometry is basically Algebra 1 with some shapes along with a brief intro to trig (SOH CAH TOA). People (in my school) who took regular Algebra 1 in middle school took a speficied geometry course that included a thorough review of Algebra 1 and many still struggled. Taking Algebra 1 in ninth grade was like the end of the world for me (at the time) but in the long run benefited me greatly.
Take Geometry or Algebra 2 over the summer, since the are part of the core college prep curriculum. Beyond Algebra 2 may be difficult to take over the summer/take a placement test because Precalc varies across schools.
I’d take Geometry over the summer. It is easier to prep for and Algebra 2 is much more foundational than Geometry. Without a strong grasp of Algebra 2, you may end up struggling going into higher level math classes. It is, imo, the safest option, and also the easiest. I wish I had tested out of Geometry.
Why don’t you speak to your guidance counselor?
He or she knows you and your capabilities. He/she can best advise you in terms of how you’re most likely to be successful.
Others have given you good advice, but I want to add that getting a good math score on the ACT/SAT would definitely help balance out any negative feelings colleges have about you taking Algebra 1. That said, I don’t think you’re in a super unusual situation. Algebra 1 is the normal freshman math level at a lot of schools.
I wouldn’t recommend skipping precalc/trig. If you take geometry over the summer next year, you could take Algebra 2 your sophomore year, precalc/trig junior year, and still be in calc your senior year. (If that’s your goal.) It would be pretty hard to go straight from Algebra 2 to something like Calc AB/BC.