I’m an 8th grader who recently submitted my course selection sheet. In the middle of picking my core classes, I asked my parents if I could take Honors Geometry. My dad highly disproved of it (he took all regular courses in high school), saying it would be too much work, while my mom (who traveled down the same path I am right now, college path), explaining to me as to why I shouldn’t. She said it was a very hard course and that math is not my strongest subject, saying I’m more “artsy fartsy” (literally what she said). I explained to them that I think I have the ability to take Honors Geometry and said that I asked my Algebra teacher if he thought I would do well; he said yes. I also showed them that Algebra had my highest grade (98.0). Against my will, my dad said you’re taking regular Geometry, end of discussion. My mom placed a check mark beside it, and I could do nothing but watch. I want to take Honors Geometry, how do I convince my parents to let me?
P.S. This is a side not (obvi). I was once a gifted student. My parents pulled me out of it for reasons I would rather prefer to not discuss. As a gifted student, I think I can manage an Honors course freshman year. Although, I get distracted easily and procrastinate just a little bit. What’s your take on this???
I believe there is also the possibility to change courses, as long as I request a change early enough. Although the deadline is closer to the beginning of the next school year, I would like to call in early in order to ensure a spot quicker, if any possible spot at all.
I am wondering what your math teacher and/or guidance counselor thinks. If they think that you should take honors, you could have them talk with your parents, and hopefully with your dad.
Sometimes it is necessary in life to have the right person deliver a message.
Thank you for the advice @DadTwoGirls! I asked my math teacher (Algebra teacher) if I have what it takes to take Honors Geometry next year, and he believes that I could. I hope to speak with my parents further on this, though they will most likely be firm with their decision.
Doing well in Algebra is almost never a promise that you’ll do well in Geometry. They’re two VERY different types of courses. Geometry is course that requires a very different type of thinking than Algebra.
So your dad may very well be right. None of us know you, so none can say with any sort of certainty whether you’re right or your dad is. Perhaps dad sees that tendency to “get distracted and procrastinate just a little bit and wants to save you from yourself.”
Why not concentrate on doing the best you can in the classes you take? If you were really meant to be in Honors, you can move up next year-- with grades of 98 in both Algebra and Geometry, it should make for an easy case.
Thanks, @bjkmom! You are right about the variant in the thinking required. My mom mentioned that when she and I were discussing Geometry and Honors Geometry, Geometry was one of her hardest courses she took (in whatever grade she took it, I honestly forget) and that it was COMPLETELY different from Algebra. I do believe that my parents are doing their best to help me help myself as they know me decently enough. And I greatly appreciate the advice given regarding focusing in on and doing the best in the classes I can take! And it is true that I can always take an Honors math course in 10th grade!
And if that’s what you choose, you’ll have a much stronger case. There IS a high correllation in grades from Algebra I to Algebra II, and you’re doing well in Algebra I.
Doing well in 10th grade Algebra2 is going to be most important to be able to succeed in the full sequence. In my opinion a student that is interested in going into a STEM field should at least aim for the honors version of the 10th grade class. The material taught in Geometry is less critical for this sequence.
However the question would be how difficult it is going to be to get placed into 10th grade Algebra honors after 9th grade Geometry non-honors. The high school will offer only so many versions of honors classes and all seats might be taken up by the honors kids from the previous year. Typically its easier to stay at the honors level once placed there than trying to get upgraded later, but that can depend on the school environment and policies.
The middle school counselor might not have all the information. Perhaps best to try to reach out and talk to the high school counselors, math teachers, or parents with older kids in the district that know how those things work. The PTA might be a good source too.
Ask the HS what the system is for kids who took non honors math in the 9th grade: can they take Honors math in 10th and if so, under what conditions? Some schools simply don’t have space or refuse to let non honors math students take honors math later on and this would greatly disadvantage you at the colleges that offer the best financial aid as well as for SAT/ACT preparation. (These tests do include geometry).
I feel as if you could do it based on the information you provided. The knowledge for geometry is not that hard, plus if you have an EOC like I did in Florida, it is very easy to get a 5 or even just pass it. The concepts are not that hard if the teacher is good and repeatedly engrains it in your head. I took it 3 years ago and I still remember all the congruent triangles I had to draw. I honestly preferred algebra over geometry, but I still did well in it. Just my take on this situation though. Do what feels comfortable for you. Good luck!