| If a student enters JR in 9th taking Algebra 1, is it possible to double up on Math in either 9, 10, or 11 grade so that they advance past pre-calc to AP calc? For example, can Geometry be taken the same year as Algebra 1 or 2? |
| Why on earth would you want to do this to your kid? |
Because I don’t want them to have to take math during the summer. They just barely made the cut off for accelerated math at Deal. If they're offered summer math to jump ahead, I’d rather they go to camp over the summer than do math. |
PP here. Also, kids are offered the option to double up on Algebra and Geometry at Deal so I wondered if the same is true for JR. |
| Talk to the school and don't take no for an answer. |
I am not sure if you can double up Algebra I and Geometry in the same year. I know kids have doubled up Precalc and AP Calc in the same year. My understanding is that DCPS requires that you take Math through Algebra II...and that you take 3 years of Math (not 3-year-long courses...but 3 years) during HS. Anything above Algebra II becomes an elective. So, you can take Stats instead of Precalc as an example if you wanted. This is why kids can double up on Precalc and Calc in the same year, since those are now math electives. |
Thanks. But why would an 8th grader be allowed to double up at Deal in geometry and algebra 1 and not do the same in 9th grade? |
That's convoluted logic. Is it documented somewhere? Allowing Precalc + Calc (a terrible, terrible idea) but not Algebra 2 + Geometry defies all sense. Taking Algebra 1 + Geometry is not great because Geometry needs Algebra. |
No idea, other than Deal administration has always been attentive to accelerating kids in Math. I am not sure if MS has requirements for P/E, Art, Music, credits etc. which exist at HS. JR is very focused on making sure kids are not scrambling as a senior to fulfill all the random requirements. Freshmen are told to get P/E, Health, etc. completed and don't delay. |
| Has anyone successfully had their kid double up on algebra 2 and geometry in 10th grade at JR? In terms of college admissions, is it better to top out at pre-calc in high school with As, or push further to AP calc with a B? |
| Just FYI, Deal has said that after this school year, they will no longer be allowing any students to double up on math, per DCPS policy. So that policy may well extend to JR too, even if they allowed doubling up in the past. |
Thanks. So the only option if my kid wants to go beyond pre-calc in high school is to take summer math at some point? |
I am not trying to complicate your decision...but again, I don't think they care in HS if you decide to take two "math electives" at the same time. Pre-Calc, Stat, Calc AB and Calc BC are considered electives and not required Math. If you want to follow the progression and not double up Pre Calc and Calc, then yes you should plan to take say Geometry over the Summer. DCPS has an approved vendor list (many, maybe all virtual), but you want to make sure you get sign-off from the school / DCPS prior to registering. |
Ugh, I did this in high school a generation ago and it was no joy. But if it's the only way you can get to a calculus AP your senior year, at least it's an option. |
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Doubling up on pre calc and calc makes so little sense it's like negative sense.
i mean, maybe for a student who is self taught just taking the classes to check boxes on route to higher math. Maybe. |