Taking something lower than Geometry in 9th grade at APS?

[Anonymous]

Realistically, what is the effect of not progressing from 8th grade Algebra 1 to 9th grade Geometry, in APS?

I'm not sure but I think this would either mean taking something called Algebra, Functions, and Data Analysis (AFDA) or retaking Algebra again. Does anyone know? Has anyone done that?

[Anonymous]

I don’t have an answer to your question, but our current eighth graders are in a unique situation with regard to Covid. Many of them were not putting a higher level math classes because they finished out the end of fifth grade at home and sixth grade was a wash Online.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have an answer to your question, but our current eighth graders are in a unique situation with regard to Covid. Many of them were not putting a higher level math classes because they finished out the end of fifth grade at home and sixth grade was a wash Online.

+1,000. DC is in 9th grade, taking Algebra, and plans to to take Geometry over the summer. It's really the only way to stay on track with science since Geometry is a pre-req for Chem.

[Anonymous]

Uh. I don’t think geometry is required to take chemistry anywhere. You do need Algebra II for AP physics 1, I think. Plenty of Arlington kids do just fine on that track.

[Anonymous]

Can someone break down the math classes and the order from 8th to 12th? I am a dumb dumb and do not know.

[Anonymous]

Here is the APS Math Pathway: https://www.apsva.us/mathematics/secondary-math-program/course-pathways/

I would encourage your student to possibly take Algebra over the summer if possible through summer school (it will be offered). So they are ready for Geometry in 9th. If they retake Algebra 1 in 9th, then they can still get to Pre Calculus which is not the end of the world either.

[Anonymous]

Covid-aside, which is probably what impacted your child, my understanding is that something like 80% of APS kids have taken at least Algebra I by the end of 8th. This means there is a math pathway (see PP's link above) for those that need Algebra I in 9th.

[Anonymous]

Are you considering this because the student is not doing well in Algebra 1? If so, your options would be the AFDA class to build up those skills or to take Algebra 1 again so a bad grade doesn't show up on the transcript. I'd probably do that, possibly via summer school. Still, even if they repeat it completely, Alg 1 / Geometry / Alg 2 / Pre-calc would be fine.

My main concern with AFDA is the potential to get pushed off the traditional math track. I mentor low income students in APS and one I worked with last year was discouraged from taking Alg 2 after Geometry and to go instead into that AFDA class. This despite getting an A in Alg 1. She just didn't do well in Geometry, which is really irrelevant for going on to Alg2. I guess the AFDA teacher is used to working with poor students so he told her Algebra 2 is "too hard" so she should just take a basic stats class in senior year. She ignored him and took Algebra 2 as I advised and is doing fine. Ridiculous advice to not take Algebra 2 at all in high school. And I wish I'd been working with her when she was picking junior year classes because she really should have been in Alg 2 in 11th grade.

[Anonymous]

Why not repeat Algebra 1 in 9th and then take Geometry over the summer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not repeat Algebra 1 in 9th and then take Geometry over the summer?

I would say do Alg 1 in the summer since that is the repeat rather than cram a year of geometry which would be new to the OP's child into the 6 week summer class session.

[Anonymous]

I guess the AFDA class runs the whole year? If kid earns a B in Algebra 1, he could then take either Algebra 1 (again) or AFDA in 9th, then Geometry in 10th, then Algebra 2 in 11th?

Does that mess you up for:

* other classes - will you be unable to take some other science class or something because your math isn't high enough?
* you won't get an advanced diploma, just a normal diploma. What does that mean for colleges then? You won't get into any ivies certainly, but that's fine. But does this drastically lower options?
* Does it matter a lot for SAT prep? Will some of the stuff they won't have covered be on the test that determines their college placement?

Kid feels pressure (from self, not us) to keep up with peers. Grade is fine (B) but he stresses out a lot. Teacher advises moving down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Covid-aside, which is probably what impacted your child, my understanding is that something like 80% of APS kids have taken at least Algebra I by the end of 8th. This means there is a math pathway (see PP's link above) for those that need Algebra I in 9th.

A few years ago, the figure was 80%. But now its 44% taking at least Algebra 1 by end of 8th grade. Big drop in recent years in kids doing accelerated middle school math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess the AFDA class runs the whole year? If kid earns a B in Algebra 1, he could then take either Algebra 1 (again) or AFDA in 9th, then Geometry in 10th, then Algebra 2 in 11th?

Does that mess you up for:

* other classes - will you be unable to take some other science class or something because your math isn't high enough?
* you won't get an advanced diploma, just a normal diploma. What does that mean for colleges then? You won't get into any ivies certainly, but that's fine. But does this drastically lower options?
* Does it matter a lot for SAT prep? Will some of the stuff they won't have covered be on the test that determines their college placement?

Kid feels pressure (from self, not us) to keep up with peers. Grade is fine (B) but he stresses out a lot. Teacher advises moving down.

A B seems fine in terms of understanding, seems like the stress about it is the problem. Does APS even let you retake a class where you get a B? I know in prior summer school sessions repeats were only for those who failed a class. If it were my child, I'd probably first have him meet with a tutor for a couple sessions to see if you can get a better handle on his level of understanding and why it's stressing him out.

[Anonymous]

How is his understanding of the material? My son fluctuated between a B and C in 8th and retook it in 9th in FCPS. I wasn’t concerned about the grade. He really didn’t have a strong foundation and was getting Bs through test corrections.

It worked out well. He understood Algebra so much better the second time and felt really confident in math instead of it being a class he dreaded. But he was all for retaking and didn’t want to do anything in the summer. Ask your son what he wants to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not repeat Algebra 1 in 9th and then take Geometry over the summer?

This. My son took geometry summer before 8th and it is much much better to go alegbra 1, summer geometry and then directly into algebra 2 while they are still fresh from algebra 1.