Math in HS: go down a level and take honors or stay ion track but regular class?

[Anonymous]

Posting here because I am mostly interested from the college admissions POV.
DS is due to have Algebra 2 in 9th as part of his math sequence, and is adamant he doesn’t want to take an honors class.
Do you think it is a good idea to go down a level to Geometry, basically repeating it, but take Geometry Honors?
Or is it better to keep moving according to his math sequence but take regular classes until/if he thinks he wants an honor or AP class?

[Anonymous]

I would stay on current sequence. I know a lot of kids who don’t take honors level math because it gets really hard, and there’s a ton of work. So if he doesn’t like math, stick on the regular track. He’s already ahead anyway if he’s taking Alg 2 in 9th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would stay on current sequence. I know a lot of kids who don’t take honors level math because it gets really hard, and there’s a ton of work. So if he doesn’t like math, stick on the regular track. He’s already ahead anyway if he’s taking Alg 2 in 9th.

Thanks, noted!
However my other worry is that there will probably be older kids in his class who got to algebra 2 late and aren’t exactly interested in math.
Or do schools usually not group “overachieving” 9th graders together with “underachieving” juniors for example?

[Anonymous]

Having a little bit more rigor in Algebra by taking an honors class would be more helpful in future years when it becomes much more tougher.

But if that is not an option, I would strongly suggest going with Algebra 2. Geometry is at best a semester course and taking it for an additional year is an overkill. Also, Algebra is more foundational for the courses that your child would be taking in future.

[Anonymous]

Schools do not do grouping like that. Peer group is more dependent on the # of kids from each grade that is taking that course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would stay on current sequence. I know a lot of kids who don’t take honors level math because it gets really hard, and there’s a ton of work. So if he doesn’t like math, stick on the regular track. He’s already ahead anyway if he’s taking Alg 2 in 9th.

Thanks, noted!
However my other worry is that there will probably be older kids in his class who got to algebra 2 late and aren’t exactly interested in math.
Or do schools usually not group “overachieving” 9th graders together with “underachieving” juniors for example?

At my kid’s school the 9th graders taking Algebra would be grouped in the same class (there are plenty of them to fill multiple sections). This is school dependent of course. I should add that your son should consider take honors in other areas, English, History etc., to balance out the math.

[Anonymous]

no, your school is not going to make a class of 9th graders taking reg alg 2, because it is too complicated, and also, most 9th graders in Alg 2 would be in honors, since they are accelerated. But schools don't separate kids by grade, whoever can take the class will be in it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:no, your school is not going to make a class of 9th graders taking reg alg 2, because it is too complicated, and also, most 9th graders in Alg 2 would be in honors, since they are accelerated. But schools don't separate kids by grade, whoever can take the class will be in it.

DP. I agree with this. I posted upthread, but this is actually correct.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would stay on current sequence. I know a lot of kids who don’t take honors level math because it gets really hard, and there’s a ton of work. So if he doesn’t like math, stick on the regular track. He’s already ahead anyway if he’s taking Alg 2 in 9th.

Thanks, noted!
However my other worry is that there will probably be older kids in his class who got to algebra 2 late and aren’t exactly interested in math.
Or do schools usually not group “overachieving” 9th graders together with “underachieving” juniors for example?

At my kid’s school the 9th graders taking Algebra would be grouped in the same class (there are plenty of them to fill multiple sections). This is school dependent of course. I should add that your son should consider take honors in other areas, English, History etc., to balance out the math.

The only other H option for 9th graders is Biology and yes he is taking Bio H

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:no, your school is not going to make a class of 9th graders taking reg alg 2, because it is too complicated, and also, most 9th graders in Alg 2 would be in honors, since they are accelerated. But schools don't separate kids by grade, whoever can take the class will be in it.

I watched a meeting recording from last year and the kids were warned against taking Alg2 H (but the teachers admitted there are always kids who do still take it).
My child does ok in accelerated math but he isn’t super great or super enthusiastic about it (usually has a B). So I am not sure I should be pushing honors

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on what school he is in. If MCPS, repeat geometry and stay in honors track.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:no, your school is not going to make a class of 9th graders taking reg alg 2, because it is too complicated, and also, most 9th graders in Alg 2 would be in honors, since they are accelerated. But schools don't separate kids by grade, whoever can take the class will be in it.

I watched a meeting recording from last year and the kids were warned against taking Alg2 H (but the teachers admitted there are always kids who do still take it).
My child does ok in accelerated math but he isn’t super great or super enthusiastic about it (usually has a B). So I am not sure I should be pushing honors

May I ask why he’s on an accelerated track then? Alg 2 in 9th grade is 1-2 years ahead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:no, your school is not going to make a class of 9th graders taking reg alg 2, because it is too complicated, and also, most 9th graders in Alg 2 would be in honors, since they are accelerated. But schools don't separate kids by grade, whoever can take the class will be in it.

I watched a meeting recording from last year and the kids were warned against taking Alg2 H (but the teachers admitted there are always kids who do still take it).
My child does ok in accelerated math but he isn’t super great or super enthusiastic about it (usually has a B). So I am not sure I should be pushing honors

May I ask why he’s on an accelerated track then? Alg 2 in 9th grade is 1-2 years ahead.

He tested into the accelerated track and it wasn’t a disaster or anything - he just can’t quite keep up (or so he thinks). He has a B average

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on what school he is in. If MCPS, repeat geometry and stay in honors track.

Not MCPS. He can move in and out of honors within the same track (say, take geometry H one year and algebra 2 regular the next).
But I will ask his current teacher about it; thanks for the idea

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:no, your school is not going to make a class of 9th graders taking reg alg 2, because it is too complicated, and also, most 9th graders in Alg 2 would be in honors, since they are accelerated. But schools don't separate kids by grade, whoever can take the class will be in it.

I watched a meeting recording from last year and the kids were warned against taking Alg2 H (but the teachers admitted there are always kids who do still take it).
My child does ok in accelerated math but he isn’t super great or super enthusiastic about it (usually has a B). So I am not sure I should be pushing honors

May I ask why he’s on an accelerated track then? Alg 2 in 9th grade is 1-2 years ahead.

He tested into the accelerated track and it wasn’t a disaster or anything - he just can’t quite keep up (or so he thinks). He has a B average

A B average is fine for a 9th grader taking Algebra 2. That by itself is not going to hurt on a college application