Our older child is currently excelling in precalculus in 9th grade but took summer geometry after 7th grade algebra 1. As our younger child finishes 4th grade, we want to avoid summer geometry, and have come to understand that planning for Algebra 1 in 6th grade is preferable, followed by full year math courses. Could someone outline the process for making this request? |
from another thread....
To take Algebra I in 6th grade, the kid must: Score 145 or higher on the CogAT Quant section Score a 575 or higher on their 4th grade SOL have the support of their 4th grade AAP/advanced math teacher. Then, if they meet all of these at the end of 4th grade, Gatehouse will conduct additional testing. Kids who meet those benchmarks will be jumped up to 6th grade AAP math when in 5th grade. In 5th grade, they need a 91st percentile or higher score on the IAAT as well as a pass advanced on the 7th grade Math SOL to be eligible for Algebra in 6th grade. report |
DC like your older child was fluent with math and found elementary math too easy. Having participated in math olympiad and math counts was able to do above grade math with ease. We too ended up enrolling DC in summer geometry, and has been doing great so far in 8th grade algebra 2 full year. |
It appears there are two options for advanced math students:
Option 1 (no summer course): ---------------------------------- 6th grade: Algebra 1 7th grade: Geometry 8th grade: Algebra 2 9th grade: Precalculus Option 2 (with summer course): ------------------------------------ 7th grade: Algebra 1 7th grade Summer: Geometry 8th grade: Algebra 2 9th grade: Precalculus |
DD took summer geometry in 7th, and it was more of a review, since enrichment already covered geometry before that summer. I wouldn't suggest Summer Geometry if going in cold. |
They also need principal permission. |
I prefer Option 1. Far too many early grade years are spent on computational math, and too few middle grade years on prealgebra and algebra concepts. Algebra1 in 6th grade is a good balance. |
Do they provide permission easily if scores are good? |
In 4th grade, what triggers Gatehouse to conduct additional testing? Is it parent requested? |
Do they conduct a second COGAT or it’s the same one done in 2nd grade? (Kid got into LIV AAP) |
They use the 2nd grade CogAT. If your school participates, they’ll look at the kids who meet the CogAT and SOL benchmarks right after the 4th grade math SOL. |
It’s not specifically about your kid. Many principals, for whatever reason, don’t participate in the 6th grade algebra track. If your school doesn’t participate, you’re out of luck. If your kid got a CogAT Q of 145 or higher, you should ask the AART or principal about your options. |
Why is taking precal in 9th grade a good idea? Then calc in 10th. Then you can take diff eq and multivar. Then linear algebra and stats. And take all of them again in college? |
Many kids are already having Pre-calculus and AP pre-calculus in 8th grade |
Allows for more time to be spent towards learning calculus. DC did precal in 9th, and followed it up with two years of solid calculus foundation - Calc AB in 10th and Calc BC in 11th, and did Multivar/Linear in Senior year. Colleges give credits for AP Calc AB and BC, so for middle class families like ours it turned out to be a huge money saver to take them HS. |