middle school math question

[Anonymous]

The middle school our child has gotten into offers algebra in 8th grade. This seems to be standard with some other charters in the city and maybe DCPS with the exception of Deal and Basis (?).

My question is, for a child who is math-inclined and above grade level, is that sufficient to be ready for application high schools/generally a college track? We are not a high-pressure family that feels it's necessary for our kid to take 15 APs or whatever, but want them to be prepared if they choose to go into a STEM field in the future.

[Anonymous]

Yes, Algebra I in 8th is fine for privates or DCPS magnets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The middle school our child has gotten into offers algebra in 8th grade. This seems to be standard with some other charters in the city and maybe DCPS with the exception of Deal and Basis (?).

My question is, for a child who is math-inclined and above grade level, is that sufficient to be ready for application high schools/generally a college track? We are not a high-pressure family that feels it's necessary for our kid to take 15 APs or whatever, but want them to be prepared if they choose to go into a STEM field in the future.

It would be nice to have a list of the schools that offer Geometry by 8th -- Deal, BASIS, Hardy and Latin, and maybe Stuart Hobson. Any others?

Your kid will be fine. However I do think offering Geo in 8th is a good indicator for middle schools.

[Anonymous]

You can look on the OSSE PARCC spreadsheets for which schools had kids take the geometry PARCC.

Algebra I is fine but DCPS is increasingly trying to offer geometry.

Ask your school if they aspire to offer geometry in the future or if it's just a no-go. And if they'll allow an independent study option. Some schools are just too small to have that many advanced kids. But their answer will tell you a lot.

[Anonymous]

Is it ITDS, or is it Two Rivers or Cap City or Truth?

[Anonymous]

Jefferson offers Geometry in 8th

[Anonymous]

If your kid takes Algebra in 8th, they will be on track for at least AB calc in 12th. It is possible to accelerate further, but I think that generally serves all but the MOST math-inclined kids poorly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The middle school our child has gotten into offers algebra in 8th grade. This seems to be standard with some other charters in the city and maybe DCPS with the exception of Deal and Basis (?).

My question is, for a child who is math-inclined and above grade level, is that sufficient to be ready for application high schools/generally a college track? We are not a high-pressure family that feels it's necessary for our kid to take 15 APs or whatever, but want them to be prepared if they choose to go into a STEM field in the future.

It would be nice to have a list of the schools that offer Geometry by 8th -- Deal, BASIS, Hardy and Latin, and maybe Stuart Hobson. Any others?

Your kid will be fine. However I do think offering Geo in 8th is a good indicator for middle schools.

Yes for SH. They offer two tracks to get there.

[Anonymous]

Application high schools in DC don't look at the math class your kid is in. They don't even look to see if your kid is performing at grade level.

However, at some middle schools, algebra is where they put all the kids who aren't significantly below grade level. Few kids are actually learning algebra in those classes, and you can see that in their test scores. That's what I'd look for. If you're not satisfied, supplement. You don't want your kid bored and then retaking it if there's no need for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The middle school our child has gotten into offers algebra in 8th grade. This seems to be standard with some other charters in the city and maybe DCPS with the exception of Deal and Basis (?).

My question is, for a child who is math-inclined and above grade level, is that sufficient to be ready for application high schools/generally a college track? We are not a high-pressure family that feels it's necessary for our kid to take 15 APs or whatever, but want them to be prepared if they choose to go into a STEM field in the future.

It would be nice to have a list of the schools that offer Geometry by 8th -- Deal, BASIS, Hardy and Latin, and maybe Stuart Hobson. Any others?

Your kid will be fine. However I do think offering Geo in 8th is a good indicator for middle schools.

Wells kids can do Geometry in 8th if they are ready. Coolidge allows them to take it there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Application high schools in DC don't look at the math class your kid is in. They don't even look to see if your kid is performing at grade level.

However, at some middle schools, algebra is where they put all the kids who aren't significantly below grade level. Few kids are actually learning algebra in those classes, and you can see that in their test scores. That's what I'd look for. If you're not satisfied, supplement. You don't want your kid bored and then retaking it if there's no need for that.

Above is the answer. Any school can offer any course but is it really advance? You need to look at the scores and can easily tell. Majority of DCPS schools it’s a no. That is the unfortunate reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The middle school our child has gotten into offers algebra in 8th grade. This seems to be standard with some other charters in the city and maybe DCPS with the exception of Deal and Basis (?).

My question is, for a child who is math-inclined and above grade level, is that sufficient to be ready for application high schools/generally a college track? We are not a high-pressure family that feels it's necessary for our kid to take 15 APs or whatever, but want them to be prepared if they choose to go into a STEM field in the future.

“Only” having Calc AB is not going to prevent your kid from being a math major, if that’s what you’re wondering. We get quite a few kids who don’t have Calculus offered at their high school, and even if you do well there’s a ton of value in retaking your math and science APs in undergrad (and in some majors where Hubbard and Hubbard is taught you are forced to retake multivariate anyway).

[Anonymous]

I believe that DCI offers Geometry in 8th grade but it’s called Integrated Math 2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe that DCI offers Geometry in 8th grade but it’s called Integrated Math 2.

DCI Integrated Math 1&2 are a combined Algebra+Geometry 2-year sequence.

https://dcinternationalschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/24-25-DCI-High-School-Course-Catalogue.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The middle school our child has gotten into offers algebra in 8th grade. This seems to be standard with some other charters in the city and maybe DCPS with the exception of Deal and Basis (?).

My question is, for a child who is math-inclined and above grade level, is that sufficient to be ready for application high schools/generally a college track? We are not a high-pressure family that feels it's necessary for our kid to take 15 APs or whatever, but want them to be prepared if they choose to go into a STEM field in the future.

“Only” having Calc AB is not going to prevent your kid from being a math major, if that’s what you’re wondering. We get quite a few kids who don’t have Calculus offered at their high school, and even if you do well there’s a ton of value in retaking your math and science APs in undergrad (and in some majors where Hubbard and Hubbard is taught you are forced to retake multivariate anyway).

Are you referring to a specific university?

If you direct students to retake Multivariable after taking it in high school, that's even more of a reason to take the class to prepare!
Students who come in within that preparation are going to be far behind their peers.