TJ admission: 8th grade Algebra 2 vs. Geometry

[Anonymous]

Given that TJ is a Virginia Governor's STEM school attracting top students from five counties, what is the math pathway for students entering TJ who have completed Geometry, Algebra 2, or Algebra 2 Trig? On one hand, I hear that TJ, as an advanced STEM high school, offers the unique opportunity to pursue advanced math and science courses not available at base high schools. But on the other hand, how practical is it for students who have completed Geometry in 8th grade at normal pace to fully take advantage of these advanced course offerings, like post-multivariable calculus, etc.? Do TJ students skip certain math levels and enroll in AP or even more advanced courses?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Given that TJ is a Virginia Governor's STEM school attracting top students from five counties, what is the math pathway for students entering TJ who have completed Geometry, Algebra 2, or Algebra 2 Trig? On one hand, I hear that TJ, as an advanced STEM high school, offers the unique opportunity to pursue advanced math and science courses not available at base high schools. But on the other hand, how practical is it for students who have completed Geometry in 8th grade at normal pace to fully take advantage of these advanced course offerings, like post-multivariable calculus, etc.? Do TJ students skip certain math levels and enroll in AP or even more advanced courses?

If your kid comes in with Geometry:
Freshman Fall: Statistics
Freshman Spring: Algebra 2
Sophomore Fall: Trigonometry
Sophomore Spring: Pre-calc
Junior: Calculus
Senior: Math Elective

If your kid comes in with Algebra 2:
Freshman Fall: Statistics
Freshman Spring: Trigonometry
SUMMERpre-calc (you don't have to do this but a lot of kids do this unless they want to take AP statistics or something because a lot of the stuff is gate-kept behind calculus)
Sophomore: Calculus
Junior: Math Elective
Senior: Math Elective

If your kid comes in with trigonometry then they take pre-caslc in the spring of their freshman year and move on to calculus in their sophomore year.

Honestly, if you take linear algebra or multivariable calculus in high school, you are likely to be taking them again in college because a good program might not give you a pass on those pre-requisites for more advanced courses. But if you want to take something like concrete math or more advanced statistics more advanced math coming in would create room on the schedule for it. I would add a cautionary note that a lot of kids that are very accelerated in math sort of lose the plot as they move through the math progression at a place like TJ where the rigor is no joke. Unless your kid is going to be some type of math major (e.g. a CS/math major), I don't know if algebra 2 or trigonometry in 8th grade really pays off. TJ is accelerated enough for most kids, taking calculus as a TJ sophomore with mostly TJ juniors can be tough. But if your kid is really into math then there is an accelerated math path through TJ for kids that have taken algebra 2 or trig in 8th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given that TJ is a Virginia Governor's STEM school attracting top students from five counties, what is the math pathway for students entering TJ who have completed Geometry, Algebra 2, or Algebra 2 Trig? On one hand, I hear that TJ, as an advanced STEM high school, offers the unique opportunity to pursue advanced math and science courses not available at base high schools. But on the other hand, how practical is it for students who have completed Geometry in 8th grade at normal pace to fully take advantage of these advanced course offerings, like post-multivariable calculus, etc.? Do TJ students skip certain math levels and enroll in AP or even more advanced courses?

If your kid comes in with Geometry:
Freshman Fall: Statistics
Freshman Spring: Algebra 2
Sophomore Fall: Trigonometry
Sophomore Spring: Pre-calc
Junior: Calculus
Senior: Math Elective

If your kid comes in with Algebra 2:
Freshman Fall: Statistics
Freshman Spring: Trigonometry
SUMMERpre-calc (you don't have to do this but a lot of kids do this unless they want to take AP statistics or something because a lot of the stuff is gate-kept behind calculus)
Sophomore: Calculus
Junior: Math Elective
Senior: Math Elective

If your kid comes in with trigonometry then they take pre-caslc in the spring of their freshman year and move on to calculus in their sophomore year.

Honestly, if you take linear algebra or multivariable calculus in high school, you are likely to be taking them again in college because a good program might not give you a pass on those pre-requisites for more advanced courses. But if you want to take something like concrete math or more advanced statistics more advanced math coming in would create room on the schedule for it. I would add a cautionary note that a lot of kids that are very accelerated in math sort of lose the plot as they move through the math progression at a place like TJ where the rigor is no joke. Unless your kid is going to be some type of math major (e.g. a CS/math major), I don't know if algebra 2 or trigonometry in 8th grade really pays off. TJ is accelerated enough for most kids, taking calculus as a TJ sophomore with mostly TJ juniors can be tough. But if your kid is really into math then there is an accelerated math path through TJ for kids that have taken algebra 2 or trig in 8th grade.

I don't know of any top program that would require students to retake calc3/linear algebra without any options for acceleration/ an honors version.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given that TJ is a Virginia Governor's STEM school attracting top students from five counties, what is the math pathway for students entering TJ who have completed Geometry, Algebra 2, or Algebra 2 Trig? On one hand, I hear that TJ, as an advanced STEM high school, offers the unique opportunity to pursue advanced math and science courses not available at base high schools. But on the other hand, how practical is it for students who have completed Geometry in 8th grade at normal pace to fully take advantage of these advanced course offerings, like post-multivariable calculus, etc.? Do TJ students skip certain math levels and enroll in AP or even more advanced courses?

If your kid comes in with Geometry:
Freshman Fall: Statistics
Freshman Spring: Algebra 2
Sophomore Fall: Trigonometry
Sophomore Spring: Pre-calc
Junior: Calculus
Senior: Math Elective

If your kid comes in with Algebra 2:
Freshman Fall: Statistics
Freshman Spring: Trigonometry
SUMMERpre-calc (you don't have to do this but a lot of kids do this unless they want to take AP statistics or something because a lot of the stuff is gate-kept behind calculus)
Sophomore: Calculus
Junior: Math Elective
Senior: Math Elective

If your kid comes in with trigonometry then they take pre-caslc in the spring of their freshman year and move on to calculus in their sophomore year.

Honestly, if you take linear algebra or multivariable calculus in high school, you are likely to be taking them again in college because a good program might not give you a pass on those pre-requisites for more advanced courses. But if you want to take something like concrete math or more advanced statistics more advanced math coming in would create room on the schedule for it. I would add a cautionary note that a lot of kids that are very accelerated in math sort of lose the plot as they move through the math progression at a place like TJ where the rigor is no joke. Unless your kid is going to be some type of math major (e.g. a CS/math major), I don't know if algebra 2 or trigonometry in 8th grade really pays off. TJ is accelerated enough for most kids, taking calculus as a TJ sophomore with mostly TJ juniors can be tough. But if your kid is really into math then there is an accelerated math path through TJ for kids that have taken algebra 2 or trig in 8th grade.

Both Multivariable and Linear Algebra are dual enrollment (DE) courses from GMU, and they receive full transfer credit to most universities across VA, MD, PA, and many other states. DE course credits earned in high school can significantly reduce the cost of college tuition and of course also convey to college admissions about student's course rigor.

[Anonymous]

TJ offers some of the most indepth and unique math courses like Differential Equations and Advanced Math Techniques, but Multivariable is a prereq for enrollment

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TJ offers some of the most indepth and unique math courses like Differential Equations and Advanced Math Techniques, but Multivariable is a prereq for enrollment

Multivar is offered at several/many other high schools for a post-calc alternative to Stats.

When I was in college, Diff Eq was a prereq for Multivar, so I wonder if these are the same classes or different ones.

Either way, I really enjoyed both of them. Advanced Math was not as fun a class, I found.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given that TJ is a Virginia Governor's STEM school attracting top students from five counties, what is the math pathway for students entering TJ who have completed Geometry, Algebra 2, or Algebra 2 Trig? On one hand, I hear that TJ, as an advanced STEM high school, offers the unique opportunity to pursue advanced math and science courses not available at base high schools. But on the other hand, how practical is it for students who have completed Geometry in 8th grade at normal pace to fully take advantage of these advanced course offerings, like post-multivariable calculus, etc.? Do TJ students skip certain math levels and enroll in AP or even more advanced courses?

If your kid comes in with Geometry:
Freshman Fall: Statistics
Freshman Spring: Algebra 2
Sophomore Fall: Trigonometry
Sophomore Spring: Pre-calc
Junior: Calculus
Senior: Math Elective

If your kid comes in with Algebra 2:
Freshman Fall: Statistics
Freshman Spring: Trigonometry
SUMMERpre-calc (you don't have to do this but a lot of kids do this unless they want to take AP statistics or something because a lot of the stuff is gate-kept behind calculus)
Sophomore: Calculus
Junior: Math Elective
Senior: Math Elective

If your kid comes in with trigonometry then they take pre-caslc in the spring of their freshman year and move on to calculus in their sophomore year.

Honestly, if you take linear algebra or multivariable calculus in high school, you are likely to be taking them again in college because a good program might not give you a pass on those pre-requisites for more advanced courses. But if you want to take something like concrete math or more advanced statistics more advanced math coming in would create room on the schedule for it. I would add a cautionary note that a lot of kids that are very accelerated in math sort of lose the plot as they move through the math progression at a place like TJ where the rigor is no joke. Unless your kid is going to be some type of math major (e.g. a CS/math major), I don't know if algebra 2 or trigonometry in 8th grade really pays off. TJ is accelerated enough for most kids, taking calculus as a TJ sophomore with mostly TJ juniors can be tough. But if your kid is really into math then there is an accelerated math path through TJ for kids that have taken algebra 2 or trig in 8th grade.

I don't know of any top program that would require students to retake calc3/linear algebra without any options for acceleration/ an honors version.

Yeah maybe but I wouldn't go to extraordinary efforts to finish calculus as a sophomore unless I am going to be some sort of math major.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given that TJ is a Virginia Governor's STEM school attracting top students from five counties, what is the math pathway for students entering TJ who have completed Geometry, Algebra 2, or Algebra 2 Trig? On one hand, I hear that TJ, as an advanced STEM high school, offers the unique opportunity to pursue advanced math and science courses not available at base high schools. But on the other hand, how practical is it for students who have completed Geometry in 8th grade at normal pace to fully take advantage of these advanced course offerings, like post-multivariable calculus, etc.? Do TJ students skip certain math levels and enroll in AP or even more advanced courses?

If your kid comes in with Geometry:
Freshman Fall: Statistics
Freshman Spring: Algebra 2
Sophomore Fall: Trigonometry
Sophomore Spring: Pre-calc
Junior: Calculus
Senior: Math Elective

If your kid comes in with Algebra 2:
Freshman Fall: Statistics
Freshman Spring: Trigonometry
SUMMERpre-calc (you don't have to do this but a lot of kids do this unless they want to take AP statistics or something because a lot of the stuff is gate-kept behind calculus)
Sophomore: Calculus
Junior: Math Elective
Senior: Math Elective

If your kid comes in with trigonometry then they take pre-caslc in the spring of their freshman year and move on to calculus in their sophomore year.

Honestly, if you take linear algebra or multivariable calculus in high school, you are likely to be taking them again in college because a good program might not give you a pass on those pre-requisites for more advanced courses. But if you want to take something like concrete math or more advanced statistics more advanced math coming in would create room on the schedule for it. I would add a cautionary note that a lot of kids that are very accelerated in math sort of lose the plot as they move through the math progression at a place like TJ where the rigor is no joke. Unless your kid is going to be some type of math major (e.g. a CS/math major), I don't know if algebra 2 or trigonometry in 8th grade really pays off. TJ is accelerated enough for most kids, taking calculus as a TJ sophomore with mostly TJ juniors can be tough. But if your kid is really into math then there is an accelerated math path through TJ for kids that have taken algebra 2 or trig in 8th grade.

I don't know of any top program that would require students to retake calc3/linear algebra without any options for acceleration/ an honors version.

Yeah maybe but I wouldn't go to extraordinary efforts to finish calculus as a sophomore unless I am going to be some sort of math major.

not just math major, but any stem major, where calculus is the foundation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ offers some of the most indepth and unique math courses like Differential Equations and Advanced Math Techniques, but Multivariable is a prereq for enrollment

Multivar is offered at several/many other high schools for a post-calc alternative to Stats.

When I was in college, Diff Eq was a prereq for Multivar, so I wonder if these are the same classes or different ones.

Either way, I really enjoyed both of them. Advanced Math was not as fun a class, I found.

Current generation advanced students are passionate to advance AI evolution. TJ offers machine language and AI courses, but AP Calculus BC is a pre-req for machine language courses. The entire purpose of establishing TJ is to cater to the passions of advanced STEM students.

[Anonymous]

DS will be applying with Geometry. If FCPS wants to do more to identify kids ready for Algebra in 6th grade, like he was, then cool. But they didn’t and we are not pushing him through Geometry in a summer. The time period is too compacted to really learn the material and he has other activities that are great for him to experience planned. He won’t be taking Algebra 2 in the summer either, same reasons.

Cool If you choose differently but he is in his schools mathcount club and is going to participating in the competition as a 7th grader. He loves math competitions and did very well on the AMC 10 this year and the AMC 8 last year. TJ is a great fit for him. He will fit in great with the kids there if he is accepted and chooses to go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ offers some of the most indepth and unique math courses like Differential Equations and Advanced Math Techniques, but Multivariable is a prereq for enrollment

Multivar is offered at several/many other high schools for a post-calc alternative to Stats.

When I was in college, Diff Eq was a prereq for Multivar, so I wonder if these are the same classes or different ones.

Either way, I really enjoyed both of them. Advanced Math was not as fun a class, I found.

Current generation advanced students are passionate to advance AI evolution. TJ offers machine language and AI courses, but AP Calculus BC is a pre-req for machine language courses. The entire purpose of establishing TJ is to cater to the passions of advanced STEM students.

Some kids who love STEM have not selected a path, they just know that they excel in STEM subjects and enjoy the work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given that TJ is a Virginia Governor's STEM school attracting top students from five counties, what is the math pathway for students entering TJ who have completed Geometry, Algebra 2, or Algebra 2 Trig? On one hand, I hear that TJ, as an advanced STEM high school, offers the unique opportunity to pursue advanced math and science courses not available at base high schools. But on the other hand, how practical is it for students who have completed Geometry in 8th grade at normal pace to fully take advantage of these advanced course offerings, like post-multivariable calculus, etc.? Do TJ students skip certain math levels and enroll in AP or even more advanced courses?

If your kid comes in with Geometry:
Freshman Fall: Statistics
Freshman Spring: Algebra 2
Sophomore Fall: Trigonometry
Sophomore Spring: Pre-calc
Junior: Calculus
Senior: Math Elective

If your kid comes in with Algebra 2:
Freshman Fall: Statistics
Freshman Spring: Trigonometry
SUMMERpre-calc (you don't have to do this but a lot of kids do this unless they want to take AP statistics or something because a lot of the stuff is gate-kept behind calculus)
Sophomore: Calculus
Junior: Math Elective
Senior: Math Elective

If your kid comes in with trigonometry then they take pre-caslc in the spring of their freshman year and move on to calculus in their sophomore year.

Honestly, if you take linear algebra or multivariable calculus in high school, you are likely to be taking them again in college because a good program might not give you a pass on those pre-requisites for more advanced courses. But if you want to take something like concrete math or more advanced statistics more advanced math coming in would create room on the schedule for it. I would add a cautionary note that a lot of kids that are very accelerated in math sort of lose the plot as they move through the math progression at a place like TJ where the rigor is no joke. Unless your kid is going to be some type of math major (e.g. a CS/math major), I don't know if algebra 2 or trigonometry in 8th grade really pays off. TJ is accelerated enough for most kids, taking calculus as a TJ sophomore with mostly TJ juniors can be tough. But if your kid is really into math then there is an accelerated math path through TJ for kids that have taken algebra 2 or trig in 8th grade.

Are these courses really only 1/2 a year???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given that TJ is a Virginia Governor's STEM school attracting top students from five counties, what is the math pathway for students entering TJ who have completed Geometry, Algebra 2, or Algebra 2 Trig? On one hand, I hear that TJ, as an advanced STEM high school, offers the unique opportunity to pursue advanced math and science courses not available at base high schools. But on the other hand, how practical is it for students who have completed Geometry in 8th grade at normal pace to fully take advantage of these advanced course offerings, like post-multivariable calculus, etc.? Do TJ students skip certain math levels and enroll in AP or even more advanced courses?

If your kid comes in with Geometry:
Freshman Fall: Statistics
Freshman Spring: Algebra 2
Sophomore Fall: Trigonometry
Sophomore Spring: Pre-calc
Junior: Calculus
Senior: Math Elective

If your kid comes in with Algebra 2:
Freshman Fall: Statistics
Freshman Spring: Trigonometry
SUMMERpre-calc (you don't have to do this but a lot of kids do this unless they want to take AP statistics or something because a lot of the stuff is gate-kept behind calculus)
Sophomore: Calculus
Junior: Math Elective
Senior: Math Elective

If your kid comes in with trigonometry then they take pre-caslc in the spring of their freshman year and move on to calculus in their sophomore year.

Honestly, if you take linear algebra or multivariable calculus in high school, you are likely to be taking them again in college because a good program might not give you a pass on those pre-requisites for more advanced courses. But if you want to take something like concrete math or more advanced statistics more advanced math coming in would create room on the schedule for it. I would add a cautionary note that a lot of kids that are very accelerated in math sort of lose the plot as they move through the math progression at a place like TJ where the rigor is no joke. Unless your kid is going to be some type of math major (e.g. a CS/math major), I don't know if algebra 2 or trigonometry in 8th grade really pays off. TJ is accelerated enough for most kids, taking calculus as a TJ sophomore with mostly TJ juniors can be tough. But if your kid is really into math then there is an accelerated math path through TJ for kids that have taken algebra 2 or trig in 8th grade.

Are these courses really only 1/2 a year???

Yes some. Kids right for the school thrive with the quicker pace

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given that TJ is a Virginia Governor's STEM school attracting top students from five counties, what is the math pathway for students entering TJ who have completed Geometry, Algebra 2, or Algebra 2 Trig? On one hand, I hear that TJ, as an advanced STEM high school, offers the unique opportunity to pursue advanced math and science courses not available at base high schools. But on the other hand, how practical is it for students who have completed Geometry in 8th grade at normal pace to fully take advantage of these advanced course offerings, like post-multivariable calculus, etc.? Do TJ students skip certain math levels and enroll in AP or even more advanced courses?

If your kid comes in with Geometry:
Freshman Fall: Statistics
Freshman Spring: Algebra 2
Sophomore Fall: Trigonometry
Sophomore Spring: Pre-calc
Junior: Calculus
Senior: Math Elective

If your kid comes in with Algebra 2:
Freshman Fall: Statistics
Freshman Spring: Trigonometry
SUMMERpre-calc (you don't have to do this but a lot of kids do this unless they want to take AP statistics or something because a lot of the stuff is gate-kept behind calculus)
Sophomore: Calculus
Junior: Math Elective
Senior: Math Elective

If your kid comes in with trigonometry then they take pre-caslc in the spring of their freshman year and move on to calculus in their sophomore year.

Honestly, if you take linear algebra or multivariable calculus in high school, you are likely to be taking them again in college because a good program might not give you a pass on those pre-requisites for more advanced courses. But if you want to take something like concrete math or more advanced statistics more advanced math coming in would create room on the schedule for it. I would add a cautionary note that a lot of kids that are very accelerated in math sort of lose the plot as they move through the math progression at a place like TJ where the rigor is no joke. Unless your kid is going to be some type of math major (e.g. a CS/math major), I don't know if algebra 2 or trigonometry in 8th grade really pays off. TJ is accelerated enough for most kids, taking calculus as a TJ sophomore with mostly TJ juniors can be tough. But if your kid is really into math then there is an accelerated math path through TJ for kids that have taken algebra 2 or trig in 8th grade.

Are these courses really only 1/2 a year???

Yes some. Kids right for the school thrive with the quicker pace

What about at other high schools, like Langley or Mclean?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Given that TJ is a Virginia Governor's STEM school attracting top students from five counties, what is the math pathway for students entering TJ who have completed Geometry, Algebra 2, or Algebra 2 Trig? On one hand, I hear that TJ, as an advanced STEM high school, offers the unique opportunity to pursue advanced math and science courses not available at base high schools. But on the other hand, how practical is it for students who have completed Geometry in 8th grade at normal pace to fully take advantage of these advanced course offerings, like post-multivariable calculus, etc.? Do TJ students skip certain math levels and enroll in AP or even more advanced courses?

If your kid comes in with Geometry:
Freshman Fall: Statistics
Freshman Spring: Algebra 2
Sophomore Fall: Trigonometry
Sophomore Spring: Pre-calc
Junior: Calculus
Senior: Math Elective

If your kid comes in with Algebra 2:
Freshman Fall: Statistics
Freshman Spring: Trigonometry
SUMMERpre-calc (you don't have to do this but a lot of kids do this unless they want to take AP statistics or something because a lot of the stuff is gate-kept behind calculus)
Sophomore: Calculus
Junior: Math Elective
Senior: Math Elective

If your kid comes in with trigonometry then they take pre-caslc in the spring of their freshman year and move on to calculus in their sophomore year.

Honestly, if you take linear algebra or multivariable calculus in high school, you are likely to be taking them again in college because a good program might not give you a pass on those pre-requisites for more advanced courses. But if you want to take something like concrete math or more advanced statistics more advanced math coming in would create room on the schedule for it. I would add a cautionary note that a lot of kids that are very accelerated in math sort of lose the plot as they move through the math progression at a place like TJ where the rigor is no joke. Unless your kid is going to be some type of math major (e.g. a CS/math major), I don't know if algebra 2 or trigonometry in 8th grade really pays off. TJ is accelerated enough for most kids, taking calculus as a TJ sophomore with mostly TJ juniors can be tough. But if your kid is really into math then there is an accelerated math path through TJ for kids that have taken algebra 2 or trig in 8th grade.

Are these courses really only 1/2 a year???

Yes some. Kids right for the school thrive with the quicker pace

A number of kids have taken AoPS courses covering the content previously, which lets them proceed at a faster pace at TJ because they are already familiar with the material.