revisiting Algebra 1 after test scores

[George2025]

My 5th grader has a 550 on the 6th grade math sol and a 258 on his math MAP. We received these scores after the decision for Algebra 1 in 6th grade was made. We opted out but now I am feeling conflicted. Any one else in the same boat? It is odd that they made parents make the decision before test results were known.

[Anonymous]

I am sure if you have changed your mind you can contact the principal and be switched in. I would just try to confirm the class is being taught in person and not virtually. In my opinion, the virtual option is not ideal for any kid.

[Anonymous]

opt out

[Anonymous]

What classes do you want your child taking for math in HS? Do you see a need for your child to be taking classes past Multivariate Calculus or Linear Algebra in HS? That is the main question you need to be asking. Most colleges want kids to have 4 years of math in HS, not just 4 years of HS math. Think of the classes that are available to your child in HS and ask yourself if you think your kid legitimately needs those classes.

Is your kid asking to do more math? Some kids do, mine did. I thought it was crazy at first but he legitimately wanted to do more math. He is a rising 9th grader and misses other activities to participate in math competitions on the weekend, his choice. If that is your kid, then A1H in 6th grade makes sense.

If your kid is good at math but doesn't love the subject, stick to A1H in 7th grade. They will be plenty advanced and you are less likely to have a kid who doesn't want to do more advanced math in HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am sure if you have changed your mind you can contact the principal and be switched in. I would just try to confirm the class is being taught in person and not virtually. In my opinion, the virtual option is not ideal for any kid.

It is the virtual option which is why we initially opted out. But looking at his scores, I just don't want my son to be bored next year. This year he finished his work early all year and then was told to do ST math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What classes do you want your child taking for math in HS? Do you see a need for your child to be taking classes past Multivariate Calculus or Linear Algebra in HS? That is the main question you need to be asking. Most colleges want kids to have 4 years of math in HS, not just 4 years of HS math. Think of the classes that are available to your child in HS and ask yourself if you think your kid legitimately needs those classes.

Is your kid asking to do more math? Some kids do, mine did. I thought it was crazy at first but he legitimately wanted to do more math. He is a rising 9th grader and misses other activities to participate in math competitions on the weekend, his choice. If that is your kid, then A1H in 6th grade makes sense.

If your kid is good at math but doesn't love the subject, stick to A1H in 7th grade. They will be plenty advanced and you are less likely to have a kid who doesn't want to do more advanced math in HS.

This is good insight. Thank you. He has not found the coursework challenging this year. I don't want him to race ahead in math but also don't want him to be bored. It is a tough call.

[Anonymous]

OP - I would not have a 6th grader take Algebra I Honors virtually. This is such a key class, you really want to be sure they have a solid foundation.

[Anonymous]

You are right to opt out of the virtual version. It is so basic (the curriculum used is what is used for high schoolers at risk of not graduating due to missing too much school--it's intended for high level catch up).

Your child will be more challenged by waiting until 7th to take it at a true honors level.

[Anonymous]

I fear not taking Algebra 1 as a 6th grader now when it is now offered quite liberally and taken by so many students, would put a student behind their peer group.

So students might end up in tiers like:
1) Students in AAP + Algebra 1 in 6th
2) Students in AAP
3) Students in General Ed

And this would continue into HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I fear not taking Algebra 1 as a 6th grader now when it is now offered quite liberally and taken by so many students, would put a student behind their peer group.

So students might end up in tiers like:
1) Students in AAP + Algebra 1 in 6th
2) Students in AAP
3) Students in General Ed

And this would continue into HS.

You missed some tiers:
1) aap + algebra in 6th
2) aap + algebra in 7th, plus all honors advanced math kids who take algebra in 7th
3)aap + algebra in 8th, plus all honors kids who take algebra in 8th
4) gened kids who accelerate or take just honors math
5) gened
6) kids who need remediation

Feel better?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I fear not taking Algebra 1 as a 6th grader now when it is now offered quite liberally and taken by so many students, would put a student behind their peer group.

So students might end up in tiers like:
1) Students in AAP + Algebra 1 in 6th
2) Students in AAP
3) Students in General Ed

And this would continue into HS.

The top tier colleges are looking for kids who took Calculus, they are not looking for anything beyond that. FCPS is already an anomaly with 7th grade Algebra, it is just becoming more of one with 6th grade Algebra. The peer group is still going to consist of most kids taking Algebra 1 in 8th grade and a decent number in 9th grade. The kids who are waiting until 7th for Algebra are going to be just fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I fear not taking Algebra 1 as a 6th grader now when it is now offered quite liberally and taken by so many students, would put a student behind their peer group.

So students might end up in tiers like:
1) Students in AAP + Algebra 1 in 6th
2) Students in AAP
3) Students in General Ed

And this would continue into HS.

You’re also going to see a good deal of students receiving lower grades on HS transcript bc they aren’t ready for the super accelerated sequence this puts them on.

OP - my child has nearly identical scores and we opted out. I’m very comfortable with the decision and have zero concerns about DC appearing “second tier” by comparison. This is going to be a train wreck when these kids get to high school and I suspect a lot of math inclined kids are going to end up hating the subject.

[Anonymous]

How much does your kid love math? Maybe have your kid look at an AMC 8 test or a Mathcounts chapter test. If your kid is excited by the problems and wants to try to complete the test, then I'd go forward with 6th grade Algebra, but also supplement with AoPS or RSM.

If your kid thinks the test looks tedious and they don't want to sit down and do math problems, then your kid likely doesn't *love* math. That's fine, but I'd stick with 7th grade Algebra. Next year might be boring, but your kid won't be stuck taking 2 years of post-AP calc math in high school.

Here's the most recent AMC8:
https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php?title=2026_AMC_8_Problems

Mathcounts has old tests here: https://www.mathcounts.org/resources/past-competitions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I fear not taking Algebra 1 as a 6th grader now when it is now offered quite liberally and taken by so many students, would put a student behind their peer group.

So students might end up in tiers like:
1) Students in AAP + Algebra 1 in 6th
2) Students in AAP
3) Students in General Ed

And this would continue into HS.

You’re also going to see a good deal of students receiving lower grades on HS transcript bc they aren’t ready for the super accelerated sequence this puts them on.

OP - my child has nearly identical scores and we opted out. I’m very comfortable with the decision and have zero concerns about DC appearing “second tier” by comparison. This is going to be a train wreck when these kids get to high school and I suspect a lot of math inclined kids are going to end up hating the subject.

+1. My DC is finishing 6th grade now but we opted out of algebra this year and I’m happy with that choice. Mastering 6th grade math doesn’t mean they are ready to skip 7th and 8th grade math, which is what they do if they go straight to algebra 1.

[Anonymous]

6th AAP teacher here. I had several students with those stats. They were all challenged. I did a lot of extensions into algebra 1 concepts. They were appropriately placed and will ace Algebra next year. The majority of the kids at my school are staying in the regular track because the hyper acceleration is not needed by MOST kids.