Algebra 1 in 5th

[Anonymous]

OP, I'll give you a different perspective. My 12 year old is taking pre-calculus with zero problems. Not every kid who is accelerated hits a wall in Algebra II or pre-calc. Many thrive with the faster pace and with less boredom.

If your child doesn't attend TJ, he should be able to take AP Calc in 9th, then DE Multivariable and Linear Algebra, and then a couple courses at GMU. AP Stats is also a completely valid option, and unlike many of the STEM oriented kids, your child won't have to waste an elective slot to take it. That would only leave one year where your kid would need a college class.

If your child gets into TJ, there are plenty of math classes there for him. With the new admissions process leading to highly accelerated kids remaining at base high schools, there will likely be additional math offerings for non TJ kids by the time your child reaches high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A student who takes algebra 1 in 7th grade will run out of math at my FCPS school. They will have to take senior year classes at NVCC, online, or skip math entirely.

Sorry, I lied, they could take a "gap year" of AP stats somewhere in the calculus track to not run out of math. That buys one more year for the 7th grade algebra student. Most of those kids want to keep going forward though, not side step.

I agree that you need to figure out the path. To get an advanced diploma, kids need 4 years of math IN HIGH SCHOOL, not just 4 years of high school math (please someone correct me if I am mistaken about that). If that is the case, you need to figure out what math classes will be available in high school for your student.

High school math teacher again: This actually isn't true. You need 4 math credits, total. They could theoretically all be done before entering high school, but then you'd have to explain on your application to college why you haven't taken math for years and years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I'll give you a different perspective. My 12 year old is taking pre-calculus with zero problems. Not every kid who is accelerated hits a wall in Algebra II or pre-calc. Many thrive with the faster pace and with less boredom.

If your child doesn't attend TJ, he should be able to take AP Calc in 9th, then DE Multivariable and Linear Algebra, and then a couple courses at GMU. AP Stats is also a completely valid option, and unlike many of the STEM oriented kids, your child won't have to waste an elective slot to take it. That would only leave one year where your kid would need a college class.

If your child gets into TJ, there are plenty of math classes there for him. With the new admissions process leading to highly accelerated kids remaining at base high schools, there will likely be additional math offerings for non TJ kids by the time your child reaches high school.

We are actually going the other way at my school and removing all the post calc options. The philosophy is that 1) It makes the master schedule impossible to have singleton sections of math courses that only 12 kids enroll in, and 2) the purpose of high school is to teach high school level classes, not 2nd and 3rd year college. Colleges exist for that.

There are certainly ways to get those courses if you are willing to pay, but i don't think most high schools will have enough to keep someone who takes algebra before 7th engaged for 4 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I'll give you a different perspective. My 12 year old is taking pre-calculus with zero problems. Not every kid who is accelerated hits a wall in Algebra II or pre-calc. Many thrive with the faster pace and with less boredom.

If your child doesn't attend TJ, he should be able to take AP Calc in 9th, then DE Multivariable and Linear Algebra, and then a couple courses at GMU. AP Stats is also a completely valid option, and unlike many of the STEM oriented kids, your child won't have to waste an elective slot to take it. That would only leave one year where your kid would need a college class.

If your child gets into TJ, there are plenty of math classes there for him. With the new admissions process leading to highly accelerated kids remaining at base high schools, there will likely be additional math offerings for non TJ kids by the time your child reaches high school.

We are actually going the other way at my school and removing all the post calc options. The philosophy is that 1) It makes the master schedule impossible to have singleton sections of math courses that only 12 kids enroll in, and 2) the purpose of high school is to teach high school level classes, not 2nd and 3rd year college. Colleges exist for that.

There are certainly ways to get those courses if you are willing to pay, but i don't think most high schools will have enough to keep someone who takes algebra before 7th engaged for 4 years.

Is this an FCPS high school? If so, which one?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A student who takes algebra 1 in 7th grade will run out of math at my FCPS school. They will have to take senior year classes at NVCC, online, or skip math entirely.

Sorry, I lied, they could take a "gap year" of AP stats somewhere in the calculus track to not run out of math. That buys one more year for the 7th grade algebra student. Most of those kids want to keep going forward though, not side step.

Have you ever looked at course catalogs? Enough kids take algebra 1 in 7th that FCPS high schools offer linear algebra and multivariable calculus.

[Anonymous]

I would wait till 6. 5th is very young. Not so much an issue for algebra and geometry but it gets much harder with algebra 2.

[Anonymous]

OP mine took Algebra one in fourth grade and they were shipped to a middle school.

Honestly, it was a pain.

Online Algebra 1 is totally fine. Algebra 1 is easy for a good math student.

And yes I would have my kids who love math do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A student who takes algebra 1 in 7th grade will run out of math at my FCPS school. They will have to take senior year classes at NVCC, online, or skip math entirely.

Sorry, I lied, they could take a "gap year" of AP stats somewhere in the calculus track to not run out of math. That buys one more year for the 7th grade algebra student. Most of those kids want to keep going forward though, not side step.

Have you ever looked at course catalogs? Enough kids take algebra 1 in 7th that FCPS high schools offer linear algebra and multivariable calculus.

But should they? Do you really want your kid learning college level math from a high school teacher? Guess what? Colleges don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I'll give you a different perspective. My 12 year old is taking pre-calculus with zero problems. Not every kid who is accelerated hits a wall in Algebra II or pre-calc. Many thrive with the faster pace and with less boredom.

If your child doesn't attend TJ, he should be able to take AP Calc in 9th, then DE Multivariable and Linear Algebra, and then a couple courses at GMU. AP Stats is also a completely valid option, and unlike many of the STEM oriented kids, your child won't have to waste an elective slot to take it. That would only leave one year where your kid would need a college class.

If your child gets into TJ, there are plenty of math classes there for him. With the new admissions process leading to highly accelerated kids remaining at base high schools, there will likely be additional math offerings for non TJ kids by the time your child reaches high school.

We aren't talking about problems or hitting an intellectual wall. What is the goal here? Why is good and necessary for a young child to be aiming for college before he's old enough to drive?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A student who takes algebra 1 in 7th grade will run out of math at my FCPS school. They will have to take senior year classes at NVCC, online, or skip math entirely.

Sorry, I lied, they could take a "gap year" of AP stats somewhere in the calculus track to not run out of math. That buys one more year for the 7th grade algebra student. Most of those kids want to keep going forward though, not side step.

I agree that you need to figure out the path. To get an advanced diploma, kids need 4 years of math IN HIGH SCHOOL, not just 4 years of high school math (please someone correct me if I am mistaken about that). If that is the case, you need to figure out what math classes will be available in high school for your student.

My middle schooler is taking high school math. It doesn't mean "in high school" it means for high school credit. So, if a 7th grade student takes high school math, that counts as one of the 4 credits required.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A student who takes algebra 1 in 7th grade will run out of math at my FCPS school. They will have to take senior year classes at NVCC, online, or skip math entirely.

Sorry, I lied, they could take a "gap year" of AP stats somewhere in the calculus track to not run out of math. That buys one more year for the 7th grade algebra student. Most of those kids want to keep going forward though, not side step.

I agree that you need to figure out the path. To get an advanced diploma, kids need 4 years of math IN HIGH SCHOOL, not just 4 years of high school math (please someone correct me if I am mistaken about that). If that is the case, you need to figure out what math classes will be available in high school for your student.

My middle schooler is taking high school math. It doesn't mean "in high school" it means for high school credit. So, if a 7th grade student takes high school math, that counts as one of the 4 credits required.

,PP was correct
Even if your DC takes Algebra I in 5th grade, they still need to take 4 math classes in their four years of high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A student who takes algebra 1 in 7th grade will run out of math at my FCPS school. They will have to take senior year classes at NVCC, online, or skip math entirely.

Sorry, I lied, they could take a "gap year" of AP stats somewhere in the calculus track to not run out of math. That buys one more year for the 7th grade algebra student. Most of those kids want to keep going forward though, not side step.

Have you ever looked at course catalogs? Enough kids take algebra 1 in 7th that FCPS high schools offer linear algebra and multivariable calculus.

But should they? Do you really want your kid learning college level math from a high school teacher? Guess what? Colleges don't.

You mean colleges will prefer that they take those classes in a 100 student+ lecture hall rather than in a class that may have less than a dozen students all of whom are very good at math? I would think the latter would be preferable, but that's just me

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A student who takes algebra 1 in 7th grade will run out of math at my FCPS school. They will have to take senior year classes at NVCC, online, or skip math entirely.

Sorry, I lied, they could take a "gap year" of AP stats somewhere in the calculus track to not run out of math. That buys one more year for the 7th grade algebra student. Most of those kids want to keep going forward though, not side step.

I agree that you need to figure out the path. To get an advanced diploma, kids need 4 years of math IN HIGH SCHOOL, not just 4 years of high school math (please someone correct me if I am mistaken about that). If that is the case, you need to figure out what math classes will be available in high school for your student.

My middle schooler is taking high school math. It doesn't mean "in high school" it means for high school credit. So, if a 7th grade student takes high school math, that counts as one of the 4 credits required.

,PP was correct
Even if your DC takes Algebra I in 5th grade, they still need to take 4 math classes in their four years of high school.

I don't see the problem, that just means that they'll have a very small class at some point because the high school has to provide any class they're requiring for graduation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I'll give you a different perspective. My 12 year old is taking pre-calculus with zero problems. Not every kid who is accelerated hits a wall in Algebra II or pre-calc. Many thrive with the faster pace and with less boredom.

If your child doesn't attend TJ, he should be able to take AP Calc in 9th, then DE Multivariable and Linear Algebra, and then a couple courses at GMU. AP Stats is also a completely valid option, and unlike many of the STEM oriented kids, your child won't have to waste an elective slot to take it. That would only leave one year where your kid would need a college class.

If your child gets into TJ, there are plenty of math classes there for him. With the new admissions process leading to highly accelerated kids remaining at base high schools, there will likely be additional math offerings for non TJ kids by the time your child reaches high school.

We aren't talking about problems or hitting an intellectual wall. What is the goal here? Why is good and necessary for a young child to be aiming for college before he's old enough to drive?

The goal is to place the child in a level appropriate for his ability, so he isn't bored out of his mind. I have no idea why so many people think it's a good thing for a child to sit in a class for which he has already mastered all of the material and then just twiddle his thumbs for an hour each day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A student who takes algebra 1 in 7th grade will run out of math at my FCPS school. They will have to take senior year classes at NVCC, online, or skip math entirely.

Sorry, I lied, they could take a "gap year" of AP stats somewhere in the calculus track to not run out of math. That buys one more year for the 7th grade algebra student. Most of those kids want to keep going forward though, not side step.

Have you ever looked at course catalogs? Enough kids take algebra 1 in 7th that FCPS high schools offer linear algebra and multivariable calculus.

But should they? Do you really want your kid learning college level math from a high school teacher? Guess what? Colleges don't.

You mean colleges will prefer that they take those classes in a 100 student+ lecture hall rather than in a class that may have less than a dozen students all of whom are very good at math? I would think the latter would be preferable, but that's just me

That's not the important distinction.

Did you go to high school? And college? And are you keeping in mind that the AP classes our kids are taking are not the AP classes that we took ourselves?