HIgh School Summer School for Math Question

[Anonymous]

Is OP's DD wanting to take algII for acceleration purposes or for personal enrichment purposes? It sounds like the latter, in which case an outside enrichment (RSM or AoPS) seems like a better fit.

If the former, other posters have posted concerns with acceleration without depth, or acceleration for acceleration's sake... Accelerating through Algebra II without depth will get students in trouble in precalc and calc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The regular pathway is Algebra is 9th grade. One year accelerated (compacted math in 4th/5th grade) means Geometry in 9th grade. Two years accelerated (compacted math in 4th/5th grade + two years of math in sixth grade) is Algebra 2 in 9th grade. I don’t really know who is doing pre-calc in 9th grade. I’m not saying it is impossible but I don’t know kids who do this. Doing pre-calc in 9th grade seems like you’d run out of next-step math classes at the local school by senior year since so few kids (if any) would be 3 years accelerated.

Kids in the SMCS magnet and Poolesville and Blair do this. They then offer linear algebra and vector calculus which give direct transfer of credit and grade to UMd. Not sure what is offered at other schools.

[Anonymous]

Is this necessary for a top 20 or 50 school? Will starting in Algebra II or Geometry really make a difference?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this necessary for a top 20 or 50 school? Will starting in Algebra II or Geometry really make a difference?

No one can tell you this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this necessary for a top 20 or 50 school? Will starting in Algebra II or Geometry really make a difference?

No. However, for students aiming at STEM major, which op's DD seems to be interested to major in, fast-track math means getting AP physics C and Calculus BC credits in 10th or 11th grades, and maybe a couple of other STEM AP courses with pre-requisite. This adds some weights for college application. As said above in pp's post, practically you can save some $$$ for college tuition and graduate faster. For most kids that may end up in UMD or in-state public Univ., it's not a big difference, but it's a 50K+ difference for out-of-state private universities or those expensive public ones (e.g., UCB, UCLA, UMich, etc.)

[Anonymous]

Agree about either doubling up math classes, taking geometry in the summer, or taking Alg II outside of school and then asking to take a placement test. Be very careful rushing the upper grade math sequence especially if she wants to take Honors and AP classes. Honors Pre-Cal is known for being a struggle course.

It’s like Organic physics on the pre-med track. Some folks are going to be fine, some are going to work a lot harder, some are really going to need a tutor, and some are going to drop down to avoid failing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree about either doubling up math classes, taking geometry in the summer, or taking Alg II outside of school and then asking to take a placement test. Be very careful rushing the upper grade math sequence especially if she wants to take Honors and AP classes. Honors Pre-Cal is known for being a struggle course.

It’s like Organic physics on the pre-med track. Some folks are going to be fine, some are going to work a lot harder, some are really going to need a tutor, and some are going to drop down to avoid failing.

I wouldn’t take any advice from someone believing organic physics is a thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree about either doubling up math classes, taking geometry in the summer, or taking Alg II outside of school and then asking to take a placement test. Be very careful rushing the upper grade math sequence especially if she wants to take Honors and AP classes. Honors Pre-Cal is known for being a struggle course.

It’s like Organic physics on the pre-med track. Some folks are going to be fine, some are going to work a lot harder, some are really going to need a tutor, and some are going to drop down to avoid failing.

I wouldn’t take any advice from someone believing organic physics is a thing.

Biophysical chem is a thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this necessary for a top 20 or 50 school? Will starting in Algebra II or Geometry really make a difference?

No. However, for students aiming at STEM major, which op's DD seems to be interested to major in, fast-track math means getting AP physics C and Calculus BC credits in 10th or 11th grades, and maybe a couple of other STEM AP courses with pre-requisite. This adds some weights for college application. As said above in pp's post, practically you can save some $$$ for college tuition and graduate faster. For most kids that may end up in UMD or in-state public Univ., it's not a big difference, but it's a 50K+ difference for out-of-state private universities or those expensive public ones (e.g., UCB, UCLA, UMich, etc.)

Don't buy into the race to nowhere. BC Calc by 12th is fine for STEM majors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree about either doubling up math classes, taking geometry in the summer, or taking Alg II outside of school and then asking to take a placement test. Be very careful rushing the upper grade math sequence especially if she wants to take Honors and AP classes. Honors Pre-Cal is known for being a struggle course.

It’s like Organic physics on the pre-med track. Some folks are going to be fine, some are going to work a lot harder, some are really going to need a tutor, and some are going to drop down to avoid failing.

I wouldn’t take any advice from someone believing organic physics is a thing.

Noonien Soong would like a word.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this necessary for a top 20 or 50 school? Will starting in Algebra II or Geometry really make a difference?

No. However, for students aiming at STEM major, which op's DD seems to be interested to major in, fast-track math means getting AP physics C and Calculus BC credits in 10th or 11th grades, and maybe a couple of other STEM AP courses with pre-requisite. This adds some weights for college application. As said above in pp's post, practically you can save some $$$ for college tuition and graduate faster. For most kids that may end up in UMD or in-state public Univ., it's not a big difference, but it's a 50K+ difference for out-of-state private universities or those expensive public ones (e.g., UCB, UCLA, UMich, etc.)

More commonly it's about getting more education in the the same amount of time. "Graduate faster" usually means getting a BA+MA / BS+MS or a double major or just having intro PhD classes done before starting. Leaving school early is for JD and MD because those schools give no credit for coursework done during undergrad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is eager to delve deeper into mathematics and is transitioning from a different school system in North Carolina where she completed Algebra in 8th grade. Despite MCPS placing her in Honors Geometry for 9th grade, she's expressing a strong desire to undertake Algebra 2 during the upcoming summer to continue her advancement. She excels in math and finds it to be her favorite subject.

We've already discussed this with her guidance counselor, who gave tentative approval, although there's uncertainty regarding the availability of Algebra 2 for the summer session. The counselor indicated that a decision on this matter has not yet been reached.

I'm interested to know, especially from parents with math-oriented children, if her request appears reasonable to you. Her cousin is in MCPS same grade and is starting with Algebra 2 which got her on this path of wanting to move forward.

Is there a potential route for her to pursue this during the summer, and when does MCPS typically release their summer program details?

As she's entering a new school this autumn, I'm wondering whether these sessions are specific to each high school, or if they consist of a mixture of students from different schools that offer the program?

Would it be feasible for her to take this course online or at another school? I've noticed that certain private schools include these courses in their summer curriculum, and we're open to the possibility of enrolling her there.

Thank you for your assistance.

"My daughter is eager to delve deeper into mathematics" -- If this is fully true and not you influencing it, then don't bother with school math as she will likely not be challenged in a way that stimulates her interest. Your best bet as others have said, is to enroll her in AoPS class (either the live campus), or alternatively enroll in their online text based classes which are significantly cheaper. At a minimum, I highly recommend buying an AoPS book (with solution manual) for her and have her self study from her. If she finds the material eye opening, you may have a future mathematician/scientist on your hands.