High school math courses for College entrance

[Anonymous]

DD is far from college but has to decide whether to take Algebra 1 this Fall in 7th grade. (I know there are threads on DCUM about kids taking Algebra now in 6th grade!) DD has easily met the criteria but she won't be 12 until Nov and is not the most organized person. Math comes easily to her but she is not a math lover. I have read that good colleges want a certain number of math credits from HS itself and look for math in the senior year.. Any comments from those whose kids started Algebra 1 in 7th?

[Anonymous]

If she is ready, why would she not? If not Alg I, what would she take next year?

[Anonymous]

If she doesn't love math don't do it. There were a number of kids in DCs class who should not have been accelerated and struggled in upper level math. Colleges will be fine as long as she is taking calculus by senior year, and getting As in math along the way will be a lot more compelling than Bs. If she does go on the accelerated track she can do AP Stats senior year instead of multivariable calc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If she is ready, why would she not? If not Alg I, what would she take next year?

We live in Fairfax County. In 7th grade you can take Math 7, Math 7 Honors (supposedly Math 8) or Algebra 1. She would take the second if she did not take Algebra. She took the equiv of Math 7 in 6th grade, but is a little young for her class so maturity is a factor as well.

[Anonymous]

DS did Algebra I this year, and is also disorganized. He had huge problems with the MS transition. Ended up with an aDD diagnosis. With media & a 504 he pulled an A- and pass advanced the SOL. But, his grades were much lower ear

[Anonymous]

^^^ sorry! iPhone. Anyway, low grades early in the year (lots of forgetting to turn in completed homework and careless mistakes). He spent the rest of the year struggling to get the grade up. So, when deciding, keep in mind Algebra is a HS credit class and will go on the HS transcript, which can add stress, and most AAP parents don't want the first entry for the HS GPA to be a B/B-. And consider how well you think your DC will adjust to changing classes, keeping up witH seven sets of assignments, due dates that often coincide (eg, a big project due the same day as an Algebra test) and real consequences (lower grades) for not turning in homework.

[Anonymous]

Have her take and if it becomes too much she can transfer to 7th grade Honors or take Algebra Honors again in 8th grade and get the 7th grade grade expunged. It is much easier transferring down than up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^^ sorry! iPhone. Anyway, low grades early in the year (lots of forgetting to turn in completed homework and careless mistakes). He spent the rest of the year struggling to get the grade up. So, when deciding, keep in mind Algebra is a HS credit class and will go on the HS transcript, which can add stress, and most AAP parents don't want the first entry for the HS GPA to be a B/B-. And consider how well you think your DC will adjust to changing classes, keeping up witH seven sets of assignments, due dates that often coincide (eg, a big project due the same day as an Algebra test) and real consequences (lower grades) for not turning in homework.

You can get the grade for a HS class takenin MS expunged and then it is not on the transcript or part of the HS GPA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ sorry! iPhone. Anyway, low grades early in the year (lots of forgetting to turn in completed homework and careless mistakes). He spent the rest of the year struggling to get the grade up. So, when deciding, keep in mind Algebra is a HS credit class and will go on the HS transcript, which can add stress, and most AAP parents don't want the first entry for the HS GPA to be a B/B-. And consider how well you think your DC will adjust to changing classes, keeping up witH seven sets of assignments, due dates that often coincide (eg, a big project due the same day as an Algebra test) and real consequences (lower grades) for not turning in homework.

You can get the grade for a HS class takenin MS expunged and then it is not on the transcript or part of the HS GPA.

This is true. But the form says that if you do this for both Algebra & Geometry, they can't earn an Advanced HS diploma.

[Anonymous]

Have you gotten input from DD's teacher?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^^ sorry! iPhone. Anyway, low grades early in the year (lots of forgetting to turn in completed homework and careless mistakes). He spent the rest of the year struggling to get the grade up. So, when deciding, keep in mind Algebra is a HS credit class and will go on the HS transcript, which can add stress, and most AAP parents don't want the first entry for the HS GPA to be a B/B-. And consider how well you think your DC will adjust to changing classes, keeping up witH seven sets of assignments, due dates that often coincide (eg, a big project due the same day as an Algebra test) and real consequences (lower grades) for not turning in homework.

You can get the grade for a HS class takenin MS expunged and then it is not on the transcript or part of the HS GPA.

This is true. But the form says that if you do this for both Algebra & Geometry, they can't earn an Advanced HS diploma.

If I had the 7th grade Algebra grade expunges, I would have my child retake it in 8th grade. So the advanced diploma is still in play. Also, the advanced diploma means - ? what? Nothing. Colleges don't care- they just want to see the classes your child has taken.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:most AAP parents don't want the first entry for the HS GPA to be a B/B-.

I'm not questioning the truth of this statement, but sheesh. The thought that a college is going to look at your application and thing "Wow, the looks like a great fit! No, wait, got a B in 7th grade, forget it" . . . . It is to weep.

OP, if you think your daughter is going to be unhappy in the class, let her drop down. But don't do it because of how it will look to an admissions committee.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you gotten input from DD's teacher?

From what DD has told me, it seems the teacher did not really encourage anyone in the class to take Algebra 1 even though it is an AAP class. DD is now resistant to doing it. I know, however, that most of the kids with her capabilities from other elem school will take Algebra 1. It's sort of a no brainer for the rest of the community. Algebra 1 by 7th grade is a goal equiv to AAP in 3rd grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you gotten input from DD's teacher?

From what DD has told me, it seems the teacher did not really encourage anyone in the class to take Algebra 1 even though it is an AAP class. DD is now resistant to doing it. I know, however, that most of the kids with her capabilities from other elem school will take Algebra 1. It's sort of a no brainer for the rest of the community. Algebra 1 by 7th grade is a goal equiv to AAP in 3rd grade.

If I were you, I'd probably put her in. It's always easier to pull back later than try to move up as one of the PPs said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:most AAP parents don't want the first entry for the HS GPA to be a B/B-.

I'm not questioning the truth of this statement, but sheesh. The thought that a college is going to look at your application and thing "Wow, the looks like a great fit! No, wait, got a B in 7th grade, forget it" . . . . It is to weep.

OP, if you think your daughter is going to be unhappy in the class, let her drop down. But don't do it because of how it will look to an admissions committee.

It's beyond sad. But head over to the college discussion board and take a look at all the parents posting about kids with 4.0 + GPAs who can't get into UVA/WM. NOVA is so hyper competitive academically, that bright, talented,hardworking, all around good kids can't get into the flagship state colleges. It's terrible, but it's true.