Algebra 1 in 9th grade

[Anonymous]

I am wondering how many top 3 (5/6 will do, too) private school students put off Algebra 1 until 9th grade. MY DC will not be taking it in 8th next year, and though I know this is for the best, I am concerned about how this will effect DC going forward. School has assured me that although the cohort in 8th not taking algebra is small, the one taking Algebra 1 in 9th expands. Also, how detrimental to DC's college prospects will it be to not have a strong math course behind them? DC does well in all other areas (A-s and B+s) and I think will do better in math by not being pushed too far ahead (DC is very young for grade, along with minor processing and working memory issues). Really I am just looking for some positive experiences and outcomes for those who are similar. I know this is not the greatest of circumstances, and it is stressing me out a bit, so some positive feedback would be much appreciated!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am wondering how many top 3 (5/6 will do, too) private school students put off Algebra 1 until 9th grade. MY DC will not be taking it in 8th next year, and though I know this is for the best, I am concerned about how this will effect DC going forward. School has assured me that although the cohort in 8th not taking algebra is small, the one taking Algebra 1 in 9th expands. Also, how detrimental to DC's college prospects will it be to not have a strong math course behind them? DC does well in all other areas (A-s and B+s) and I think will do better in math by not being pushed too far ahead (DC is very young for grade, along with minor processing and working memory issues). Really I am just looking for some positive experiences and outcomes for those who are similar. I know this is not the greatest of circumstances[b], and it is stressing me out a bit, so some positive feedback would be much appreciated!

Relax. Many kids in privates take Algebra in 9th grade. Classrooms full! Mine who did is now entering his senior year. Not a single college counselor or admissions officer has mentioned anything about his math -- which is his weakest subject.

[Anonymous]

Me too. PreAlgebra (the 80s version of not able to do algebra quite yet) in 8th grade, Algebra in 9th, Geometry in 10th, Algebra II in 11th, etc.

[Anonymous]

We just went through this with our rising 8th grader. He has struggled with math and this year we sent him for additional tutoring. He wasn't happy at first, but has flourished with the tutoring and now has a positive outlook on math due to his success. He went from a D grade to finishing the school year with an A.

He is going to be applying to several private schools this coming year for high school. He was slated to take Math 8 next year, but he was concerned that he would be behind all of his peers if he was accepted to private school. He has friends in public middle school that took algebra 1 in 7th grade (advanced kids) and the majority seem to take it in 8th grade.

We spoke to his tutor about it and he said that if he continues to work hard over the summer that he should be fine taking Algebra 1 in 8th grade. Furthermore, if he does struggle with it in 8th grade he can simply re-take Algebra 1 in 9th grade. It seemed like a win win to us, so that is the route he's taking.

[Anonymous]

Don't private schools provide resources so kids don't fall behind? I mean, isn't that why people pay 30-40k/year?? Even in public schools, Alg 1 is a 7th grade math for many kids.

[Anonymous]

Most kids aren't strong in all areas. If the school isn't concerned, I wouldn't worry too much about it. There is no need to struggle and agonize in a class he isn't ready to take yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't private schools provide resources so kids don't fall behind? I mean, isn't that why people pay 30-40k/year?? Even in public schools, Alg 1 is a 7th grade math for many kids.

Well, obviously, you can't afford the tuition, so you just don't get to know why. Too bad for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't private schools provide resources so kids don't fall behind? I mean, isn't that why people pay 30-40k/year?? Even in public schools, Alg 1 is a 7th grade math for many kids.

Well, obviously, you can't afford the tuition, so you just don't get to know why. Too bad for you.

it's okay. at least my kid is 2 years ahead of your kid in math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am wondering how many top 3 (5/6 will do, too) private school students put off Algebra 1 until 9th grade. MY DC will not be taking it in 8th next year, and though I know this is for the best, I am concerned about how this will effect DC going forward. School has assured me that although the cohort in 8th not taking algebra is small, the one taking Algebra 1 in 9th expands. Also, how detrimental to DC's college prospects will it be to not have a strong math course behind them? DC does well in all other areas (A-s and B+s) and I think will do better in math by not being pushed too far ahead (DC is very young for grade, along with minor processing and working memory issues). Really I am just looking for some positive experiences and outcomes for those who are similar. I know this is not the greatest of circumstances, and it is stressing me out a bit, so some positive feedback would be much appreciated!

On a side note, the top students in private schools don't take algebra until 8th grade?

In fcps the most advance kids take algebra in 6th and the top take it in 7th. Average, run of the mill bright kids take it in 8th and the remainder in 9th.

Is it typical for private kids not to accelerate math?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't private schools provide resources so kids don't fall behind? I mean, isn't that why people pay 30-40k/year?? Even in public schools, Alg 1 is a 7th grade math for many kids.

OP here: see, this is why I pointed out that I was stressed. I really don't think I should be, but this is the kind of thing we're up against in this area. For the record, advancing to algebra at the age of 12 is not the reason I have my DC in private, but I do feel guilty that I didn't make sure he wasn't falling behind earlier. This was his first year at this school and it's quite rigorous, so I know there's no choice. But I am disappointed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't private schools provide resources so kids don't fall behind? I mean, isn't that why people pay 30-40k/year?? Even in public schools, Alg 1 is a 7th grade math for many kids.

OP here: see, this is why I pointed out that I was stressed. I really don't think I should be, but this is the kind of thing we're up against in this area. For the record, advancing to algebra at the age of 12 is not the reason I have my DC in private, but I do feel guilty that I didn't make sure he wasn't falling behind earlier. This was his first year at this school and it's quite rigorous, so I know there's no choice. But I am disappointed.

Don't feel guilty and don't dwell on the past. Focus on the future and what you can do to get him to where he needs to be. If that meas getting him a tutor a few nights a week then so be it. The important part is that he is working hard, applying himself and seeing the fruits of his labor.

[Anonymous]

I had my kids take Algebra in 8th grade and retake it in 9th grade.

Grades in 8th grade are meaningless... Algebra is the most important Math for science and business.

One son did well in 8th and I had him take honors Algebra in 9th.

The only downside is their PSAT scores will freak you out since they have no Geometry and Algebra 2.

Slow and steady!

My family is dyslexic and mostly Engineers, so math is not really a weakness, but I believe in a strong base and acceleration is useless beyond making parents feel their kids are better than other kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't private schools provide resources so kids don't fall behind? I mean, isn't that why people pay 30-40k/year?? Even in public schools, Alg 1 is a 7th grade math for many kids.

OP here: see, this is why I pointed out that I was stressed. I really don't think I should be, but this is the kind of thing we're up against in this area. For the record, advancing to algebra at the age of 12 is not the reason I have my DC in private, but I do feel guilty that I didn't make sure he wasn't falling behind earlier. This was his first year at this school and it's quite rigorous, so I know there's no choice. But I am disappointed.

Don't feel guilty and don't dwell on the past. Focus on the future and what you can do to get him to where he needs to be. If that meas getting him a tutor a few nights a week then so be it. The important part is that he is working hard, applying himself and seeing the fruits of his labor.

Thanks for that. It's hard not to feel bad, if I should have done more. On the other hand, I do feel that this past year, all the time DC spent on math really took away from the time and effort that could have been put toward the stronger subject areas. I think by putting DC on slower path, they will find more success at school overall. Point is: not doing tutors several nights a week-but probably at least one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had my kids take Algebra in 8th grade and retake it in 9th grade.

Grades in 8th grade are meaningless... Algebra is the most important Math for science and business.

One son did well in 8th and I had him take honors Algebra in 9th.

The only downside is their PSAT scores will freak you out since they have no Geometry and Algebra 2.

Slow and steady!

My family is dyslexic and mostly Engineers, so math is not really a weakness, but I believe in a strong base and acceleration is useless beyond making parents feel their kids are better than other kids.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Don't stress about it. The point of going to one of these schools is to get the best possible education for your individual child. Trust your teachers. At our big 3/4/5 high school, very few students take algebra in 9th grade, but they are taking it then for good reasons. The teachers are making a judgement about your child's math skills. If you think your child can catch up, tutoring can help, but it is very difficult to make up a whole course level. Our school actively discourages summer courses, but one of the big 3/4/5 offers summer classes for this purpose. If your child is a very strong humanities/arts oriented student, it will not make a difference for college admissions even at the very top tier schools. No Ivy insists on likely English or history majors taking BC calculus.