My son is taking Algebra 1 in 9th grade. Is he doomed?

[Anonymous]

My son is going to a Catholic HS next year (not in this area). He took the Algebra 1 placement test but didn’t pass so he will take Algebra 1 next year. I was at a party with other parents and all of them gave me this horrified look when they asked what math my son would be in next year. They said he wouldn’t be able to go into math, science, computer science etc in college if he started off in Algebra 1. Is this true? FWIW, he was placed into honors Algebra 1. He is bright but he just didn’t pass that test.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Lucifer is knocking.

[Anonymous]

That’s not true. Just watch his grades.

[Anonymous]

I know. I’ve heard him. Lol. OP here. I know things have changed since I went to school but what is the big deal? Did anyone have a kid in the same boat? Are kids really pigeonholed at age 13?

[Anonymous]

There is a difference between sufficient knowledge and general intelligence. Your child has the latter but not the former. In his case, I recommend he prep over the summer and take the placement test again. It’s a question of not letting doors close in high school, OP. My son will be taking Honors Algebra 2 in 9th, after taking Algebra 1 and Geometry, and he’s not particularly gifted in math.

[Anonymous]

he's not doomed but he is probably out of the running for admission to an engineering or computer science program.

[Anonymous]

PP, what would you suggest for a kid who will switch to an American school for the first time in 9th grade? My DC is at the French school in 5th. I’ve wondered if this is something we can mitigate in MS.

[Anonymous]

No, OP that is not true. DD just took pre calculus in 12 grade and got into great college, not Ivy, in fact she got over 35K in scholarships to most colleges she applied to. They are just trying to get you to freak out, spend money on tutoring and tell other clients(paying customers) that all of the kids in their school are in Algebra II. In fact, my DS who was ahead in math, didn't get in as many top rated school as DD who was. BTW, I am the Lucifer pp. Just a joke, catholic school and all.

[Anonymous]

^^ as dd who was behind in math/meaning on time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
There is a difference between sufficient knowledge and general intelligence. Your child has the latter but not the former. In his case, I recommend he prep over the summer and take the placement test again. It’s a question of not letting doors close in high school, OP. My son will be taking Honors Algebra 2 in 9th, after taking Algebra 1 and Geometry, and he’s not particularly gifted in math.

OP here. The retest is next week and my DS has finals this week. Studying for a retest isn’t going to happen in that period of time.

[Anonymous]

OP, my son was a late bloomer and young in his grade. His schedule, slower to take Algebra 1, meant he had a very thorough understanding of Algebra 1 & 2 leaving high school. No problems having a choice of college acceptances, just not the most selective in our state.

Going forward in college, he could have charted a course for any major. It just takes planning. And they have to want it.

We didn't feel that any college major was out-of-reach, not because of high school. It's not really about the HS schedule, but it is about interest. Students do best, obviously, in subjects that interest them. Looking out for that possibility, that your DC may not be focused in that direction, seems realistic.

I do know an engineer who graduated FCPS, highest HS math was pre-calc. He was accepted into engineering at an out-of-state flagship U. This was 10 yrs ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP, what would you suggest for a kid who will switch to an American school for the first time in 9th grade? My DC is at the French school in 5th. I’ve wondered if this is something we can mitigate in MS.

I'm 19:13 and also happen to be French
Solution is easy - you find out what the curriculum is (main school website, ask teachers, etc), and he needs to review by himself or with a tutor/after school math class until he reaches the desired level and can test in to that level.

OP, in MCPS, please check the test dates again with a different person. My son's school offered to test him in the summer and up to the end of the first quarter, with a view to moving him at the start of the second quarter.

[Anonymous]

The reality is that a little more than 70% of all FCPS kids take Algebra I in 8th grade or earlier. So, even though your child is in Catholic school (not FCPS), he will be competing against kids in FCPS (if you are in Va) where kids have much stronger math resum[/code]és when they apply to college.

I have no doubt that there are other state schools (not in VA) that will be willing to admit him with only pre-calc (for eng./comsci). But, I wouldn't expect him to be admitted to the engineering/computer college until he shows he can do calculus (even if that is first year of college). He can get the degree eventually.

FWIW, it may be possible for your child to do geometry over the summer and then move to Alg. II in the fall of sophomore year. If he isn't interested in engineering/comsci (not everyone has to do those types of majors), it doesn't matter if he does calculus.

[Anonymous]

It's Ok, I'm sure he'll make a fine priest.

[Anonymous]

OP again. They do offer geometry in the summer. Is geometry an easier class than algebra? Is that why it is offered in the summer? I don’t see other math courses offered in the summer.