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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]DS is in fifth grade and in Advanced Math in FCPS. He has been going to RSM for enrichment since third grade. We had a chance to listen to the math classes and realized that he was not going to be challenged in math. We asked if he wanted to take an extra class that would challenge him and he said yes. He has continue with the class since then. He also participates in a math competition class and enjoys math competitions.

We have not talked to his school about advancing him in math at school. We remind him that the work at school is important foundational work and that the extra practice is good for him because it will help him remember proper steps and procedures. He will need to be fluent and fast with these skills as he gets older so the extra practice is good for him.

He is one of the youngest kids in his grade level right now. We don't think that it is a good idea to try and advance him faster for social reasons. I don't think that he needs to be taking Algebra in 6th grade so badly that he ends up in a virtual class or trying to work out going to the MS for a class in the morning and then returning to his ES. The acceleration is not worth his getting up an hour earlier to go to a different school to take a class. [/quote]

Here's the long and short of it.  If your child takes Algebra in 7th, some doors are being closed to him.  But, they may already have been closed.  If he has the natural aptitude to qualify for National Mathcounts, he would be at a huge disadvantage if he were taking Algebra in 7th or even 6th.  But, only the top 4 kids in each state qualify.  Unless your kid is one of those very top kids, Algebra timing is irrelevant.  FWIW, my kid did participate in Mathcounts nationals, and he also took Algebra I in 4th grade.  That is not at all atypical for kids at that level.

Likewise, it would be nearly impossible for a kid to progress through the USAJMO/AMO -&gt; MOP -&gt; IMO chain without being highly accelerated.  They simply wouldn't know enough math compared to the kids who are accelerated.  This would only potentially affect the top 50 or so kids in each grade level across the entire country.

If your kid isn't a complete outlier, the only benefit to taking Algebra earlier is moderately better placement in math contests at somewhat earlier ages.  It won't ultimately matter that much for anything else.  [/quote]

Trying to understand...

OP here.  So the only benefit for putting a 6th grader in algebra I would be that they could compete in math competitions? While they sound fun, that wouldn’t be our ultimate goal.  I’m just trying to get the appropriate level class based on his ability.  His school is 6-8th grade.  The “in house” honors class for 8th grade is Algebra I, so he could potentially take it since he is in the same building.  But to my knowledge, no 6th graders do this and I think the counselors will not be agreeable to it. When he is in 7-8th grade he will have access to other programs in the district (but outside of his school) that are even more accelerated, but they don’t offer those to the 6th graders.  [/quote]

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