Reply to Summer Geometry as Rising 8th Grader

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[quote=Anonymous]OP here.

Just wanted to thank everyone for taking the time to respond.  Lots of really great data and experiences here.

We ultimately decided against enrolling for summer geometry.  That's not because I think it is necessarily a bad idea or good idea, but on balance is just probably not the best call for our kid, after considering her views and those of her counselor and the school math department.

I'll summarize our thinking, for those who are curious.

The main advantage we see is the ability to take AP Stats, and potentially other classes as a freshman that have an Algebra II prerequisite.  But kid isn't even sure she'd want to take those classes, as her current interests are very broad.  And as someone mentioned, if we do this we sort of force her hand to take AP Stats so she doesn't have a math-free senior year.  So it isn't a huge plus.

The main negatives I see are (1) loss of 5 weeks of summer of doing something that she, while willing to do, isn't her first choice, and (2) the concern that that she wouldn't retain the information as effectively in a 5 week class than a full year.  The latter point was noted by her school counselor, a math teacher.

Most other factors are neutral.  The math dept doesn't recommend it either way.  Any possible SAT benefit is outweighed by the possible loss of math info.  I don't see any reason to think colleges look favorably or unfavorably on this.  I don't think the difficulty cuts either way:  she hasn't taken a ton of summer math enrichment stuff, but I have no doubt she would do fine given prior placement test scores and grades.  (We transferred from another school where taking Algebra I in 6th wasn't an option.)  At the same time, it isn't as though she didn't feel sufficiently challenged in Algebra I as a 7th grader, so there is no boredom-avoidance factor.

Bottom line, without a burning desire to take AP Stats as a senior or Comp Sci as a freshman, or a personal desire to take geometry in the summer in lieu of other summer activities, it seems like advancement for its own sake.

Obviously not a once-size-fits-all answer, but that's where we landed.  Thanks again for the input and best wishes to all.[/quote]

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