Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep reading posts about when to take algebra ana I’m wonder what the typical path is for a kid who is good at math but not a genius in dcps. My 4th grader tests high in math and it comes easily to her. What do I need to think about in 5th grade and middle school so that she’s set up for calculus and high level math in high school?

Basically you want her at a middle school that offers Algebra I for 7th and/or 8th graders. Ideally, Geometry in 8th grade as well. If that's not offered, she can still catch up to the higher pathway by taking two math classes at the same time in high school.

This. It's a very clarifying question (will my kid get to Geometry in 8th grade). Some DCPS schools offer it (Deal, Hardy, Stuart Hobson) and BASIS and Latin. Maybe others do as well. I really wish there was a clear place to see who does and doesn't!

DCI offers algebra 1 for 7th graders (7th grade math for 6th graders) and really high achievers can test into integrated math (9th grade math- algebra 2).

Anonymous wrote:I’ve heard Wells has an option for geometry in 8th as well.

But really, it’s fine to do Algebra I in 8th. It’s more important to master the foundational skills than to fly through the courses. And Algebra I in 8th puts a kid on track to go directly from high school calculus into college calculus without having to take a year off from the calculus sequence or do dual enrollment.

Yes, Wells does have an option for Geometry in 8th. There was even a student who took Geometry in 7th, Algebra II and Pre-Calc in 8th (because of Coolidge's 4x4 schedule) and started high school at AP Calc (not at Coolidge).

Anonymous wrote:One thing about taking Algebra in 7th grade is it allows students to complete calculus by 11th grade and then take calc-based physics in 12th, right? If a kid takes Algebra in 8th they would only be able to get through algebra-based Physics in high school.

You can take them concurrently in DCPS. I have a junior taking calc and mechanics right now, and my other kid took calc and E&M in 12th.

Anonymous wrote:I’ve heard Wells has an option for geometry in 8th as well.

But really, it’s fine to do Algebra I in 8th. It’s more important to master the foundational skills than to fly through the courses. And Algebra I in 8th puts a kid on track to go directly from high school calculus into college calculus without having to take a year off from the calculus sequence or do dual enrollment.

Agreed that it would be good to have a list of which schools offered what. To add to the Deal, Hardy, SH list, Eliot Hine also offers algebra in 7th or 8th, and geometry in 8th for those who do algebra in 7th.
Regarding this prior post, I know things have changed since we were in school, but when I finished calculus before senior year I took AP Statistics the year before I went to college, which I enjoyed. Not sure if that is offered in DC schools, but for kids that like math, it is nice to have time to take additional courses.
That being said, rushing through classes just to check a box is not good for anybody, and I think doing algebra by 8th is perfectly fine.

Anonymous wrote:One thing about taking Algebra in 7th grade is it allows students to complete calculus by 11th grade and then take calc-based physics in 12th, right? If a kid takes Algebra in 8th they would only be able to get through algebra-based Physics in high school.

You can take calc and calc-based physics concurrently. I did. And so do most first-year engineering students.

One thing about taking Algebra in 7th grade is it allows students to complete calculus by 11th grade and then take calc-based physics in 12th, right? If a kid takes Algebra in 8th they would only be able to get through algebra-based Physics in high school.

Anonymous wrote:algebra in 7th and geometry in 8th is ideal. you need algebra by 8th before hs at a minimum. few kids need more acceleration than that.

Yes, Alegebra in 7th ideally. But it doesn't need to be a dealbreaker in your choice of middle school. Some schools have kids take Algebra I and Geometry both in 8th. And if your school only does Algebra I, your kid can catch up in 9th and 10th.

algebra in 7th and geometry in 8th is ideal. you need algebra by 8th before hs at a minimum. few kids need more acceleration than that.

Anonymous wrote:I’ve heard Wells has an option for geometry in 8th as well.

But really, it’s fine to do Algebra I in 8th. It’s more important to master the foundational skills than to fly through the courses. And Algebra I in 8th puts a kid on track to go directly from high school calculus into college calculus without having to take a year off from the calculus sequence or do dual enrollment.

+1

This is a great point especially for a kid who wants to major in a STEM field.

I’ve heard Wells has an option for geometry in 8th as well.

But really, it’s fine to do Algebra I in 8th. It’s more important to master the foundational skills than to fly through the courses. And Algebra I in 8th puts a kid on track to go directly from high school calculus into college calculus without having to take a year off from the calculus sequence or do dual enrollment.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep reading posts about when to take algebra ana I’m wonder what the typical path is for a kid who is good at math but not a genius in dcps. My 4th grader tests high in math and it comes easily to her. What do I need to think about in 5th grade and middle school so that she’s set up for calculus and high level math in high school?

Basically you want her at a middle school that offers Algebra I for 7th and/or 8th graders. Ideally, Geometry in 8th grade as well. If that's not offered, she can still catch up to the higher pathway by taking two math classes at the same time in high school.

This. It's a very clarifying question (will my kid get to Geometry in 8th grade). Some DCPS schools offer it (Deal, Hardy, Stuart Hobson) and BASIS and Latin. Maybe others do as well. I really wish there was a clear place to see who does and doesn't!

Anonymous wrote:The path is Algebra I in 8th, Geometry in 9th, Algebra II in 10th (maybe some trig too) and then 11th grade precalc and probability and statistics, and then senior year calc AB and BC.

I would check out the Jackson Reed website for the many different paths available.

It can also be Algebra I in 7th and Geometry in 8th (Hardy).

Anonymous wrote:I keep reading posts about when to take algebra ana I’m wonder what the typical path is for a kid who is good at math but not a genius in dcps. My 4th grader tests high in math and it comes easily to her. What do I need to think about in 5th grade and middle school so that she’s set up for calculus and high level math in high school?

Basically you want her at a middle school that offers Algebra I for 7th and/or 8th graders. Ideally, Geometry in 8th grade as well. If that's not offered, she can still catch up to the higher pathway by taking two math classes at the same time in high school.

The path is Algebra I in 8th, Geometry in 9th, Algebra II in 10th (maybe some trig too) and then 11th grade precalc and probability and statistics, and then senior year calc AB and BC.

I would check out the Jackson Reed website for the many different paths available.

I keep reading posts about when to take algebra ana I’m wonder what the typical path is for a kid who is good at math but not a genius in dcps. My 4th grader tests high in math and it comes easily to her. What do I need to think about in 5th grade and middle school so that she’s set up for calculus and high level math in high school?