Anonymous
Post 01/16/2026 12:46     Subject: Is 8th grade pre-algebra or algebra?
The “standard” gen-ed track is Pre-Alg in 8th and Algebra in 9th, but it’s very, very normal to take Algebra in 8th. It’s technically an accelerated path but a lot of people do it. The more accelerated path is Algebra in 7th, or even 6th.

But when people refer to “Math 8” or “8th grade math”, it refers to the year before algebra.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2026 12:44     Subject: Is 8th grade pre-algebra or algebra?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here, my kid is in Math 7 (regular, not honors) and has an A (with the help of a tutor, to be honest).


The jump from Math 7 to Algebra is a big one for a lot of kids. The county's policy of saying a C or better in Math 7 is good enough to move on to Algebra is laughable and creating classrooms full of students who are struggling greatly in Algebra and it will spill over to upper level classes.

Their attempt to "fix" this problem is to start having kids skip Math 7 instead and take Pre-Algebra (Math 8) as a 7th grader. The jump will still be big but not as big as the Math 7 to Algebra jump. You and I have kids who were caught in these transition years where this wasn't an option and it's been a challenge for us.

My daughter took regular Math 7 in 7th grade b/c math was a struggle for her and there was no teamed option for Math 7H (basically Pre-Algebra/Math 8 with extensions). When she moved into 8th, we were fully prepared to just have her take Pre-Algebra but the school *finally* got on board with teamed Algebra and was offering it for the first time. Because my daughter had an A in Math 7, she was recommended to move on to Algebra. Let's just say, thank the Lord I know what I'm doing b/c I basically tutor her every night and catch her up on all the skills she missed by skipping over Pre-Algebra. And now we're, unfortunately, on a path where we'll have to figure out advanced math classes for her.

If you're prepared to pay for a tutor to get her through Algebra successfully, then go for it. If you think at all that she'll need a more solid foundation before moving on, then I'd wait and just do Pre-Algebra in 8th. All this changes if for some reason you're at an IB school and need to have Algebra done by 8th.


Algebra in 8th grade has been the standard in FCPS for years, over a decade.


That doesn't mean it is the right choice for every kid. There are plenty of posts about 8th graders struggling with Algebra 1, not honors. Kids need to take a math that makes sense for them and helps them develop a solid base. The push for every kid to take Algebra in 8th grade is going to harm students.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2026 12:40     Subject: Is 8th grade pre-algebra or algebra?
Anonymous wrote:We attended a curriculum night this week where they announced the default for 8th graders is going to be Algebra as long as they met one of the following criteria:
1. Earn a C- or better in Math 7
Or
2. Pass the Math 7 SOL
Or
3. Score above 60% percentile on the MAP


We were told in a "transition to MS" meeting that the decision has been made countywide to skip the Math 7 SOL. 7th graders will take Pre-Algebra, Pre-Algebra Honors or Algebra. The first two groups will take the Math 8 SOL.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2026 12:10     Subject: Is 8th grade pre-algebra or algebra?
My kid is in 8th ( private school in moco) taking pre algebra. She’s on grade level for math not advanced. She will take regular algebra in 9th in mcps.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2026 12:05     Subject: Is 8th grade pre-algebra or algebra?
Anonymous wrote:OP here, my kid is in Math 7 (regular, not honors) and has an A (with the help of a tutor, to be honest).


With the help of a tutor?

Then she is weaker in math.

Maybe algebra in 9th is better then. Talk to her current math teacher.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2026 12:04     Subject: Is 8th grade pre-algebra or algebra?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here, my kid is in Math 7 (regular, not honors) and has an A (with the help of a tutor, to be honest).


The jump from Math 7 to Algebra is a big one for a lot of kids. The county's policy of saying a C or better in Math 7 is good enough to move on to Algebra is laughable and creating classrooms full of students who are struggling greatly in Algebra and it will spill over to upper level classes.

Their attempt to "fix" this problem is to start having kids skip Math 7 instead and take Pre-Algebra (Math 8) as a 7th grader. The jump will still be big but not as big as the Math 7 to Algebra jump. You and I have kids who were caught in these transition years where this wasn't an option and it's been a challenge for us.

My daughter took regular Math 7 in 7th grade b/c math was a struggle for her and there was no teamed option for Math 7H (basically Pre-Algebra/Math 8 with extensions). When she moved into 8th, we were fully prepared to just have her take Pre-Algebra but the school *finally* got on board with teamed Algebra and was offering it for the first time. Because my daughter had an A in Math 7, she was recommended to move on to Algebra. Let's just say, thank the Lord I know what I'm doing b/c I basically tutor her every night and catch her up on all the skills she missed by skipping over Pre-Algebra. And now we're, unfortunately, on a path where we'll have to figure out advanced math classes for her.

If you're prepared to pay for a tutor to get her through Algebra successfully, then go for it. If you think at all that she'll need a more solid foundation before moving on, then I'd wait and just do Pre-Algebra in 8th. All this changes if for some reason you're at an IB school and need to have Algebra done by 8th.


Algebra in 8th grade has been the standard in FCPS for years, over a decade.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2026 12:04     Subject: Is 8th grade pre-algebra or algebra?
Anonymous wrote:Gen Ed? Fcps is pushing everyone to take algebra by 8th grade, but I think some take it in 9th.


I thought that has been the case all along, that most students take algebra in 8th, with the struggling and weaker math students taking it in 9th.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2026 11:26     Subject: Is 8th grade pre-algebra or algebra?
Anonymous wrote:OP here, my kid is in Math 7 (regular, not honors) and has an A (with the help of a tutor, to be honest).


The jump from Math 7 to Algebra is a big one for a lot of kids. The county's policy of saying a C or better in Math 7 is good enough to move on to Algebra is laughable and creating classrooms full of students who are struggling greatly in Algebra and it will spill over to upper level classes.

Their attempt to "fix" this problem is to start having kids skip Math 7 instead and take Pre-Algebra (Math 8) as a 7th grader. The jump will still be big but not as big as the Math 7 to Algebra jump. You and I have kids who were caught in these transition years where this wasn't an option and it's been a challenge for us.

My daughter took regular Math 7 in 7th grade b/c math was a struggle for her and there was no teamed option for Math 7H (basically Pre-Algebra/Math 8 with extensions). When she moved into 8th, we were fully prepared to just have her take Pre-Algebra but the school *finally* got on board with teamed Algebra and was offering it for the first time. Because my daughter had an A in Math 7, she was recommended to move on to Algebra. Let's just say, thank the Lord I know what I'm doing b/c I basically tutor her every night and catch her up on all the skills she missed by skipping over Pre-Algebra. And now we're, unfortunately, on a path where we'll have to figure out advanced math classes for her.

If you're prepared to pay for a tutor to get her through Algebra successfully, then go for it. If you think at all that she'll need a more solid foundation before moving on, then I'd wait and just do Pre-Algebra in 8th. All this changes if for some reason you're at an IB school and need to have Algebra done by 8th.
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2026 22:55     Subject: Is 8th grade pre-algebra or algebra?
OP here, my kid is in Math 7 (regular, not honors) and has an A (with the help of a tutor, to be honest).
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2026 21:33     Subject: Is 8th grade pre-algebra or algebra?
Mine all took Algebra in 9th grade. We had no desire to push them into it earlier. It's up to you/your child to make the decision.
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2026 21:14     Subject: Re:Is 8th grade pre-algebra or algebra?
Probably 80% of the kids in FCPS will have taken Algebra by the end of 8th grade. Very few kids take it in 9th grade now.
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2026 21:08     Subject: Is 8th grade pre-algebra or algebra?
We attended a curriculum night this week where they announced the default for 8th graders is going to be Algebra as long as they met one of the following criteria:
1. Earn a C- or better in Math 7
Or
2. Pass the Math 7 SOL
Or
3. Score above 60% percentile on the MAP
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2026 20:13     Subject: Is 8th grade pre-algebra or algebra?
^ me again. There is no normal. Some take algebra in 6th grade.
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2026 20:12     Subject: Is 8th grade pre-algebra or algebra?
Gen Ed? Fcps is pushing everyone to take algebra by 8th grade, but I think some take it in 9th.
Anonymous
Post 01/15/2026 19:24     Subject: Is 8th grade pre-algebra or algebra?
What is the normal path?