If you think your child might be interested in TJ and they qualify for Algebra Honors in 7th, they should take Algebra Honors. If your child is not interested in TJ then choose the class that fits best for your child. A good number of kids take Algebra Honors, no clue what the percentage is, but not all. If your son enjoys math and is strong in that subject let him try it. If it looks like he is struggling, you can look at dropping to Math 7 Honors. Your son will be fine if he takes Algebra in 8th grade. Your son will have plenty of excellent colleges to choose from.

Anonymous wrote:This is such a weird year. Our school didn't teach any new material after March last year. My dd's 6th grade AAP is well behind where they should be.

This is also what is giving me pause.

If you think your child is in the top half of AAP math, and if your child qualifies for Algebra, let your child try the Algebra Honors. Your child can retake it in 8th grade or drop down after first quarter if it's too hard in 7th. It's much easier to drop down than it is to jump up in math.

Anonymous wrote:This is such a weird year. Our school didn't teach any new material after March last year. My dd's 6th grade AAP is well behind where they should be.

Same situation here. We would have gone ahead with algebra in a parallel non covid universe but I think there are huge holes in what they’ve covered.

I believe I've read on this board that, ignoring a small number of mathematically very gifted students, the AAP split is in the neighborhood of fifty-fifty between Algebra in 7th and Algebra in 8th.

Even among the 7th graders who qualify, a fair number seem to have a rough time. I suggest not allowing him to take the class unless he does *really* well on the IAAT/SOL, not just squeak through.

Relatively few admitted students will have completed math > calculus during high school outside of exceedingly competitive engineering schools - MIT, Olin, Webb, etc.

This is such a weird year. Our school didn't teach any new material after March last year. My dd's 6th grade AAP is well behind where they should be.

Both of my kids are AAP and took Algebra in 7th grade and did great. However, most of the AAP pool from their feeder elementary didn’t take it until 8th grade. So it is not unusual to pick either. If math is your child’s strong suit then there is no harm in trying it...you can always move him down to math 7 honors if it is too much or expunge his final grade from his high school transcripts if you aren’t happy with it. Whatever choice you make for your child will be the right one!

it isn't about readiness in 7th. It is thinking towards their junior year being calculus and then senior year being multivariable calc. I know some will say you can do stats instead, but that would be seen as taking a less rigorous path.

A lot of pride from 7th grade parents with their kids in Alg. I don't get it. Mine qualified and didn't take it. DC will be fine and still hit Calc. in sr. year.

I say if your kid LOVES math and will continue to love it thru 12 and wants to do it, great. But it is committing to it for the long haul. not just 7th.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your kid is in APP, they should be doing algebra in 6/7...

OP here - Oh yes, I didn’t specify since it is the AAP board. DS is in Level 4 AAP now.

Are you saying that it’s rare for an AAP kid to take Algebra in 8th?

Not sure what is normal but mine is taking algebra in 6th.

That’s not really offered at most centers.

What percentage of kids in aap take algebra vs math 7?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your kid is in APP, they should be doing algebra in 6/7...

OP here - Oh yes, I didn’t specify since it is the AAP board. DS is in Level 4 AAP now.

Are you saying that it’s rare for an AAP kid to take Algebra in 8th?

Not sure what is normal but mine is taking algebra in 6th.

Anonymous wrote:If your kid is in APP, they should be doing algebra in 6/7...

OP here - Oh yes, I didn’t specify since it is the AAP board. DS is in Level 4 AAP now.

Are you saying that it’s rare for an AAP kid to take Algebra in 8th?

My 7th grader is taking algebra 1 and he's doing great. He has adhd and he's disorganized but it doesn't seem to impact his math grades.

If your kid is in APP, they should be doing algebra in 6/7...

I know there are some assessments to take, but I anticipate DS will make the cutoffs to take algebra in 7th grade. I’m concerned about him taking a high school course for credit so early. He is bright but doesn’t have good study skills, isn’t that organized, etc. With that said, math comes easy to him and he does well.

Does anyone know what % of AAP kids take algebra in 7th grade?

And have you or do you know anyone whose child placed into algebra but their kids held them to math 7 honors, to take algebra in 8th grade?

When I grew up, we had a literal handful of kids who took algebra in 7th grade. They stuck out as being extremely smart. It was not offered as an option to most students. Honors students took it in 8th grade. That put them on track to take AP calculus in 12th grade. Is that not enough anymore? Are you at a disadvantage if you are only taking calculus in 12th grade? What about if you want to go into engineering? Is this shift to math acceleration just a local issue or one happening everywhere?

I don’t want to hold my kid back but it has been a crazy year and I don’t want to add stress with a course that goes on high school transcripts. TIA.