Anonymous
01/15/2026 17:33
Subject: TJ parents with algebra 2 freshmen help!
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Our counselor told us physics 1 is no longer an option in sophomore yearl. Is this wrong?
PP had it correct. "Starting this year's class, thanks to the new principal, anyone can take physics in sophomore year alongside precalc or higher math. The older path of taking Physics C alongside Calc BC in junior (now allowed in sophomore year) is still available." Please see the flowchart, HN Chem is a prerequisite for Physics 1.
Yes so unless it's available this summer, you had to have arranged to take it this past year. Even if it's available this summer, my child would rather take PE over the summer, so I think he'll stick with BC + AP Physics C junior year. He's in A2 now. Honestly it's very difficult to really accelerate your child to have had A2 in 8th grade. My oldest child did but this kid didn't because of moving. It's fine. This is still really advanced. Many students across the US don't have in-person access to calculus at all, our kids are taking it junior year.
Just a warning that AP Physics CEM alongside Calc BC was indeed very hard. DD did not have trouble with any of the math classes at TJ but did need a tutor for the physics CEM class. Part of the challenge was that so few kids were taking it as their first physics class so that the teacher tended to teach to the bulk of the class that had already taken Physics 1.
Where did you find a tutor? Any recommendations? We’re dealing with precisely this situation now
Anonymous
01/14/2026 16:50
Subject: TJ parents with algebra 2 freshmen help!
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Our counselor told us physics 1 is no longer an option in sophomore yearl. Is this wrong?
PP had it correct. "Starting this year's class, thanks to the new principal, anyone can take physics in sophomore year alongside precalc or higher math. The older path of taking Physics C alongside Calc BC in junior (now allowed in sophomore year) is still available." Please see the flowchart, HN Chem is a prerequisite for Physics 1.
Yes so unless it's available this summer, you had to have arranged to take it this past year. Even if it's available this summer, my child would rather take PE over the summer, so I think he'll stick with BC + AP Physics C junior year. He's in A2 now. Honestly it's very difficult to really accelerate your child to have had A2 in 8th grade. My oldest child did but this kid didn't because of moving. It's fine. This is still really advanced. Many students across the US don't have in-person access to calculus at all, our kids are taking it junior year.
Just a warning that AP Physics CEM alongside Calc BC was indeed very hard. DD did not have trouble with any of the math classes at TJ but did need a tutor for the physics CEM class. Part of the challenge was that so few kids were taking it as their first physics class so that the teacher tended to teach to the bulk of the class that had already taken Physics 1.
Anonymous
01/14/2026 16:08
Subject: TJ parents with algebra 2 freshmen help!
Anonymous wrote:Does this end up. Hurting college outcomes for kids who start with algebra 2 in tj as freshmen?
No, Algebra II is what the majority of TJ students take in 9th grade. Honors Biology/Honors Chemistry/AP Precalculus BC (or AP Calculus BC) is a tough workload for 9th graders.
Geometry in 9th grade will put students at a disadvantage because they will only make it to AP Calculus by 12th grade and won’t be able to take any of the more advanced math classes. Students taking Geometry in 9th grade also won’t be able to take AP Chemistry/AP Physics and most other science lab classes until 11th grade.
Anonymous
01/14/2026 15:33
Subject: TJ parents with algebra 2 freshmen help!
Anonymous wrote:Does this end up. Hurting college outcomes for kids who start with algebra 2 in tj as freshmen?
It shouldn't.