Depends folks. Universities want to see a kid progress normally. If that means that he is in calculus during his senior year then so-be-it. If the kid wants to attend MIT, then he might want to figure a strategy for getting into the top math and science class by his senior year. If he want UMD, then I don't think Calculus is required but Algebra II is required.

Anonymous wrote:DONT DO IT!! Math is an important and cumulative subject which takes time to assimilate. NEVER rush forward in math. You will regret it later. -- math teacher.

While in a perfect world I might agree with this, the sad fact is that colleges now want to see Calculus AND ABOVE on your transcript, which means finishing Calculus by the end of the Junior year. Which means accelerating Algebra I, II, Geometry, Pre-Calc, and Calculus in order to squish it all in before you apply to college.

The first thing DD was asked when touring colleges as a junior was "have you finished calculus?". Ideally, colleges also want to see Statistics, Linear Equations, Honors and AP math, Computer Math, etc. to demonstrate rigor.

^^ I had the opposite experience with geometry - as did my husband. I found geometry to be much more easy for me to excel in because it was a visual learning process. Hands on, visual learning. My kids loved it too. But the more advanced theoretical math done all in the head . . . not so well. I think every child is different. Also, I happened to have a fabulous geometry teacher. For the person who asked where you can take pre-calc or calculus during the summer, NOVA offers it - be sure, however, to talk at length with your high school before you sign up to make sure they will accept the credits for transfer.

Anonymous wrote:

If he's not a "math student," Geometry may turn out to be easier for him. I wouldn't be as concerned about that. My bigger concern would be the expectation that Calculus is necessary. Where you think it is required to get into a good school is beyond me. It depends on the type of program he would be looking into. If he struggles with math to some degree, there will be a lot of extra help required to get him a good grade in Calculus. He is in 9th grade and anxious about 4 years from now? Poor kid.

This is so sad. The idea that calculus is not something that should be achievable from anyone of average intelligence with the proper support and work is sad. I think most people in this world are capable of learning calculus in high school or early on in college; in the scheme of things it's pretty basic math. Oh and BTW I struggled in pre-calc, so I'm not one of those natural math whizzes.

I never sad it wasn't achievable. What I said was he would need a lot of extra help if it was the case that it doesn't come naturally to him. I am all for taking on challenges and working hard and getting support to accomplish something that may not necessarily come easily/naturally to you. That's great. That is not the impression I got about this. It seemed like it was more of an anxious "I have to take this class...how am I going to start planning my future based on the classes I need to take to get there?" You don't always have to stick to your strengths, but taking on goals that are part of some assumed "plan" for the future (at 14 or 15 years old!) rather than really reflecting on what your PERSONAL feelings are in terms of "achievement" or accomplishment is sad.

If he's not a "math student," Geometry may turn out to be easier for him. I wouldn't be as concerned about that. My bigger concern would be the expectation that Calculus is necessary. Where you think it is required to get into a good school is beyond me. It depends on the type of program he would be looking into. If he struggles with math to some degree, there will be a lot of extra help required to get him a good grade in Calculus. He is in 9th grade and anxious about 4 years from now? Poor kid.

This is so sad. The idea that calculus is not something that should be achievable from anyone of average intelligence with the proper support and work is sad. I think most people in this world are capable of learning calculus in high school or early on in college; in the scheme of things it's pretty basic math. Oh and BTW I struggled in pre-calc, so I'm not one of those natural math whizzes.

I did this when I was age. Must have been summer between 9th and 10th grade. I admit the only reason I did was because my BFF was doing it and I knew I was moving away at the end of the summer and we were bound and determined to spend every minute together. It was a good decision because it meant I'd get to take Calculus in HS. I'm not naturally strong in math so I agree if you're going to do a math class in the summer, geometry is the one to do.

A lot of kids, even those who did well in Algebra, have some problems with Geometry. I would not have let my kids take any math class during the summer, regardless.

DONT DO IT!! Math is an important and cumulative subject which takes time to assimilate. NEVER rush forward in math. You will regret it later. -- math teacher.

Where can DCPS students on accelerated track take pre-calc over the summer?

I did that exact thing in HS. I went to a summer program at a NE boarding school and took geometry to jump ahead in math. It was a good move academically and I had a great time to boot!

If he's not a "math student," Geometry may turn out to be easier for him. I wouldn't be as concerned about that. My bigger concern would be the expectation that Calculus is necessary. Where you think it is required to get into a good school is beyond me. It depends on the type of program he would be looking into. If he struggles with math to some degree, there will be a lot of extra help required to get him a good grade in Calculus. He is in 9th grade and anxious about 4 years from now? Poor kid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Forgive my ignorance, but here would you take such a summer class - at your local HS, at CC, or some other HS where it is offered?

Our DC took a summer course in Algebra II at Commonwealth Academy last year - between 9th and 10th grade so he could enter geometry as a sophomore. I would never have guessed that DC could sit and willingly do Algebra II from 9-2, and then have homework, for six weeks - but it worked! I don't think I could have done it at the same age. DC knuckled down, did the work and got an A. I was very impressed. There were three kids in the class.

So no problems getting MCPS credit for that?

Anonymous wrote:Forgive my ignorance, but here would you take such a summer class - at your local HS, at CC, or some other HS where it is offered?

Our DC took a summer course in Algebra II at Commonwealth Academy last year - between 9th and 10th grade so he could enter geometry as a sophomore. I would never have guessed that DC could sit and willingly do Algebra II from 9-2, and then have homework, for six weeks - but it worked! I don't think I could have done it at the same age. DC knuckled down, did the work and got an A. I was very impressed. There were three kids in the class.

He might change his mind before the summer. If he still wants to, let him.

If he wants to do it, I would let him.

I am not a math teacher, but I would think that the reason it is good to take geometry in summer school is that it isn't as big a part of the sequence of math progression. So, it might be a worse idea to take algebra one or algebra two, because algebra is more important for the following classes. Where geometry is sort of off on its own.