What math should i take during highschool?

dutko4 · January 8

Hi.
I'm in 8th grade and I'd say I'm good at math. I'm taking Alg 1 Honors right now and i was wondering what i should do for high school because i would REALLY like being ahead in math in high school.
So, is this good? if u want to make modifications go ahead. i need the advice.
- Summer of 2020, Geometry
- Year of 2020-2021, Alg 2
- Summer of 2021, Trigonometry (so I do good in calc)
- Year of 2021-2022, Pre-Calc
- Year of 2022-2023, AP Calc AB or BC, don’t know yet

momtogirls2 · January 8

does your school require a separate class for trig? It is often included with algebra 2 and/or precalc. At our school what is standard is

8th grade integrated math 1 (same level as algebra 1) - only counts for placement
9th grade integrated math 2 honors
10th grade integrated math 3 honors
11 Precalculus honors
12 either AP Cal AB or AP Cal BC

RichInPitt · January 8

Our school’s honors sequence, which I’ve found to by typical, is:

8th - Algebra
9th - Geometry
10th - Algebra 2
11th - Pre-Calc (includes trig)
12th - Calculus AB/BC with AP Stats as an optional add-on.

I’d say that your plan to take one of those over the summer is fine, but I wouldn’t try racing through the curriculum faster than that. I also question whether a separate Trig class is needed. If it is for some reason, I guess the other one is required. Getting through Calc senior year is a good goal.

My D took courses in other areas of mathematics, rather than racing ahead and running out of classes in the regular program. Number Theory, Probability and Counting, Game Theory, Discrete Math, were all interesting topics that I think will prepare her for the future. The Art of Problem Solving has great courses for advanced math students. You might look there if you’re interested in enhancing your skills.

dutko4 · January 8

@momtogirls2 i don't know if trig is included because I'm going to a new high school. but my sister is a junior at that school so i will ask her.

dutko4 · January 8

@RichInPitt thanks for the advice! i heard that if you REALLY know trig u will get through calc way easier. but I'm not sure if the school im going to for high school has trig included or separate.

skieurope · January 8

dutko4 wrote: »

@RichInPitt thanks for the advice! i heard that if you REALLY know trig u will get through calc way easier. but I'm not sure if the school im going to for high school has trig included or separate.

Almost every high school's honors math track includes trig as part of another course.

Your question is really moot without knowing what the HS math sequence is. Nor should you worry about it now. But there should be no need for any student who starts 9th grade in geometry not to be able to take calc as a senior (or before), without having to take summer courses. There are much better things to do during the summer.

ucbalumnus · January 8

If you are in algebra 1 in 8th grade, the typical US high school math progression will put you in calculus in 12th grade (example in reply #2) without needing any summer courses.

XtremeBlaze777 · January 12

Does your school offer anything for seniors that have completed BC other than AP Stats (such as multivar, matrix algebra, etc)? If so then it might make sense to follow this track.

happy1 · January 12

Work with your guidance counselor to get in a track that will lead you to calculus senior year. My guess is that can be achieved without summer classes.

Groundwork2022 · January 12

Our (honors) track is by no means the norm, but it does allow the honors-level kids to get to Calc with no summer classes:

8th Grade - Algebra
9th Grade - Honors Geometry
10th Grade - Algebra 2/Pre-Calc
11th Grade - Trig/Calc A
12th Grade - Calc BC

Take a look at your school's curicculum guide (should be available online) to see what your track will look like.

one1ofeach · January 12

Every highschool in our area, private or not, gets you to Calc senior year if you are going into geometry freshman year. That’s very standard. Where the schools differentiate is honors or not in smaller schools or larger schools will have five levels of geometry, etc.

Taking classes over the summer might be fun for you (but is it really?) but your school might not even accept those courses anyway so find that out first. If you’re doing summer classes because you think it will look good for colleges hall right there. Colleges are not going to be impressed. They may see you as another one dimensional “I’m trying to look good on a resume” type kid. Consider doing something different and interesting over the summer, just be a kid.

NASA2014 · January 12

Having a good algebra background will help you more than Trig. Yes, Trig does help but if you don't know your algebra then calculus will be hard than you think it is.

dutko4 · January 13

@one1ofeach I'm not doing this so it looks good for college, I'm doing this because I am thinking of pursuing systems engineering or computer science and they both include a LOT of math. I am thinking of taking C++ during the summer instead of geometry so I can start having experience with coding. Is this a good plan?

one1ofeach · January 13

Obviously I don’t know your situation completely but I think learning coding on your own is much more of a positive than trying to skip ahead in math. As I said some highschools won’t even accept summer classes as a course credit and you should get to calc anyway!

If you are interested in cs then learning multiple coding languages is a plus. If you take calculus senior year you are well set up for college math.

dutko4 · January 13

@XtremeBlaze777 I think so. I'm looking at the curriculum and it reads, Alg 1, geometry, Alg 2, Math for college readiness, Advanced topics in mathematics, statistics, pre calc, calc AB and BC.

h8annah · January 13

I agree with everyone above.
9-Geometry
10-Alg2
11-PreCalc
12-AP Calc BC

By taking Alg1 in eighth grade, you already are ahead. Going straight to BC also provides you with two semesters of college math credit, so this is rigorous enough. Most schools will include trig with precalculus or algebra 2; read the course descriptions.

I don't recommend doing geometry over the summer, especially if you are already ahead. Geometry is going to be on the SAT or ACT, and you really want to have a strong background--not a rushed summer course. Also, if you take geometry to accelerate, you don't have an option for senior year other than statistics. I don't think fitting statistics in is a reason to put yourself through summer school, since it's mostly considered an extra course and steers off the advanced math track.

dutko4 · January 13

Thanks a lot. You've made up my mind. For summer I will just learn C++ or Javascript instead of being 2 years ahead on math. Are you sure that statistics is not worth doing summer school for though?

h8annah · January 14

@dutko4 Statistics really isn't. It doesn't build on the math you've done post-Algebra 1 (maybe Algebra 2). It's considered an "easier" AP class, and if you end up majoring in STEM, you're going to do yourself a disservice by taking a year off your math track. And trust me, use your summer to do stuff you love! I almost used the summer to get ahead, and I'm so happy I didn't because I had time to explore my interests and do things I actually wanted to do!

dutko4 · January 14

@h8annah Thanks!

What math should i take during highschool?

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