Hello, I’m currently in 9th grade just transferred into a new school and I was put in an algebra 1 class.my current coarse would be algebra 1> geometry >algebra 2 >fundamentals of mathematics ( which I’ll assume is pre calculus) so even in my senior year I won’t be able to do AP calculus . Although I strongly and whole heartedly want to challenge myself and do the coarse . My school has a freshman class doing geometry and accelerated algebra and geometry but I’ve seen a girl in my class attempt to join but they didn’t budge and she has a straight A in algebra 1 .Maybe it has to do with the fact in year 8 of my previous school I didn’t do Algebra 1 but it wasn’t in the curriculum anyways . I’m stuck and not sure what to do should I take geometry over the summer and take algebra 2 in grade 10 ? Or should I take pre calc in my junior year over the summer and straight to AP calculus ? .i want to join a competitive college abroad my current grade on algebra for the 1st semester was a b- but for the second im trying to up my game my grade is a perfect 100 as of semester 2 and I just finished a quiz and i studied for it and I’m confident I got a full mark . I just attended the school I’m not certain if you can take 2 maths in a year or if you’re able to take a coarse over the summer it’s a private school so it really depends . I’f anyone can reply with some advice I’d really approached it thank you
You would be better off doubling up on math next year (if possible) if you want to get to calculus than trying to cram a year’s worth of content into the summer. Math builds upon itself so it is important that you have a strong understanding of each concept before moving along to the next thing and that isn’t always possible if you take a summer class.
See if you can take Algebra2 and geometry together next year.
This will likely depend on your ability to get an A, probably 95+, in Algebra1.
You can’t “rush” math, you have to master each concept before going forward because it’s cumulative and sequential.
I agree that if your goal is a college abroad (assuming you have family there) Grade12 calculus will be necessary.
Some people are good at math, some people are not. I couldn’t do it in HS, but S24 did it no problem.
If your HS is resistant for you to change your pathway, you can always try dual enrollment in a CC. Take the classes in parallel.
College Algebra is essentially Algebra 2 in HS. Trig is a separate class. After finishing the two, you have fulfilled the req for Calculus. Cal 1 and Cal 2 equates to AP Cal BC. At least in our CC curriculum, pre-cal and algbra2/trig is the same class, just taken over one semester instead of 2.
Try the concepts on Kahn Academy to see if you are ready to make the jump.
S24 took Pre Cal in the summer before Senior year and then AP Cal AB in senior year. He got A in Pre Cal and B in Calculus so far. But I would recommend you take Geometry in the summer before sophomore year. This way you can take Pre Cal in junior year, because Pre Cal will help you prepare for SAT. S24 score 780 in SAT Math right after taking Pre Cal
Very common - you just need to find out from your school what Summer geometry programs would be accepted and then block out your summer to get it done. My son’s public high school district offered a summer class for free that he took and which went straight onto his transcript. My niece and nephew at other schools checked with their counselors and one took a summer community college course that was considered equivalent and the other took an online BYU course that was deemed acceptable for their school.
Please please…get a strong foundation in math. That is very important. It’s actually more important than taking calculus in high school.
There are a LOT of colleges where you could be accepted with precalc as your highest level of math.
I know you want to go to college abroad. But try to think broadly about your college prospects. You are in 9th grade. Things could change. Try to consider a lot of options.
Every college student in this country hasn’t taken high school calculus. Some never will take calculus.
^ this raises a good question:
Why do you want to take calculus?
The path you’re on should be
Algebra2->Precalculus.
Precalculus senior year is fine, depending on what you want to do next.
But stopping at Algebra2 and only taking Fundamentals of Math senior year would be a bigger problem. Can students in Algebra2 junior year take Precalculus senior year?
Recommend taking geometry over the summer. There are many online options, but you need to coordinate with your school. Geometry is the best to take online because it is not as important in algebra 2 and beyond. You really need to have your algebra skills down for calc.
I would ask your current school how to achieve this goal…
I know some schools let you do geometry and Algebra II simultaneously… Others let you do a class over summer (with permission) others allow both, other allow neither. There well may be departmental chair permission needed in any of the cases…
I agree with this. A B- in algebra 1 as a 9th grader is a sign that you are in the right place. If you were to try to take a course during the summer, it should be geometry this summer. Algebra 2 and Pre-Calc are way too important for a student to rush through, especially if they are an average math student.
