<p>I took Algebra 1 as a freshman, and took geometry that following summer. As long as you’re able to double up or take a summer class to get ahead in math, it doesn’t look bad. Staying back a year in math and taking Algebra 1 as a freshman was probably one of the smartest things I did in HS, since it gave me a stronger foundation in math.</p>
<p>jussayin - who cares what you took in freshman year, because this guy obviously can’t take pre-calc.</p>
<p>and to whoever said that average people take alg. I in 9th - average MATH students take alg. I freshman year; not average students in general. the pure ignorance in that comment is insulting. fyi, my brother took alg. I in 9th grade, and is attending Yale. he also got acceptance letters from Dartmouth, Cornell, and Princeton. so there you go, you moron.</p>
<p>Algebra I is totally fine in 9th grade, completely average math. I took it in 7th grade, but my class only had 24 kids out of 300 kids in the grade. At least you’re taking it in 9th grade. My friend has juniors in her class that had to take foundations of algebra twice. But I do recommend doubling up next year. It’s not that bad, especially because Algebra II and Geometry don’t really mix.</p>
<p>Is dual enrollment at a local college an option for you? What is your planned major in college? My daughter took College Algebra and Statistics her junior year of high school. This satisfied requirements for both high school and college. She is graduating from high school early - next week and college math credit as if she took AP Calc and AP Stat. She’s not “gifted” in math, but she made A’s in both. Each Semester of a college class counts for a whole year of high school so it has been a big win for her. She worried as a Freshman about being behind in Math too, but she got 4 of her core college classes out of the way with a 4.0. She will finish off almost all of the rest of the core classes that will transfer this year. My son, on the other hand, was on the advanced math track and tested well on the entrance exams. He found Calculus to be a challenge and had to work his tail off to make a B. So, if you are a math major, you might have to take an extra math or two, but I can tell you you’ll typically benefit from starting with College Algebra if you aren’t naturally a math whiz. Whatever you decide, as long as you have 4 years of Math, you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>I had a friend who took Alg 1 as a freshman. He dropped out and started selling crack. A few weeks ago he stopped by to say hi. He told me he was leaving for Pakistan to join Al-Qaeda. I haven’t seen him since.</p>
<p>You’re on a bad bad road man.</p>
<p>Having Algebra I isn’t shameful. I took it as a Freshman. It won’t hurt you. I felt the same way seeing other Freshmen taking Algebra II and Pre-Calculus. But you have to realize that you have your own learning strengths and weaknesses. Some people need more help in math and some people need more help in history and so on. People need to lay off. Not every one is super smart. When I see Freshmen taking Pre-Algebra. I offer them some tutoring. We’ll sit in the library and crank some practice problems. You’re good, you’re on the right track, you’ll get far, and don’t let people get to you. :)</p>
<p>I need help too!!! I am a freshman in high school and I want to get into a really great school such as Duke University or something else along those lines. I have straight A’s, lots of community service hours, no demerits, am in leadership club club, and I do dance an play the piano. I am in all honors but I have a similar problem. Even though I am in an honors math, it is only Algebra and I’ve been stressing out a or lately because what if after all of my hard work, the colleges that I want to go to wont accept me because I won’t be in Ap calc in 12th grade. My school has the option to double up on math next year but that would be to much and I don’t want to go mad. Please help</p>
<p>“So I was doing Geometry but my teacher was really mean and didn’t teach well”</p>
<p>Taking Algebra I freshman year (or at ANY point in your life) isn’t shameful, but using that as excuse for doing badly kind of is.</p>