So I am just starting my freshman year and I am really academically motivated. Last year I was learning Algebra 2, Geometry, and towards the end of the school year Trigonometry. We didn’t go over the basic math that you needed to be able to get into classes for Algebra 2 or Geometry very much, just reviewed it. I’m currently doing Pre-AP algebra. I already tried talking to my counselor about it and she said she doubted I would be able to move up. She also said that I had to be recommended by my core math teacher in order to even try, but she doesn’t really seem to like me.
I would recommend against jumping ahead in math. There might be two reasons that I say this.
One issue is that mathematics is an area where what you learn builds on itself for years, and years, and years. What you are learning now depends upon what you learned last year. What you will be learning next year will depend a lot on what you are learning now, and what you learned last year. It pays to learn each step very well.
One BIG example of this is calculus. Calculus depends a LOT on its prerequisites. I have consistently heard that any student who is weak on ANY of the prerequisites for calculus find it to be tough. However, students who are very solid on all of the prerequisites for calculus can find it to be quite straightforward. This was my experience. I did not take calculus until I was a freshman in university (at MIT). However, waiting until university to take calculus did not stop me from graduating from MIT as a math major. Also, I ended up using multi-variate calculus quite a lot both in future classes and later on the job.
Also, there really is only one type of student who can possibly jump ahead in math. These are students who are very strong at math. However these are specifically the same students who are very likely to be using math a great deal in future classes and quite likely on the job.
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So even if I excelled at Geometry and Algebra 2, as well as what little Trig we did I should just stick Pre-AP for now then, just to confirm.
Stick with the regular order. You needn’t rush. If you get to Calc Ab you will be fine for any college in America.
You know who ends up struggling ? Those who jump ahead without all the basics. Math builds.
Life is a sprint. Not a marathon. If you love math, maybe you’ll make it your life work.
So get that good base. Too many jump ahead and then stumble.
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Something is not adding up. If you excelled at geometry and algebra 2, you wouldn’t be placed in algebra 1.
Regardless, if you know everything there is to know about algebra 1 or beyond, then ask for a challenge exam from the math department to prove it. But don’t try to skip ahead just for the sake of it if you don’t have x solid foundation
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Thanks for the advice, it made me re-realize that I’m good at the more advanced stuff and not the basics, but just how important the basics are yet.
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skieurope: I understand where you are coming from, yet to give you and idea, I haven’t done Pre-algebra in a while so it would be more correct to say that I just forgot how to do it, during my 8th grade year we barely did algebra 1 but a review, which I would believe go to say I don’t have a firm solid foundation, partial. I very much appreciate the advice, especially about doing the challenge exam. I hope you understand that I am a child so I may be difficult about some of the things I say. I also appreciate everyone’s comments I know all of you are helping me so thanks a bunch!
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What is pre-AP algebra?
In what setting? Was this your middle school math class? Did you attend middle school in the same district that you are attending high school? What is the normal trajectory from this middle school into high school math? What math class are your former classmates taking this year? Are you the only one not being allowed to advance?
What does this mean? You didn’t basic math, but were doing trig?
Why do you think that?
This is a great attitude. Math can be a lifelong passion but I agree with others that will work best by making sure you have an extremely solid foundation through the entire core sequence.
That doesn’t mean you will never leap ahead to some topics as interests and abilities allow. But all that can be done in parallel to carefully building that foundation.
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worriedmomucb: To answer your questions, firstly Pre-AP algebra is a little more difficult than normal algebra as it relates more to real life scenarios, according to the teacher. I learned at Landmark Academy at Reunion Colorado, the setting that we learned visually, interactively, and experimentally. It was my 8th grade year that I learned algebra 2, Geometry, and Trig. I did attend the same district from middle school as the high school I am attending right now. The trajectory we did was Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 and Trig were partially integrated. About half my former students at my high school advanced. In my school there was advanced math which you could get into by having good test scores and grades. Lastly, as I partially expressed It may be a misinterpretation, she could be going through something right now. I will not say I am the most respectful student but If I had to guess she would think I don’t take her class seriously because she knows the classes I was in the previous 8th grade year. Also I will be going to bed soon, so I may not reply. I thank you for your reaching out to me about your concerns and questions!
I apologize for not acknowledging you sooner Mr. NiceUnparticularMan I was working on the reply to worriedmomucb. I very much appreciate your words they further increase my confidence in the advice I have been given, especially by you since you clearly have had kids who have gone through this before. Thanks again for your time, as said before I will be going to bed soon, so I most likely will not reply. Good Night.
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I think this statement alone is enough to indicate you shouldn’t jump ahead tbh.
Also, whether or not your math teacher likes you should be irrelevant to her assessment of which class you should be placed in.
In our day, it was called Algebra I Honors.
Having mastered grade inflation, schools have now turned to course name inflation.
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If you want to shore up your math skills while having some fun and being challenged, I recommend AoPS. You can probably find their books in your local library. They also have an online community. Their program is good for helping you really understand math, so you won’t find yourself in that situation where you don’t remember how to do things just because you haven’t done them for a while.
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Algebra is a super important class that lots of math builds on, so I definitely wouldn’t skip over Algebra 1 if you don’t have all of the fundamentals mastered. If you really want to move ahead in math I would recommend taking your Algebra 1 class this school year, then try to take Geometry over the summer. Does your high school offer geometry in summer school? Otherwise you could try to take it at your local community college, just make sure your high school will give you credit for it. Then you can take Algebra 2 Sophomore year, Pre-Calculus Junior year, and Calculus senior year. You want to try to get to Calculus by senior year.