Middle School Math Track Leading to College!?

Today, we will talk about the math track, specifically focusing on middle school math and how it influences high school math tracks.

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Since middle school activities or academic performance aren't directly considered in college admissions, some students tend to relax during middle school and later feel overwhelmed in high school when they realize that their middle school background connects to high school.

Let’s discuss how to prepare for college effectively during high school without too much difficulty and what the middle school math track should look like to support that.

Typically, the math track consists of:

- 6th-grade Math,

- 7th-grade Math,

- 8th-grade Pre-Algebra

as part of the middle school curriculum, and

- starting from 9th grade, Geometry/Algebra II/(AP) Pre-Calculus/AP Calculus AB/BC as part of the high school curriculum.

While AP Calculus AB/BC is often enough, some schools now offer more advanced math subjects like Multivariable Calculus/Linear Algebra due to the increasing level of academic rigor.

### Student Learning Standards for Mathematics

Although there are standards for the high school curriculum in the U.S., the course content varies by state and is managed independently, so you can find state-specific files online. These files aren't organized by subject but rather list the concepts that need to be covered in high school, making them hard to follow. To make it easier, I’ve organized the subjects and will explain the standards they aim to meet.

While the courses differ by state and grade, the general curriculum looks like the image above. The standard track involves:

- 8th-grade Pre-Algebra or 8th-grade Math,

- 9th-grade Algebra I,

- 10th-grade Geometry,

- 11th-grade Algebra II,

- 12th-grade Pre-Calculus.

However, some students follow a more advanced path:

- 9th-grade Pre-Calculus,

- 10th-grade Calculus BC,

- 11th-grade Multivariable,

- 12th-grade Linear Algebra.

How can students skip several steps and follow this accelerated math track? Many parents with middle schoolers ask how their children can achieve this, so I will explain how it can be done.

Some people may wonder why there is a need to rush through the math track rather than sticking to the standard pace. The reason is that students applying to competitive colleges are usually well-prepared academically, so staying at a higher level than the standard track is advisable.

Moreover, colleges, especially those considering Asian students, often expect applicants to perform above the standard level in math. As you can see in the image, the left-most track is the standard path, but moving one level up shows a track where students take Geometry in 9th grade, Algebra II in 10th grade, Pre-Calculus in 11th grade, and AP Calculus AB/BC in 12th grade.

However, to be on a strong math track, the ideal progression is:

- 9th-grade Algebra II,

- 10th-grade Pre-Calculus,

- 11th-grade AP Calculus AB/BC,

- 12th-grade AP Statistics.

This track is solid because students encounter AP Calculus in 11th grade. Many then take AP Statistics in 12th grade, which is a decent math track. Still, as I often mention, since AP Statistics is an elective course, taking Linear Algebra instead is preferable.

The far-right track, where students start with Pre-Calculus in 9th grade, is an advanced track. This is considered highly advanced, and many students at our institute follow this path.

What math should a student take in 8th grade to follow this higher track in 9th grade? The math course a student takes in 8th grade influences what they can take in 9th grade. And to determine the 8th-grade course, students need to have completed appropriate math courses in 7th grade. So, even in middle school, attention should be paid to the math track as it affects high school progression.

If students want to advance faster than the standard math track, they should consider grade skipping to catch up. You can refer to our previous post for more information on this.

Skipping grades to take advanced math courses in high school can be done by attending both online and offline classes, but students may miss out on internships or research opportunities during that time. Therefore, it's essential to prepare the middle school math track with the high school track in mind.

So, how can students skip grades to follow a competitive track? Some parents worry that skipping grades will overwhelm their child. However, there’s no need to worry because higher-level math courses like Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II cover all the content from 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade math and Pre-Algebra, so the academic burden isn’t too great.

How can middle school students skip grades?

There are several possible scenarios depending on the school.

1. If the school offers a strong math curriculum:

   If the student excels in math, the school may automatically place them in a higher-level course. In this case, the student might take Algebra II in 8th grade.

2. If the school requires tests for advancement:

   Some schools allow students to skip grades if they meet the criteria through testing. This could happen annually or just once during middle school.

3. Gifted and Talented Programs (G&T):

   If the school offers a program for talented math students, participating in this program can help students start high school on an advanced track.

4. Parental request with a waiver:

   If the school doesn’t offer accelerated math or a G&T program, parents can request grade skipping by signing a waiver.

5. If none of the above is possible:

   The student can study math independently and ask the high school to place them in an advanced course in 9th grade.

Final Thoughts

I urge parents to start paying attention to their child’s math track from middle school because it impacts high school.

There are four main math tracks:

- Standard Math Track:

  - 8th-grade Pre-Algebra

  - 9th-grade Algebra I

  - 10th-grade Geometry

  - 11th-grade Algebra II

  - 12th-grade Pre-Calculus

- First Advanced Track:

  - 8th-grade Algebra I

  - 9th-grade Geometry

  - 10th-grade Algebra II

  - 11th-grade Pre-Calculus

  - 12th-grade AP Calculus AB/BC

- Second Advanced Track:

  - 8th-grade Geometry

  - 9th-grade Algebra II

  - 10th-grade Pre-Calculus

  - 11th-grade AP Calculus AB/BC

  - 12th-grade Multivariable Calculus

- Third Advanced Track:

  - 8th-grade Algebra II

  - 9th-grade Pre-Calculus

  - 10th-grade AP Calculus AB/BC

  - 11th-grade Multivariable Calculus

  - 12th-grade Linear Algebra

Non-STEM students can stick to the first advanced track, but those preparing for STEM fields would benefit from following the second or third advanced track.

I’m not saying that students must skip grades, but if they aim for highly competitive colleges, they should consider it. Math is easier to skip compared to other subjects, so keep this in mind. Preparing early in middle school for a strong high school math track is key.

If you would like personalized guidance based on your child’s situation, feel free to contact A-One Institute.