Algebra 1 B--High School Course Placement
What high school class is the 'best-fit' after you've taken Algebra 1B?
Dear Students and Parents,
No matter what high school you plan on attending, figuring out what math class is best for you can be confusing and sometimes frustrating. Let's put some things out in the open so you can make a more informed decision.
First, let's take a moment and clarify what Algebra 1B is at Summit and what it is not. Algebra 1A at Summit is the same class as the rest of the district-wide Algebra 1A classes. It is first half of Algebra one over a year period. In Algebra 1B, we no longer have the same course as the rest of the district. This is not the second half of Algebra 1 over a one year period. At Summit, in Algebra 1B, we cover all of the BVSD Advanced Algebra standards in 1 year--just like our 7th grade Accelerated Algebra class. This causes a bit of a conundrum, we do cover all of the topics but we also give you a one year primer to the material and then cover it again. Because of this, this class is considered somewhere in-between a "regular" and an "advanced" math class by the district.
No matter what high school you plan on attending, figuring out what math class is best for you can be confusing and sometimes frustrating. Let's put some things out in the open so you can make a more informed decision.
First, let's take a moment and clarify what Algebra 1B is at Summit and what it is not. Algebra 1A at Summit is the same class as the rest of the district-wide Algebra 1A classes. It is first half of Algebra one over a year period. In Algebra 1B, we no longer have the same course as the rest of the district. This is not the second half of Algebra 1 over a one year period. At Summit, in Algebra 1B, we cover all of the BVSD Advanced Algebra standards in 1 year--just like our 7th grade Accelerated Algebra class. This causes a bit of a conundrum, we do cover all of the topics but we also give you a one year primer to the material and then cover it again. Because of this, this class is considered somewhere in-between a "regular" and an "advanced" math class by the district.
Because district-wide, Algebra 1B is considered a "regular" math class, local high schools recommend we place you into "regular" math classes. However, I'm pushing you into deeper topics than most other Algebra 1 classes (we delve into a bit of Algebra 2 and spend a month or so on Geometric proofs). This means I have a some wiggle room in making course recommendations. Here are the Summit Middle School standards on which I will base my recommendation for you:
- If you have a mid 80%s or above on TESTS I will recommend you for Pre-IB Geometry or Advanced Geometry with one condition: you must promise me you will then go to Advanced Algebra 2 and not Pre-IB Algebra 2/3--no matter what your fellow Geometry classmates are doing. Advanced Algebra 2 and Pre-IB Algebra 2/3 are not the same class. You're already moving up one level on the math pathway; from regular to advanced. Please don't try and jump to yet another level. It rarely goes well.
- If you have a 80% or above (total grade) I will recommend you into regular Geometry. Remember, this is the 'normal' 10th grade class. If you choose to override this decision, you may end up doing okay in Pre-IB Geometry or Advanced Geometry but please, please don't take Advanced Algebra 2. Take regular Algebra 2 instead.
- If you have lower than an 80% I will recommend you into Advanced Algebra 1 (you may choose to drop down to regular Algebra 1). Algebra is the foundation for the rest of your math career. If you're struggling with the content now, it's best to enter high school with the rest of the Freshman class and make sure you know this stuff inside and out before moving on to the next level.
Course Sequences at the High School level:
Course Sequences at the High School level:
After Algebra 1B, these are your options for 9th grade math placements.
- "Regular" math class sequence:
(80% or above overall grade)
Geometry (9th grade) -> Algebra 2 (10th) -> Pre-Calculus (11th) -> AP Calculus 1 or AP Stats (12th) - "Advanced" math class sequence:
(option 1--80% or above on Tests)
Advanced/Pre-IB Geometry (9th) -> Advanced Algebra 2 (10th) -> Pre-Calc (11th) -> AP Calc 1 or AP stats (12th) - (option 2--below 80% overall grade)
Advanced Algebra 1 (9th grade) -> Advanced Geometry (10th) -> Advanced Algebra 2 (11th) -> Pre-Calc (12th)
-> Calculus 1 (freshman year of college) - "International Baccalaureate" math class sequence:
The IB Math sequence at Fairview high school is not recommended for ANY Algebra 1B student. Although many Algebra 1B students ace Pre-IB Geometry, they rarely do well or even pass Pre-IB Algebra 2/3. Only students who are at the top of the "advanced" math classes take Pre-IB Algebra 2/3 and do well. It is 3 semesters of high-level math packed into 1 year. It is a very hard course. If you are enrolled in Algebra 1B, please do not take this class unless you decide to take Advanced Algebra 1 your freshman year.
IB and Math:
Let's talk about International Baccalaureate Math classes. It is possible to earn an IB diploma without going through the IB MATH pathway at Fairview, assuming a recommendation into Pre-IB Geometry.
|
1st option:
2nd option: |
You can double up on math classes your senior year--AP Calc A/B and Math Standard Level IB.
Or, with a couple tutoring sessions, you can take the Math Standard Level (SL) IB test (instead of the class) your senior year after AP Calculus A/B. The IB Math SL test does not cover topics beyond Calc A/B. Fairview may not offer this option to you, but if you ask for it, it most definitely exists. |
If you have questions about math placement and pre-IB Biology, let's have a face-to-face conversation.
Overrides
After all is said and done, it is possible that you and/or your parents may disagree with my recommendation and may even choose to override my decision (with a parent signature). I won't be offended--not even a little bit. Ms. Burrows has the paperwork for you to fill out. This is a choice you and your parents need to take seriously. Due to the rapid population growth the Denver area is experiencing, many of the BVSD high schools are over-capacity. This means if you find yourself in a class that is too difficult for you, you may have to tough it out for the rest of the year because there is no place for you to go.
Please, if you do decide to go into Advanced or Pre-IB Geometry, during your freshman year talk to students in Advanced Algebra 2. Find people who are a year older than you and made the same decision you are about to make. Ask them how it's going. You can always drop down to the regular pathway between years. Repeating a class and torpedoing your GPA aren't things to do lightly.
I hope you find this information helpful. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Andrew Busch
andrew.busch_at_bvsd.org
Please, if you do decide to go into Advanced or Pre-IB Geometry, during your freshman year talk to students in Advanced Algebra 2. Find people who are a year older than you and made the same decision you are about to make. Ask them how it's going. You can always drop down to the regular pathway between years. Repeating a class and torpedoing your GPA aren't things to do lightly.
I hope you find this information helpful. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Andrew Busch
andrew.busch_at_bvsd.org
