traditional or accelerated math options

MATH - INFORMATION EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW

Parents who look ahead may be thinking their child will be taking high school math before they get to the ninth grade, but math placement as early as elementary school will influence the math choices students have when they begin their high school years.

The information on this page explains to parents the option of accelerated math and choices for students as early as elementary school are important. Let’s look at what those choices look like the following table. As you review the table below, remember that decisions for Accelerated Math are typically made well before students enter the seventh grade. We will be glad to help you with that information. 

traditional math and accelerated math 

GRADE	TRADITIONAL MATH PROGRAM	ACCELERATE MATH PROGRAM
7th GRADE	MATH 700	MATH 800 (Pre-Algebra), Algebra I
8th GRADE	​MATH 800 (Pre-Algebra)	ALGEBRA I, GEOMETRY
9th GRADE	ALGEBRA I	GEOMETRY, ALGEBRA II
10th GRADE	GEOMETRY	ALGEBRA II, PRE-CALCULUS
11th GRADE	ALGEBRA II	PRE-CALCULUS, DUAL-ENROLLMENT
12th GRADE	PRE-CALCULUS	AP CALCULUS, DUAL ENROLLMENT

ADVANCED MATH GRADES 1-8

​Some students are uniquely gifted in math and can be challenged beyond their standard grade level curriculum. These students may thrive on advanced content beyond their current grade level that will provide the rigor academically to meet their challenge for advanced content. Those students should have demonstrated performance in past math studies that convincingly suggests they are ready to move ahead with advanced curriculum content.  

Advanced math placement is available in both our Online Program in Elementary Online grades 3-5, Middle School Online grades 6-8 and our Book Program grades 1-5. Students taking advanced math may be able to begin Algebra I for High School credit in 8th grade.

​The NFC Academy enrollment staff will be ready to assist you with questions about the Advanced Math option.

making the best decision for your child

TRADITIONAL MATH

​As you can see for the students in the traditional math track will enter their ninth-grade year ready for their first high school math course Algebra I. Students following this path would end high school with Pre-Calculus. Required courses for graduation include Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II meaning students may substitute another math for Pre-Calculus for their senior year in this track.

Students following this traditional track have little difficulty getting into the college of their choice. While taking honor level courses is considered a plus for students...honor's level in the traditional grade level is not the same as the accelerated math program described.

​We will help you with information that will help you decide. 

ACCELERATED MATH

​As seen in the chart above students in the accelerated track will begin high school math in the eighth grade taking Algebra I or Algebra I Honors. Moving along they will take their Geometry course next and Algebra II course follows Geometry. It is possible to take Algebra II prior to Geometry, but Geometry will offer students some experience in material that may appear on the PSAT in their sophomore year. Students in this track will finish out their senior year taking AP Calculus or be in an approved Dual Enrollment course.
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While not typical, a few students may even be ready for Algebra I in seventh grade. To qualify for this further advancement, they would need to demonstrate success in earlier courses preparing them for such a step. Making the decision well before seventh grade is best.