Math Pathway
Math Pathway at Aki Kurose
In middle school, students start on a path that will lead them all the way to college math. The class sequence goes like this for students’ standards (or grade level) math class:
- 6th grade math
- 7th grade math
- 8th grade math
- Algebra I
- Geometry
- Algebra II
- Pre-Calculus
- Calculus
In order to be set up to take 4 years of high school level math, you need to stay at or above grade level in middle school math. Most 4-year colleges require that students took 4 years of high school math.
Most students at Aki Kurose take two math classes: a grade-level standards class, and an enrichment or empowerment class that acts to accelerate students’ skills at an individualized pace. This is to help all of our student mathematicians grow as much as possible in math during the year. Students are placed in math classes at Aki based on their performance in math the previous year, their SBA scores from multiple years, and teacher recommendation. Teachers are continually assessing student progress over the course of the year to determine their “just-right” math class. As students accelerate and get ahead in middle school math, they can take Algebra I and sometimes also Geometry while in middle school. Acceleration class options are as follows:
- 6th, 7th & 8th Grade Empowerment Tier 3 – bolstering of grade level skills in a small class setting
- 6th, 7th & 8th Grade Empowerment Tier 2 – small group work on grade level skills
- 6th, 7th & 8th Grade Empowerment for students with support services – MLL & SpEd
- Accelerated Math 6 & Math 7 (for 6th graders) – two years of math in one school year
- Math 8 for 7th graders
- Algebra for 8th graders
- Geometry for 8th graders
In some cases, students may take only one math classes and add in a second exploratory class. This typically happens when 6th graders are taking the Math 6/7 accelerated class, 7th graders take Math 8, or 8th graders take Algebra only.
College Entrance Requirements for Math – Considerations for High School Preparation
Two year colleges:
If you plan to attend community college, it’s a good idea to take Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II and Pre-calculus. Otherwise, you will need to spend money paying for classes that you could have taken in high school. Also, you won’t be able to get college credit for classes until you get to college-level math, which begins at pre-calculus.
Four year colleges:
Most four year colleges require at least 3 years of high school math and recommend that you take more. It is a good idea to take at 4 years of high school math if you plan to attend a four-year college or university.