For those with high school homeschoolers, do all or most of them complete calculus before they graduate if they are college-bound? I am doing some pre-planning, and it looks as if my oldest will complete Algebra 1 and 2, geometry, and trig, but probably not calculus. I am wondering if I need to have him start Algebra 1 this summer to accelerate the process, and continue with math every summer so that he can finish calculus before he graduates. Thoughts? He is actually has a high math aptitude, but he is lazy, which is why he is in 8th grade and only now doing pre-algebra! Michelle
I would venture to guess that the majority of homeschoolers, as well as their public school counterparts, do not complete calculus prior to college; however, it will help with college entrance exams, math placement and possibly testing out of math credits in college. My own kids will not be pursuing math related fields, so they will not take anything after Algebra I and Geometry. As far as scheduling, I did this when I was in school: 9th--Algebra I 10th--Algebra II and Geometry (both full-year courses during the same school year) 11th--Trig 12th--Calculus I didn't find it difficult to double up on math in 10th grade. The two disciplines are enough different that it didn't seem like you were bogged down with one subject twice in one day.
Most high school kids do not complete calculus. It depends on the child. Sd did calculus but she was ahead in Math her cousin did not and he was just fine in college.
Mine do Alg I, Geometry, Alg II, pre-Calc. Mine do Calculus in college. Some kids will do Calculus in high school, but I don't think most colleges require it.
I wouldn't worry about the calc, unless they started early. Rachael is gifted in math. This is what she did for math: Alg. 1 - 7th Geometry - 8th Alg. 2 - 9th Pre-Cal - 10th Cal - 11 This year (her Senior year), she's taking Calculus at the college level. First quarter was mostly review, but this quarter she's actually learning new stuff. But she also wants to study Engineering in college, so she really needs it. Faythe, on the other hand, took 1.5 years to complete the Pre-Alg book. She is in 10th now, and is just now doing Alg. 1. When she finishes it (hopefully before fall), I will have her take Geometry. Then, I'd like her to take a class on personal finances for her last math class. I WILL NOT subject her to Alg. 2!!! I foresee her attending a Community College, where she shouldn't need advanced math. I might add that I have a college degree in Education, and had a good number of graduate classes before I "dropped out" to get married and have kids. The highest level math I took in high school was Geometry. It didn't effect my job performance AT ALL! Actually, Michelle, you might check with the college. I'm guessing it would vary, depending on what they wanted to study.
Thanks! When I was in high school (waaay back in the 80s), I took Alg II in 9th grade, Geometry in 10th, Trig in 11th, and Calc in 12th. And I wasn't a math-y student at all! This was the normal, non-accelerated, college prep track. So, I guess I started to panic when I realized DD would only finish trig in HS. Maybe things have changed? Calculus is not on the SATs? It's a relief to know that it is not required by most colleges. Maybe I should also go on some college websites and look at their entrance requirements to make sure we are on track.
I was good in math and i only took up to pre-calc in high school. I took up to advanced statistics in college. Mostly because I wanted to, not because I needed it.
ROFL! When I was in high school, back in the late 60s, all there WAS at our school was Alg 1, Geometry, and Alg II, for the college prep plan. I think we might have done a little trig in Alg II. In college, I had to do two semesters of alg/trig which weren't a whole lot more complicated than the Alg II but with a little more trig. I know college requirements have changed since then, but it still is going to depend on what major is chosen as to what math will be required.
My Ds15 will be entering a program for an associate degree in criminal justice. In college, he won't even have to take algebra again; instead, he will be taking a criminal statistics course. It really does depend on what they will major in. I have found it to be very, very much worth the effort to inquire about the planned course of study in college rather than to fret over if my kids will be prepared. Hope this helps.
Lol, Brooke, that implies that your kid has an idea of what they're interested in!!! Every time I asked Rachael, I got a very firm "I don't know!!!" If I mentioned an idea, I got an equally firm, "Not that!!!" But, because she really likes math and Physics, she thought "maybe" engineering. And then last summer, she went to Cedarville University's Engineering Camp, and really enjoyed it. Faythe loves volunteering at the zoo. We were also considering having her volunteer at the animal shelter, but she got a job as a mother's helper to a friend for two hours a day. So she doesn't have any time for the animal shelter right now. We've discussed the possibility of being a veternarian assistant. I'm hoping it will be a two-year associate's program, rather than a four-year college! Phillip wants to be a missionary pilot, but at 12, that is still subject to change.
For "undecideds", I think I'd tell them, "Well, I supposed that means we need to take advantage of the most rigorous course of study just in case you decide to become a cardio-thorasic surgeon or an astro-physicist." My dd12 had always planned on being a vet or a tech until she figured out that she really, really doesn't like all the science--or blood and guts. She just likes to spend time with animals. Now she is planning on cosmetology. ....and marrying a boy in line to inherit a horse ranch.
Maybe I shouldn't worry so much, and if my DS13 had an inkling of what he wanted to do, planning for the next 4 years would be easier. However, it changes monthly. A few months ago it was animation and digital media. Then engineering. Now it is world history. Who knows what will be next?? @Brooke---LOL. Your daughter sounds like mine! DD11 wanted to be a vet, but the thought of dissection makes her ill! For the moment, she is focusing fashion design and art history! LOL! At least DS9 knows what he wants...he wants to build sustainable Lego houses for all of his family members!:lol:
:lol: My Dd12 figured it out real quick while walking into the room while Ds15 was watching a frog dissection lab! I asked her how she thought vet students learned about the inner workings of their patients.
Rachael's friend is studying veterinary medicine at Ohio State. She's currently doing an internship in Australia, and LOVING it! When she was a Senior in high school, she took Advanced Biology, where they had to dissect a CAT! She actually took pictures with her cell phone and posted them on facebook; she actually has one of her dissections still in a jar on her desk. So I guess she found the right field to be in!
my daughter who is college now. And majoring in math said you don't calculus to go to college. Its not on any entering test.
