This is the information for the transition to Advanced Algebra I (Part 1, 7th Grade & Part 2, 8th Grade)

 Because one of the primary goals of the Academy is to meet the needs of all of its students we begin the Algebra course in 7th grade and complete it in 8th grade.  That way SAA students are more fluent in the language of all upper-level math courses - Algebra.

                            Advanced Algebra I, Part I, 7th Grade & Part II, 8th Grade)
      The 7th and 8th grade math classes that I teach at SAA are  Advanced Algebra 1, Part 1, and Part 2.  The courses are specifically designed to help students prepare to continue to follow the advanced math course sequence, with the intent that they will be well equipped to be highly successful in challenging the AP Calculus and AP Statistics exams in high school.

      By design these courses are more rigorous, incorporate more non-traditional problem solving, and incorporate the use of technology. This includes use of the SmartBoard, and TI-84+ Graphing Calculators.  The ChromeBook computers the boys have are used when Blended Learning is employeed as a teaching technique.  Students access specific websites that offer video presentations of pre-selected topics.  This may be assigned as homework, or as directed class work.  This is the "Flipped Classroom" method of providing students with a wider range of learning procedures that allow them to self-teach certain skills.  It is also used as a source for remediation.

     Acceleated classes include all of the material that is found in traditional Algebra classes, and then cover material that is traditionally not discussed until later in the math sequence.  Students in these courses at SAA, who work hard, can expect to earn grades that are commensurate with the grades they are used to earning in past math classes.  Students completing Algebra I in 8th grade will begin their freshman year taking Geometry (unless they also complete the optional Geometry course that the Academy offers as a paid elective during 8th grade).

                                                                    Geometry
      This course is offered at SAA outside of the regular school day.  It meets from 7am to 7:50am, Monday through Thursday each week.  It is available to capable 8th grade students at an additional, nominal fee.  It is taught during the 8th grade year while students are also completing Algebra I.  The course is designed so that algebra skills that are needed for success in Geometry are not introduced in that course until they have been studied in Algebra I.  The grades from the Geometry course do not count on the GPA for SAA students, but a passing grade must be maintained to remain eligible for extracurricular activities. Earning an “A”, or "B" in the course usually results in a high school credit for Geometry.  Successful Geometry students then begin their first year in high school taking Algebra 2*. 
                                       (For a better explanation of the math courses named above, Click Here)

                                                 Suggestions from the AlgebraGuy
      The traditional high school course sequence for mathematics for college-bound students is as follows:  Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, and, hopefully, AP Statistics

      For students who earn high school credit for Geometry completed at the Academy the high school sequence begins with Algebra 2*, followed by Pre-Calculus.  For students with a high level of mastery in Pre-Calculus (90% +) I suggest Calculus BC, AP, as a Junior, and AP Statistics or some other upper-level math course as a Senior.  For students who struggle some with Pre-Calculus, I suggest they take Calculus AB as a Junior and then take Calculus BC, AP, as a Senior.** 

      Regardless of which math course students begin with in high school it is imperative that all college-bound students complete 4 years of math in high school.

      I invite all interested parents and students to peruse my website (algebraguy.com) for lots more information about the courses I teach at SAA, and about lots of other information concerning math.

2 years of Algebra 1 is significantly better than the traditional 1 year that is dedicated to this course in most other schools.