Expert: Ken Jensen - 8/20/2009

Question
QUESTION: So I'm in honors math for my 8th grade year.
My teacher said if I pass when I go to high school I will be in a sophomore math.
So if I do good I will be in a junior math when I'm a sophomore.
When means i will finish math a year early.
Then what? She said something that I can Study math at a community collage.
Buy what about that extra period I'm not taken at school. Do I get to go home?

I know its a ways away but I'm wondering

Thanks!

ANSWER: Alex,
These are very good questions and they show a great deal of maturity on your part to be thinking this far ahead in your academic career.  In our district a student who finishes the Senior level math course their Junior year is eligible to enroll in an AP Calculus class as a senior.  In this class they can get college credit if they pass the AP calculus test at the end of the year.  Some districts have students take calculus at a local community college or on-line.  You could contact one of the high school counselors to find out how it works it your school district.

Many times when you take a class at a community college you do not have class every day.  So rather than taking math Monday - Friday like you do right now you might only have class on Monday and Wednesday.  This makes your question about what you will do with your extra time a very good question.  One thing you will find with any college class is that you will have much more homework than in a regular high school class, so much of your extra time will be spent doing all that homework.  I, however, have an additional suggestions for that extra time.  After you graduate from high school your college will become very expensive, so you should be finding a job during your senior year and saving all the money you can to pay for school the next year.

Keep up the hard work in 8th grade- it will pay off for you!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Would I have to take a class at the community collage? Or is it my choice of what I do?  

Answer
In most schools after you have finished the required amount of math- which you should be able to do by the end of your junior year- it becomes your choice as to whether you take any math beyond that.  If you choose to take an additional year of math your senior year then it is up the the school as to wether you take it at the high school or at the community college.  Again I suggest that you contact the high school counselor at the school you will be going to to find out how it this will work for you.