Caveat Academic Services
The Caveat Family Guide to High School · Free tool
Free tool · For parents of grades 6 to 8

The math path planner

Math builds year on year, so the starting point decides the finish line. Pick when your student takes Algebra I and see where the path can lead by senior year.

When does your student take Algebra I (or Math 1)?
Options the high school allows
    Example sequence only. Course names, order, summer options and whether middle school courses earn high school credit differ by school and state. Ask your student's school for its own math sequence. Each college decides what it looks for in math.

    Reading the result

    Many colleges do not require calculus. Some highly selective colleges, and many engineering, science and business programs, look for calculus or for the most advanced math a school offers. The right placement is the most advanced one your student can do well in, not the fastest one.

    Chapter 1 of the guide, The math track, covers how placement is decided and the questions to ask this year.

    Want someone to plan the math track? Your Caveat advisor checks the placement, builds the four-year plan before 9th grade registration and keeps it on course every semester.

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    This planner is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Each college decides admission, aid and how credit counts, and requirements change; check each college's own pages. Examples are examples, not promises. Caveat Academic Services is an independent college preparation company. Students do all of their own work.