The new option of taking Algebra 1 in seventh grade may seem like a great opportunity for students to get ahead. But I believe this path does more harm than good.
I’ve tutored Belmont students in math for 20 years. Belmont High School has one of the most rigorous public school math programs in the country. It regularly earns high rankings and is recognized as a STEM school. Nationwide, only about 3% of high school seniors take AP BC Calculus—the most challenging AP math exam—but at BHS, nearly 25% do. Our graduates attend top universities and thrive.
So why the push to accelerate even earlier? We’re asking 11- and 12-year-olds to make decisions that could shape their academic path for years. Students are getting the message that unless they skip a year of math, they’ll fall behind and hurt their college prospects. I routinely hear from anxious 8th graders already worried about college admissions.
This pressure comes at a cost. Middle schoolers who take the fast track can feel overwhelmed, at a time when anxiety and depression rise among teens. Students are led to believe that academic challenges, like honors and AP math, are tied to their worth. We should prioritize mental health for teens; a recent survey found a third of BHS students experience anxiety, and a quarter report depression. Nationally, over 60% of college students meet the criteria for at least one mental health condition.
Meanwhile, students who don’t take Algebra early may feel left behind, when they’re perfectly capable. Math success has become an unfortunate marker of intelligence among middle schoolers.
I urge parents to trust Belmont’s proven, demanding math program. Students who are truly ready to accelerate will succeed regardless—but the majority benefit from a steady, supportive path.
Susan Montoya, Statler Road