6 - Mathematics Course Placement
Students in 5th Grade, Math 6, and Math 7 are assessed in the spring to determine their math course placement for the next school year. These assessments are End-of-Year tests covering the curriculum of the next grade level. Students are not expected to prepare for these assessments or to know the content in advance. The majority of students will continue to the next sequential math course. However, a small number of students students who demonstrate proficiency in the tested curriculum may be placed in an accelerated course.
Families may opt out of testing by notifying their child’s teacher prior to the scheduled testing date.
Current 5th Grade Students
In 5th grade, we assess students for 6th grade math course placement. The majority of 6th grade students will take Math 6. A very small number of 6th grade students who show proficiency of the Math 6 curriculum will be placed in Math 7 as their core math class.
Students who are placed in Math 6 and passionate about math have the option to choose Math 7 as an elective, taken in conjunction with Math 6.
All 6th grade students taking Math 7 must maintain a 75% or higher average in order to remain in the course.
The assessment for 5th grade students covers the Math 6 curriculum, which can be found here.
Below is an overview of the major concepts of the Math 6 curriculum:
- Computation with Fractions
- Computation with Decimals
- Solving and graphing one-step inequalities
- Understanding rational numbers
- Graphing on a coordinate plane
- Solving problems involving ratios, proportions, percents, and unit rates
- Writing equivalent expressions
- Solving one-step equations
- Using coordinate graphs and tables to represent relationships
- Solving problems involving area, surface area, and volume
- Analyzing data
Khan Academy’s 6th Grade Mission is a helpful tool for any learner interested in preparing for the assessment.
Current Math 6 Students
All students enrolled in Math 6 are assessed in the spring of 6th grade for 7th grade math course placement. The majority of 7th grade students will take Math 7. A very small number of 7th grade students who show proficiency of the Math 7 curriculum show a need for an alternative curriculum.
All Math 6 students will take a Math 7 End of Course Assessment. Students who show proficiency of the Math 7 curriculum will have the option to be placed in Math 8 as their core math class or be assessed further for possible Algebra 1 placement. Students who wish to be assessed further will take a Math 8 End of Course Assessment. Students who show proficiency of the Math 8 curriculum will have the option to be placed in Algebra 1.
Students who are placed in Math 7 and passionate about math have the option to choose Math 8 as an elective, taken in conjunction with Math 7. Students who are placed in Math 8 and passionate about math have the option to choose Algebra 1 as an elective, taken in conjunction with Math 8.
All 7th grade students taking Math 8 or Algebra 1 must maintain a 75% or higher average in order to remain in the course.
Algebra 1 is a high school level course, typically taken as a freshman. It is an intense course that requires a lot of hard work and perseverance in problem solving. You can view the course curriculum here.
The assessment for Math 6 students covers the Math 7 curriculum, which can be found here.
Below is an overview of the major concepts of the Math 7 curriculum:
- Operations with Integers and Rational numbers
- Order of operations with integers
- Solving 1-step equations
- Solving 2-step equations (i.e. 5 = 2x - 9)
- Simplifying expressions (i.e. 2(6x - 3) - 5x)
- Factoring (i.e. 3x - 6 factors to 3(x - 2))
- Volume and Surface Area of Prisms
- Finding missing sides of similar triangles
- Probability
- Solving proportions
- Solving and graphing inequalities (i.e. x - 7 < -20)
Khan Academy’s 7th Grade Mission is a helpful tool for any learner interested in preparing for the assessment.
Current Math 7 Students
All students enrolled in Math 7 are assessed in the spring of 7th grade to determine course placement for 8th grade. Again, the majority of 7th grade students continue onto Math 8. Some 8th grade students who show proficiency of the Math 8 curriculum will be placed in Algebra 1.
Algebra 1 is offered as an elective choice for all students in Math 8. Algebra 1 is a high school level course, typically taken as a freshman. It is an intense course that requires a lot of hard work and perseverance in problem solving. You can view the course curriculum here.
All 8th grade students taking Algebra 1 must maintain a 75% or higher average in order to remain in the course.
The assessment for Math 7 students covers the Math 8 curriculum, which can be found here.
Below is an overview of the major concepts of the Math 8 curriculum:
- Rules of exponents (i.e. X3 * X5)
- Writing a linear equation for a real world situation
- Graphing linear equations using the slope and y-intercept (i.e. y = 3x - 2)
- Solving systems of equations (y = 3x + 1 and y = x - 7)
- Solving multi-step equations (4 = 3x - 1)
- Solving equations and inequalities with variables on both sides of the equal sign (i.e. 3x - 2 = 4x + 5)
- Finding the slope, y-intercept, and equation given the graph of a line
- Writing an equation of a line given a table
- Writing an equation of a line given 2 ordered pairs
- Identifying rational vs. irrational numbers
- Using the Pythagorean Theorem
- Determining the transformation of a figure
Khan Academy’s 8th Grade Mission is a helpful tool for any learner interested in preparing for the assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions about Course Placement
Are students allowed to retake the placement exam?
Yes, students are allowed the opportunity to retake the placement exam one time on one of the two retake dates offered. Sign up for placement retakes will be shared in the course placement notification. Families must sign up to retake the assessment by March 20.
What is my student is passionate about math, but does not show proficiency of the next grade level math course on the placement exam?
All students have the option to take their grade level math class as their core class and the next grade level math class as an elective class. They would be enrolled in 2 math classes. Sign up for math elective courses will be shared in the course placement notification. Students interested in a math elective must sign up by March 20.
What if a student does not want to skip a math course or does not want to take the placement test?
You may opt your student out of taking the math placement test by contacting your child's teacher prior to the scheduled testing date. If you choose to opt out, your child will be enrolled in their grade level math class for the following school year.
How are 9th grade math course placement decisions made?
Students are placed in High School classes based on student interest and their 8th grade teacher's recommendation.
What does the course sequence look like?
The High School Math Course Progression can be found here.