Course Placement Guide
The Basics
Our mission at Denison Algebra is to help students succeed and feel confident in high school math and prepare them for college should they choose to go that route. Specifically, our courses target "non-mathy" students. When we say “non-mathy,” we’re not referring to a student’s capabilities, potential, or intelligence. Every student can absolutely learn high school math and be successful with it! Rather, the term “non-mathy” simply refers to students who find math unenjoyable or challenging to engage with for a variety of reasons.
While Denison Algebra courses are designed with the "non-mathy" student in mind, they are full standard-level courses that work well for any college-bound student, even the ones who don't struggle with math and enjoy it. However, it's important to note that our courses are not accelerated or honors-level. If your student is naturally math-oriented and thrives on more advanced and faster-paced content, we recommend considering and different curriculum instead.
We do not offer traditional placement tests for Denison Algebra courses. This is because our courses are designed to be taken by grade level (see below for each course's recommended grade range). Most students need to begin earning specific math credits upon entering high school and appreciate progressing at the same pace as their peers. Our goal is to make this progress as smooth as possible for parents and students alike. We accomplish this by reviewing and reteaching key math concepts throughout our courses — reinforcing foundational skills, filling in gaps, and building confidence — while presenting math in a way that "clicks" with students.
A Note About Pre-Algebra:
We do offer a placement "test" for Pre-Algebra, since determining whether or not your student should take this course can be challenging. This test, accessible here, is a summary of what is taught throughout the course. It allows you to get a feel for the content covered in Denison Pre-Algebra so you can better determine if the course is a good fit for your student. We recommend checking out the Pre-Algebra flip-through video below as well.
A Note about Success Courses:
If you have a student who REALLY struggles with math, we recommend checking out our Success courses. These courses are designed to help students with heavy learning challenges progress through high school math. They have the same grade range and prerequisites as their standard counterparts (see below), but are modified, non college-prep courses designed strictly to get math "unstuck." Visit our Success vs Standard page to get a side-by-side comparison of the two programs!
The Courses
Below is a quick guide to Denison Algebra courses and student placement. We know that one size does not fit all, so always rely on your best judgement and use this document only as a guide. There is also a Placement Questions section on our FAQ page to help answer more of your questions!
Pre-Algebra
Intended Grade Level: 7th or 8th
Prerequisites:
Students just need to be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide one-digit numbers. That’s it!
All other topics are reviewed and retaught throughout the course, including basic arithmetic, integers, fractions, decimals, and percents. This course is designed to fill in gaps from elementary and middle school math and to gently introduce a student to the world of algebra, preparing them for high school algebra 1 and beyond.
P.S. We offer a Placement Test to help determine whether your student is better suited for Denison Pre-Algebra or Algebra 1. You can also watch the video below for a detailed walk-through of the course!
Algebra 1
Intended Grade Level: 8th or 9th
Prerequisites:
Pre-Algebra (recommended, but not required). While our Algebra 1 course can be taken regardless of whether a student has completed a pre-algebra course, it is a useful foundation for students and we highly recommend taking a pre-algebra course first if their schedule allows. Still, experience with pre-algebra is not a prerequisite for Denison Algebra 1. This is because every algebra topic is taught as though a student is seeing it for the first time. Additionally, all the arithmetic skills needed for algebra 1 are heavily reviewed throughout the course. We do not assume that a student has any prior knowledge of algebra.
This is a standard level algebra 1 course. Even though topics are introduced with the assumption that students have not encountered them before, they are expanded and taught throughout the course at a typical grade level. This is not a modified or remedial course (see Success Algebra 1 for a modified version).
If your student has taken pre-algebra in any sort of capacity (even if they didn't finish the course) or they are entering high school, then we recommend starting Algebra 1. Of course, as a parent/teacher, you know your student's situation best and can modify this as needed. A student going into high school could take pre-algebra in 9th grade and algebra 1 in 10th grade, for instance, if you feel an extra year of math maturity is needed. States have different rules about whether Pre-Algebra can count as a high school math credit so be sure to research this as well. There are many variations and paths to attaining the necessary credits for graduation!
Geometry
Intended Grade Level: 9th+
Prerequisites:
Algebra 1. A student should take an algebra 1 course in some capacity before beginning geometry. That being said, students don't need a particularly strong algebra 1 background in order to take Denison Geometry. Any needed algebra 1 skills are directly reviewed or retaught throughout the course. If a student can handle adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing positive and negative numbers and can solve basic equations, they are ready for Denison Geometry (even these skills are reviewed at the beginning of the course).
This is a standard level geometry course. Even though topics are introduced with the assumption that students do not have a strong algebra 1 background, they are expanded and taught throughout the course at a typical grade level. This is not a modified or remedial course (see Success Geometry for a modified version).
Algebra 2
Intended Grade Level: 10th+
Prerequisites:
Algebra 1 (Geometry is recommended, but not required). A student must have an algebra 1 credit in order to take algebra 2. A geometry credit is recommended for further math exposure, but is not required. A student does not need to have a strong algebra 1 background to begin Denison Algebra 2. Any needed algebra 1 skills are directly reviewed and retaught throughout the course. If a student comes from with a weak algebra 1 background, then they will simply need to pay extra attention to the lessons that reteach and review algebra 1 skills.
This is a standard level algebra 2 course. Even though topics are introduced with the assumption that students do not have a strong algebra 1 background, they are expanded and taught throughout the course at a typical grade level. This is not a modified or remedial course (see Success Algebra 2 for a modified version).
Advanced Algebra & Trigonometry
Intended Grade Level: 11th+
Prerequisites:
Algebra 1 & Algebra 2 (Geometry is recommended, but not required). A student needs to have a standard algebra 1 and algebra 2 credit in order to take this course. Advanced Algebra & Trigonometry is designed to be a bridge between high school and college-level mathematics, and offers a thorough reteaching and review of all fundamental algebra concepts. It introduces students to all of the topics covered in a typical college algebra class as well as most pre-calculus concepts (it does not cover calculus-specific skills). Additionally, this course equips students with the tools to cope with and overcome "intangible" challenges they may face in college math classes, such as poorly designed curriculum, difficult-to-understand teachers, or fast-paced lessons.
In general, we recommend students take this course if they have time in their academic schedule and if any of the following are applicable:
- Your student wants to continue their high school math path smoothly and with minimal stress
- Your student wants to ensure that a college algebra or pre-calculus course is not stressful and to be well prepared to handle any of the common "intangibles" that can pop up in advanced math classes, particularly in a college classroom
- Your student may not currently plan to attend college, but wants to keep that option open by maintaining and strengthening their math skills
- You are concerned about your student’s readiness for college algebra or pre-calculus immediately after algebra 2, especially in terms of motivation or time-management skills
- Math comprehension or retention tends to be a challenge for your student
