Nathan Hadi ’27

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With sophomores and juniors, a handful of freshmen at Strake Jesuit also take Accelerated (AC) Algebra II/Trigonometry as their math course. 

To enter this course, freshmen must test out of Algebra I and Geometry before school starts. If they test out, they are placed in an accelerated course called AC Algebra II/Trigonometry.

Usually, freshmen take geometry in 8th grade, giving them a head start. “Getting into AC Algebra II was not that hard,” says Bode Bosell ‘27. “But, it takes hard work from middle school to get placed in the course.” 

Most public schools provide Geometry in 8th grade, giving their students a chance to accelerate in high school. 

Some freshmen don’t even take geometry in 8th grade, and manage to test out of the course. “I skipped Geometry in middle school so it is a lot to catch up on for AC Algebra II,” says Michael Ngo ‘27. “Algebra II is a hard class, but I love it.” 

AC Algebra II/Trigonometry is a demanding class for freshmen, only a small portion of the freshmen class takes this course. Around 40 freshmen take this course, a jump from last year. The number is projected only to grow soon.