Pre-algebra Class in 8Th Grade vs Push for Algebra Class So He Can Take Geometry

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Test scores aside, you don't say if you want him to have geometry in 9th grade or if HE wants it, and why, either way. Is he the one driving this accelerated math schedule or are you and his father driving it? If he wants it for himself, why? If he's just going along with your schedule for him, why do you think 8th grade algebra and 9th grade for geometry are best for him, and what's the end goal -- is he heading toward a science or math career (and does he know that for sure as he's just finishing 7th grade?)? He may indeed be the kind of kid who at 12 or 13 already is sure of his direction; there are some kids like that though they're few. (I do know kids who by about 12 truly knew what they wanted to do in life and went out and did it.) If so, great. But if he is not the driving force behind accelerating his math, he will not be motivated enough -- or he will be motivated mostly by the worry that he will let you down, and not by a desire of his own to move up in math. If he IS the one who wants this change, then he should be with you when you talk to the school about it. You want to challenge a bright kid so he doesn't get bored, of course, but you also want to ensure he moves at an appropriate pace so he doesn't get frustrated and behind in math, and the school may have other ideas about that. Maybe instead of framing it as "Do we push the school to do this," perhaps think of it more as "Let's ask the school exactly what's in this curriculum and why they want him moving at this pace through the curriculum."

Algebra is best learned in a classroom. It is the first math that involves abstract thinking. Pre Alg does a little of it, it introduces some of the Alg concepts.
Does he want Geometry in 9th grade? If he does then push, if he doesn't then you will be wasting your time and his.
He could do Geometry and Algebra together.

If he is brilliant at math then I would go ahead, if not then leave him in Pre ALg.
Or you can do this.
Go to singaporemath.com or saxon math and download their Pre Algebra end of year tests for homeschoolers. If he does real well the Saxon Algebra 1/2 or on the Singapore 6B test then he is ready for Algebra.

I loved Math and took Algebra I in summer school (simply b/c I wanted to) the summer before I started HS. That way I started Geometry in 9th grade and Algebra II in 10th grade and Pre-Calc and then Calc in 11th and 12th grade.

~If you can get him into voluntary summer school and he wants to go, I say do it...it will give him a leg up!

I think we need to know why is it so important that he take geometry in 9th grade? I suggest you meet with a guidence councelor and principal if necessary, to discuss the issue.

In our school district, 9th grade geometry is determined not only by scores, but also by teacher recommendation and space available in the class. Also, summer school is not available to high acheiving students.

As a high school Pre-AP teacher a lot of my students are on an accelerated path (in math and science) like the one your describing. My opinion is that if the school recommends that he take the Pre-Alg. class do that next year. If he does REALLY well in it (like 95 or above and he finds it almost boring) then do the Alg. I in summer school so he can move up to Geo. in 9th. However, if he struggles at all with the Pre-Alg then he needs to stay the course and do the Alg. I in 9th. I see so many kids in my class that have "bitten off more than they can chew". In the end, it can have devastating consequences, not just in math but in chemistry and physics, too, where over 60% of our class is algebra based work. Don't do the online course credit. Algebra needs to be taught be a teacher. It is a foundation class that sets the stage for later work.

Hi. I am also in Chantilly!
So, I might not have the best answer, but does he want to take geometry in 9th grade? I remember when I was in H.S. most kids took it in 10th grade. If he is ready for it, he can always try it and if it doesn't work out then then he can always go back to alg. 1 or repeat geometry. I don't know what any of those tests are that he took. We just moved here from CA and my kids are only 6 and 3, so I'm not sure how the testing is. I remember when I was a senior, I wanted to take physics. I was horrible at math. Almost failed it. But, I was good at science and I loved it! I had already taken chemistry and biology, but my school said no because I had not taken algebra 2. I was already done with all my science credits, and just wanted it as an elective, but they still said no. Sometimes you can fight the school on it, but sometimes they won't budge either. It's worth looking into though. Just see what he wants to do and I wouldn't push him either way. High school is hard enough, no need to make it harder