Confused about the next math step for your homeschooler?
You’re not alone. One of the most common questions we hear from parents is:
“My teen just finished Algebra 1… what comes next?”
In today’s post, we’re going to break down a clear math sequence for high school — and explain why it matters more than just getting through a textbook.
✅ The Typical Math Sequence (for College-Bound Teens)
Most colleges expect students to follow this general path:
- 9th Grade: Algebra 1
- 10th Grade: Geometry
- 11th Grade: Algebra 2
- 12th Grade: Pre-Calculus or Calculus
This sequence ensures your student is gradually building skills and not jumping ahead before they’re ready.
❗ Why Sequence Matters
It’s not just about learning math — it’s about telling a story on your student’s transcript.
Colleges (and scholarships) look for:
- Academic progression
- A solid GPA
- Courses that build on each other
Jumping out of sequence or skipping ahead without mastery can create gaps — and confusion when applying to college.
📘 Our Recommended Rule of Thumb
- If your student struggled with Pre-Algebra → Take Algebra 1 next
- If they just finished Algebra 1 → Move to Geometry
- If they cruised through Geometry → Algebra 2 is next
- Strong students can take dual enrollment or start Pre-Calc early
🧰 Free Resource: TRANSCRIPT
We created a simple Transcript Template and GPA Calculator — giving you a complete system to plan and track progress.
👉 Get those FREE resources here. 5 Free downloads.
👉 Go further with our Full $7 Transcript Starter Guide. Extra video and bonus materials.
🎓 Need a Solid Curriculum?
We offer high school math courses designed for homeschoolers, taught by a college professor.
Our most popular options:
- Algebra 1
- Geometry
- Pre-Calculus (Algebra 2 with trig)
- Calculus
You can shop all our courses right here.
In the video I mention our Scope and Sequence Article. You might want to check that out too.
