One of the questions we hear most often from parents is: What’s the best math for a 7th grader?
The truth? These middle grades can make or break your child’s love of math. Unfortunately, many programs spend 7th and 8th grade repeating the same content from 1st–6th grade. That might sound safe, but for a student who’s ready to move forward, it can be frustrating — and sometimes even turn them against math.
Here’s what we did with our own children:
- Elementary years: We used Math Mammoth. It gave them a solid foundation.
- Middle school: We moved into Jacobs Algebra in 7th grade. We took two years to complete it, giving Pre-Algebra credit in 7th and Algebra 1 credit in 8th.
- High school transcripts: Since colleges only see grades 9–12, we recorded Algebra 1 in 9th grade so it appeared on their transcript. It didn’t matter when they actually took it — just that they took it and are credited in high school.
How to Know If They’re Ready for Algebra
If your student has mastered the basics of elementary math, they might be ready to start Jacobs Algebra. We offer an Algebra Readiness Test so you can check before you decide.
If you choose a different video-based program, make sure it:
- Quickly reviews elementary math.
- Introduces abstract concepts.
- Keeps your student challenged.
Bottom line 🗝️
Don’t let 7th grade be a holding pattern. Keep your student moving forward so they stay engaged and confident.
📺 Watch Next 🤓
· 👉What is Pre-Algebra? – Understand the bridge between elementary math and algebra.
· 👉The Math Mistake That Makes Homeschoolers Give Up – Why middle school math can hurt motivation (and how to fix it).
· 👉Build a Homeschool High School Transcript (Without the Overwhelm) – How to list early algebra credits the right way.
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📚 FREE Resources and Transcript Template
