You might notice (or remember from your school days) that often geometry is placed in between algebra 1 and algebra 2 in the sequence of courses for high school. Why is that? Is it important? Is it ok if I go in a different order? Let me try to answer these questions.

Let’s begin with the “why” question. Geometry is simpler than algebra 2. So if you want to look at these three courses in order of difficulty, it would be algebra 1, geometry, then algebra 2. Geometry does not use any math more complicated than the concepts learned in algebra 1. Putting geometry in between algebra 1 and algebra 2 gives students an extra year to practice algebra 1, while also strengthening their logic skills (application of math to real world concepts) and giving them a year to mature “mathematically” before tackling the more abstract concepts of algebra 2. Honestly, algebra 2 is a tough course. There are some very abstract (& brand new) concepts that students can...