[Soterik]

Also, Track 2 isn't exactly a walk in the park (I remember taking Alg II in 12th grade!). My guess is his grades are almost certainly going to be better on Track 2 than Track 3, and given college emphasis on GPA these days, maybe that's a determinative factor.

So, we were pretty much on the track 3 through middle school here in Washington, but my son got into high school and the math got a lot more difficult (tough teacher as well) and the other expectations and homework ramped up as well....plus more extra-curricular activities (football, wrestling,). He started out in 9th grade with the Alg II, but it was a little too tough. So, he took a half step back....

Note here that I asked my son while typing this, so he's telling me that he's on a track that's a little more 2.5, not quite 3, at this time. HOWEVER, he's going to end up at the end in 12th grade with a track that's potentially harder than track 3 as he's in the Intl. Baccalaureate program, and he'll end up in SL level Intl. Bacc. which also gets college credit.

My sense is that don't kill your kid with the extra pressure and work... it appears that (at least in Wash.) that you can shift a little. Also, do take a look at the Intl. Bacc. program, it's considered to be the hardest curriculum in high school, and is weighed very heavily by admittance counselors.

Good luck, and have fun!!

Eric