Parents of homeschooled children who struggle with math sometimes ask what minimum level of math is necessary for high school graduation and college admission.

A parent asked me if Algebra I and Geometry were enough. I wanted to know if it would be acceptable to take consumer math instead of Algebra II during the senior year of high school. Her daughter was interested in starting an online business and felt she needed a consumer math class. Mom wondered what this would look like in a college, especially when it seems like everyone else includes Algebra 2.

If your child wants to go to college, Algebra 2 is very important. It is helpful to take Algebra 2 before taking the SAT to increase your score on that college admissions test. Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry are important to most colleges, although there are some that do not have a math requirement.

There will always be time to adjust to other math classes, such as consumer math, either before or after Algebra 2. This can help your child feel more comfortable before moving on to the next level of math.

For a child interested in starting an online business, you may want to aim for a business degree, just to increase interest in college. Try to foster her interests in a home business so that you can encourage her to develop the talents she will need to run the business on her own. Even home businesses have a LOT of math (trust me, I know!) And that will help you get a good understanding of the math and communication skills that a business administration degree requires.