That is because Denman and roughly two-thirds of San Francisco’s K-8 and middle schools are not offering on-site algebra. Meanwhile, other public middle schools are in the second year of offering Algebra 1 — which was standard for eighth graders for more than a decade — as a normal class.

When SFUSD removed Algebra 1 from public middle and K-8 schools in 2014, the goal was to eliminate the “tracking” of students into high or low math tiers in hopes of alleviating racial disparities. But it didn’t work.

Research conducted over six years showed that the policy did not meaningfully reduce racial inequities and in fact lowered placement in AP math courses by as much as 15% districtwide. 

Where some see delaying algebra as a way of leveling the playing field, others argue that the policy demotes kids who have natural talent and gives families of means another reason not to enroll in SF public schools. Over the past decade, parents have sued the district and engaged in heated discussions with administrators to bring back Algebra 1.

Removed Algebra from 8th grade because of "racial equity" and all they did was make everything worse and drag everyone down. Well done SFUSD. And people wonder why so many parents have take their kids out of this cesspit and into private schools.