All I know is when I finally got to take algebra in 8th grade it was such a wonderful feeling to feel like I was actually learning something in math--it was fun and I loved it. No experience with ramifications in HS of taking it in 6th. My dd skipped 6th and is in 7th now, taking advanced math (there is one level above her that is for super advanced kids). She has to maintain a certain test avg. to take algebra next year, so we shall see if it is an option then.