The most recent PISA mathematics scores indicate that only 1.9% of U.S. students scored at the 95th percentile, when compared with their peers in the international arena, scoring below the average of 3% of the total sample of students from OECD member nations, and well below the top students in Korea, Japan, Switzerland, China, and Singapore. The key to mathematics proficiency is algebra. This presentation explores how providing strong algebra instruction for all students at least by 8th grade can close the opportunity gap for diverse populations and enhance advanced mathematics instruction for gifted students well before 8th grade.