Math sequence question- algebra or precal?

[cookderosa]

I wouldn't say you NEED it per se, but most colleges want you to learn algebra at the college level since it's kind of the starting block.

Pre-calc is pretty much just all the math you've learned up until that point without going in to derivatives and logarithms and all that all boring crap :p

What's confusing me is that I'm using college maths for his high school courses. If he were taking the next high school math, it would be called "precalc/trig" which would directly precede Calc AB (Calc 1). Since we are using college maths, what's the point of college algebra? I mean is is very different than Algebra 2? If he was being traditional, any high school kid who has taken calc 1 doesn't go back and take "college algebra" .... or do they? Is Intermediate Algebra (ALEKS) aka Algebra II not enough prep or is it? I don't want to leave a hole, but I also don't want him to feel like he's doing the entire algebra sequence again kwim?