Which type of kids excel at TJ?
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Anonymous
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My 8th grader son is strong. Excellent math and verbal. Introverted. Likes tech. Honesty holding him back in k helped immensely with maturity. He has August bday. He is more mature than avg 8th grader.
How do I know he might do well? Is there a certain type of kid that fits in there. I, of course, am not assuming he would get in. I'm trying to understand if he would benefit there or who benefits (thrives) there vs going to the average strong area HS. I looked at the college acceptance list. A ton of kids go to standard schools like James Madison, vcu etc. I am worried about him being excellent and then having to work super hard and being just average at TJ. We are new to the area. We got a note about TJ from school (n Arlington ms). Looks like application process starts Mon We are not far from area so we have heard @ TJ. Seems like only mythical unicorn kids get in .... Also, If we moved to fairfax could we still go if he was admitted from Arlington? We are looking for houses and might not find what we are looking for in Arlington. Mclean etc is right on border of Arlington. |
Anonymous
Although this was an aside in your OP, it's actually a very important consideration. If you move school districts, there is no guarantee your child can stay enrolled in TJ. It would be up to the district to which you move, not TJ. Each district has a certain number of spots for students. If a district is maxed out and then you move into it, I think you'd be out of luck. I say this as a TJ parent who moved *within* the district. We had to fill out a LOT of paperwork about our move and had to prove at several steps along the way that we were staying within the district. As far as whether your son would benefit/excel there, honestly I wouldn't worry about it yet. Go through the application process, and if your son is accepted you can go to an open-house type of thing at the school. I believe Arlington also hosts something just for APS kids. While I get a little irritated at the attempts to pigeonhole or stereotype TJ students, I will say that they are internally driven. Very few are happy with anything less than 100% effort in academic, social and extracurricular activities. In addition to academics, the school has amazing performing and visual arts, and many successful sports (especially those that are more individual effort, like golf and tennis) because the kids just won't accept anything less than the best from themselves. |
Anonymous
I had a kid graduate from TJ recently so I will try to answer your questions: How do I know he might do well? You do not. Most parents have the same nagging concern. It would definitely help if your kid likes math/science, will be in Geometry/Algebra II or higher in 8th, likes programming, genuinely curious about knowledge/learning, read widely (including some classic work or other dense material) and reads 2 to 3 grade level higher, writes well and likes creative writing, does not dislike or even likes history, govt/politics, economics etc. (Humanities). Is there a certain type of kid that fits in there. Certainly kids taking Calculus BC as freshman/sophomore, programming wiz, math competition/science winners will thrive but also kids who enjoy/win at MUN conferences, debate/speech tournaments, writing/newspaper activities, band, orchestra, drama etc. will find plenty of other like-minded students. I, of course, am not assuming he would get in. I'm trying to understand if he would benefit there or who benefits (thrives) there vs going to the average strong area HS. Admission is almost random in the sense some very bright kids are denied admission while some not very bright kids are admitted. Almost like college admissions to top 10-20 schools. Your kid would benefit if your kid enjoys being around other kids who are into academics and who are very ambitious and intelligent. Your kid would also enjoy the place more than other schools if your kid is nerdy since there is virtually no bullying, use of alcohol/drugs etc. He actually has a better chance of playing a team sport since practically everyone who wants to play gets to play. Your kid would have a better chance of acting in a drama (if that is what he wants) since most of the kids who try out get to play in some plays etc. I looked at the college acceptance list. A ton of kids go to standard schools like James Madison, vcu etc. I am worried about him being excellent and then having to work super hard and being just average at TJ. Your kid will definitely work hard. However, your kid will learn things he may not learn in other schools and be prepared for college better than almost all the other HS graduates. Most TJ grads do well in any college and go on to grad/professional school. Many TJ grads go to VA colleges for in state tuition purpose and since they received significant scholarship money so that they can borrow/finance for grad/professional school after college. We are not far from area so we have heard @ TJ. Seems like only mythical unicorn kids get in .... There are quirky kids, "normal" kids etc. but the difference is there is far less drama and other typical "bad" things you may find at other schools. Usually, hard working kids get in. Also, If we moved to fairfax could we still go if he was admitted from Arlington? We are looking for houses and might not find what we are looking for in Arlington. Mclean etc is right on border of Arlington. Yes, just involves some paperwork etc. to comply with school rules on residency etc. |
Anonymous
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I've had two kids at TJ. Does he breeze through his middle school classes with no trouble? Does he consistently get A's in math with little studying? If he needs to work a little harder and study more to do well, is he willing to do that?
Introverts can be very happy at TJ because the kids there are so accepting of each other. I'm always impressed by the maturity of TJ students and it sounds like your son would fit in very well. You say he's interested in tech - TJ offers many more classes in computer science and engineering than he will find at his base high school. Also most kids participate in at least one sport and my unathletic, geeky son has found a sport he really loves at TJ, something that he never would've been able to do at his base high school. As for colleges, schools like JMU and VCU are seen as safety schools and 90+% of TJ kids who apply are accepted. I wouldn't say "a ton" of kids go to those schools. Last year out of class of about 420, 8 are going to VCU and 4 are going to JMU. Even the "just average" kids get into UVA, W&M and VA Tech. You're asking the right questions though. In the end we left the decision up to our kids with the option of transferring back to their base school if they wanted to. |
Anonymous
| He gets all As except social studies. B. Advanced curriculum. |
Anonymous
| If he is such an excellent student, why did you hold him back? What was the need for him to be MORE mature than his classmates? |
Anonymous
| I held him back in k. Ummm 8 years ago. He is aug bday. Immature for being the youngest at age 5. He has done very well in school being the oldest. If I had not I believe his success would be much less. Hence it was a great decision. He could do multiplication in k. It was for maturity |
Anonymous
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One example why TJ is not only for math/science students. Plenty of well-rounded TJ graduates. In fact it is estimated some 25% of the graduates become attorneys (many in patent law) and some 40% become physicians or physician/researcher. Many writers as well.
TJ ’01 Amy FitzHenry publishes new novel “Cold Feet” Amy, a TJHSST graduate from the class of 2001, attended the College of William and Mary and the University of Virginia School of Law. After law school, Amy practiced as a litigator in a Los Angeles-based firm, Quinn Emanuel. She is currently living in LA and, when she isn’t writing, practices law as the in-house counsel for the global men’s health charity, the Movember Foundation. |
Anonymous
| The motivation comes from the student. They do stuff way beyond what's needed or expected in grade school and middle school. And they just never have made anything but As in school. Typical TJ student |
Anonymous
| Out of curiousity, why is the GPA to apply so low? |
Anonymous
YOU need to be the type that doesn't need a crystal ball. And hope your son is too. TJ is not a golden ticket to get punched. The kids aren't that special |
Anonymous
| Go ahead and try for this year -- you mean starting next year, right? most students do prep for the exam. And there are people coming in from outside the system (us) Graduating now. it helps to have really strong recs from teachers also. Even if it is only from this year. decide after DS gets in -- and go with your gut. GL. |
Anonymous
| PP ^^ It is a great school and many from Arlington are there. |
Anonymous
| Asians excel at TJ because they are smart and hard working. |
Anonymous
Heard from a TJ mom that her kid is amazed at the quality of the Asian kids in his/her class - not in a good way. Having a reeeally hard time with math and science... The kid wonders how in the world they got in. |