TJ Graduation Requirements - READ if your student doesn’t like Science or Math
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Anonymous
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Many people whose children were accepted to TJ appear shocked to know that AP Calculus is required at TJ.
Math: 4 years of math - Does not include Algebra 1 which is required for application/admission. Math sequence must terminate in at least AP Calculus (AB or BC). Science - Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Geosystems are required courses for all students. Foreign Language: 3 years of the same language - Must have three consecutive years of the same language – Footnote #4 (2 years of 2 different languages does not apply for the TJ Diploma). World History/Social Studies: Courses completed to satisfy this requirement shall include U.S. and Virginia History, U.S. and Virginia Government, and World History/Geography I and World History/Geography II. AP World History satisfies the requirement for World History/Geography II. *****Please note that 9th graders do not take a course from this list unless it is their only free choice elective, meaning that your student will need to either complete summer school or use an elective in 10-12th grades to complete this requirement. Health/PE - 2 years Virtual Course Requirement - Students shall successfully complete one virtual course, which may be a noncredit-bearing course, or may be a course required to earn this diploma that is offered online. Fine Arts - not required Career and Technology Education - The credit is earned via Design & Technology required for all matriculating students. (this class is taken in 9th grade) 3 Required Electives: Computer Science, Senior Research/Mentorship, & an additional credit in Math, Science, Technology, Fine Arts, or a fourth consecutive credit in a world language must be taken to fulfill these ‘elective’ credits. 9th grade - one free elective (60% or more of students take the required computer science elective). 10th grade- two free electives if 3 years of world language have been completed. One free elective if world language requirement has not been completed. 11th grade - 3 free electives if wold language requirement is complete. 2 free electives if world language has not been completed. 12th - 3 free electives Free Electives must include - 1 history/studies course and 1 computer science elective. Students who complete the world language requirement before 10th grade have 7 free choice electives and 2 required electives (computer science and world history/social studies are the 2 required electives) Students who complete the world language requirement before 11th grade have 6 free choice electives and 2 required electives (computer science and world history/social studies are the 2 required electives) Students who don’t complete the world language requirement until they have finished 11th grade have 5 free choice electives and 2 required electives (computer science and world history/social studies are the 2 required electives) If your student takes band/orchestra this takes up most of their electives. To have more electives during the school year students often take PE during the summer before 9th/10th grade in order to have 2 additional credits available. ***these classes are all harder than at base high school. |
Anonymous
| Why in the world would someone who doesn’t like Science or Math go to TJ in the first place? |
Anonymous
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****I forgot to add that Economics and Personal Finance is also a required course. This can be taken over the summer as an online course, or your student can use one of their elective slots to fulfill this requirement.
Students may test out of the computer science/coding requirement. Students may earn credit for the foreign language requirement by taking the World Language Exam given once a year by FCPS. |
Anonymous
I have no idea!!!! Seems crazy to me. There is another post where people are asking about electives to take for students who don’t like math and people are shocked to find out AP Calculus is a REQUIRED course at TJ. One parent thought their kid could stop math at Algebra II and pulled her kid from TJ after 9th grade. |
Anonymous
Dp. I was going to say are there really people who go through life that willingly obtuse, but then I remembered there are. Sigh. |
Anonymous
| It seems like most TJ students are shooting for colleges that want 4 years of a foreign language, and likely the AP capstone. Are many really stopping at 3 years of a foreign language? |
Anonymous
| Love this info.. OP, thank you for the comprehensive list. I read it as a handy guide as the parent of a child who does love STEM. |
Anonymous
| Can they tkae their foreign language online? My kid has been taking Japanese but I know that TJ dropped that languge. |
Anonymous
Thank you for the information! Such important information should have been provided to 8th graders and parents at TJ application information session. |
Anonymous
You’re welcome  .
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Anonymous
The humanities courses at TJ, with the driven academic peer group, are an underrated part of the school. They're really good. |
Anonymous
Yes, foreign language credits can be taken online. My son is not at TJ yet, but from what everyone says Spanish is incredibly hard at TJ. Did your kid do the JIP Immersion Program? |
Anonymous
You can ask but that should be fine. Our friend is a present junior at TJ and he has taken his foreign language online. It’s not Japanese but that shouldn’t matter. |
Anonymous
+1 this is more useful than the webinar yesterday. |
Anonymous
NP. I’m the parent of a current freshman at TJ. He loves science, math, technology, and a challenge. TJ appears to be the perfect fit for him. He has mentioned a few kids who seem entirely focused on liberal arts, but their parents forced them to go to TJ for no other reason than the parents view TJ as “number one!” I agree with the PP: the information the OP provided should be clearly spelled out for all prospective TJ students going forward. |