Transfer from TJ to Base HS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The question is why is math so much harder at TJ than the base school. Are they doing higher level math or is there just more math?

Math remains math whether at TJ or in a base school. The big difference is at TJ the teachers have an obligation to teach it at an indepth level as it is a stem magnate school. At TJ, teachers are not constrained by arbitrary homework time limits, as they are at base schools. Where as at base school the teachers hands are tied with how much homework can be assigned on a daily basis per subject. Here is the FCPS base school policy:

"To ensure that student homework falls within FCPS regulations, middle school teachers should plan for homework not to exceed 25 minutes per class block, and high school teachers should plan for homework not to exceed 30 minutes per class block. Reading assignments are considered part of the homework load. Long-term projects may require additional time. Teachers should adjust daily homework assignments accordingly."

Many base school math teachers dont consistently assign daily homework, and when they do, it often falls short of the minimum allowed. This reluctance to assign homework primarily stems from teachers' desire to avoid potential confrontations with ignorant parents who misconstrue homework assignments as a substitute for classroom instruction as opposed to complementing it. Unfortunately, the FCPS board, as dumb as it is, sides with these contentious parents, and implements these homework time limitations.

At TJ, all teachers, including math instructors, are exempt from these restrictive time limits. Mastery of mathematical concepts demands time, which is limited during class periods, necessitating additional homework as an indispensable component. Learning a math concept involves three crucial aspects: grasping the concept, achieving proficiency through accuracy and speed, and learning how to apply that concept. In-class teachers primarily focus on introducing and explaining concepts, leaving the proficiency and application components to be addressed through textbook problems and follow on in-class reviews of difficult problems.

TJ's teachers possess the flexibility to ensure a comprehensive end-to-end math learning process through a balanced combination of classroom instruction, essential homework assignments, and periodic assessments such as quizzes and unit tests. Unfortunately, math instruction at base schools has become politicized to an extent where unreasonable time limits impede teachers from assigning the necessary amount of homework. Teachers are even prohibited from assigning the recommended amount of homework by the College Board for AP courses. Here's what the College Board recommends for AP courses, highlighting the disparity with FCPS's homework limits:

https://centrevillehs.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/inline-files/math-course-expect-AP-Honors.pdf

Is'nt "Challenge Success" program implemented at TJHSST to de-couple workload and rigor. The workload (or class/home work) should be manageable (limited) after that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The question is why is math so much harder at TJ than the base school. Are they doing higher level math or is there just more math?

Math remains math whether at TJ or in a base school. The big difference is at TJ the teachers have an obligation to teach it at an indepth level as it is a stem magnate school. At TJ, teachers are not constrained by arbitrary homework time limits, as they are at base schools. Where as at base school the teachers hands are tied with how much homework can be assigned on a daily basis per subject. Here is the FCPS base school policy:

"To ensure that student homework falls within FCPS regulations, middle school teachers should plan for homework not to exceed 25 minutes per class block, and high school teachers should plan for homework not to exceed 30 minutes per class block. Reading assignments are considered part of the homework load. Long-term projects may require additional time. Teachers should adjust daily homework assignments accordingly."

Many base school math teachers dont consistently assign daily homework, and when they do, it often falls short of the minimum allowed. This reluctance to assign homework primarily stems from teachers' desire to avoid potential confrontations with ignorant parents who misconstrue homework assignments as a substitute for classroom instruction as opposed to complementing it. Unfortunately, the FCPS board, as dumb as it is, sides with these contentious parents, and implements these homework time limitations.

At TJ, all teachers, including math instructors, are exempt from these restrictive time limits. Mastery of mathematical concepts demands time, which is limited during class periods, necessitating additional homework as an indispensable component. Learning a math concept involves three crucial aspects: grasping the concept, achieving proficiency through accuracy and speed, and learning how to apply that concept. In-class teachers primarily focus on introducing and explaining concepts, leaving the proficiency and application components to be addressed through textbook problems and follow on in-class reviews of difficult problems.

TJ's teachers possess the flexibility to ensure a comprehensive end-to-end math learning process through a balanced combination of classroom instruction, essential homework assignments, and periodic assessments such as quizzes and unit tests. Unfortunately, math instruction at base schools has become politicized to an extent where unreasonable time limits impede teachers from assigning the necessary amount of homework. Teachers are even prohibited from assigning the recommended amount of homework by the College Board for AP courses. Here's what the College Board recommends for AP courses, highlighting the disparity with FCPS's homework limits:

https://centrevillehs.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/inline-files/math-course-expect-AP-Honors.pdf

Is'nt "Challenge Success" program implemented at TJHSST to de-couple workload and rigor. The workload (or class/home work) should be manageable (limited) after that.

Yes, it is much more manageable now. Some of the non-math courses that aren't prerequisites for other advanced courses now have proportioned homework load.

[Anonymous]

Parent of Sr at TJ.

Many kids take private lessons to make thr the math at TJ. Its our dirty lil secret.

its cool that the teachers at TJ challenge the students to think and also provide support etc

but a C on M4 will kill T20 applications. no way around it.

its not like Hogwarts, in that sense. more like hunger games. the folks who do well in math move on to the next round for T20

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parent of Sr at TJ.

Many kids take private lessons to make thr the math at TJ. Its our dirty lil secret.

its cool that the teachers at TJ challenge the students to think and also provide support etc

but a C on M4 will kill T20 applications. no way around it.

its not like Hogwarts, in that sense. more like hunger games. the folks who do well in math move on to the next round for T20

Private lessons from who? Can you be kind enough to post a few recommendations. It would help struggling equity kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is almost always far better to be a great student at a good school than a good student at a great school.

And the most important school you attend is the last school you attend.

Wrong. The most important is that you finish the last years of rising your child so that they are happy, well adjusted, kind, honest and balanced.

+ 1000....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parent of Sr at TJ.

Many kids take private lessons to make thr the math at TJ. Its our dirty lil secret.

its cool that the teachers at TJ challenge the students to think and also provide support etc

but a C on M4 will kill T20 applications. no way around it.

its not like Hogwarts, in that sense. more like hunger games. the folks who do well in math move on to the next round for T20

T20? TJ is not an Ivy feeder, never has been. Only fools think it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parent of Sr at TJ.

Many kids take private lessons to make thr the math at TJ. Its our dirty lil secret.

its cool that the teachers at TJ challenge the students to think and also provide support etc

but a C on M4 will kill T20 applications. no way around it.

its not like Hogwarts, in that sense. more like hunger games. the folks who do well in math move on to the next round for T20

T20? TJ is not an Ivy feeder, never has been. Only fools think it is.

Most TJ students want to go into engineering schools or at least rigorous STEM schools which the Ivies have been very behind in. Carnegie Mellon or GA Tech are much better CS schools than most Ivies.

[Anonymous]

Here are the CS rankings. Where are the Ivies?

https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/computer-science-rankings

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here are the CS rankings. Where are the Ivies?

https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/computer-science-rankings

Cornell and Princeton are high up there for CS rankings. (Columbia and Harvard lower on the list).

[Anonymous]

OP, what do you wish you and your DC would have known before applying or accepting a spot at TJ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, what do you wish you and your DC would have known before applying or accepting a spot at TJ?

Not OP, and that's an excellent question. It's not in the best interests for anyone to try TJ for a year, and then return to base school. OP's kid seems to be doing fine and hasn't experienced anything atypical for TJ. So, did TJ pull a bait and switch at the open houses and info sessions? Did they make it seem like it wouldn't be as rigorous as it is, and that the norm is getting almost all As? Is it that parents all assume their kid will be a top performer, and they're stunned when that isn't the case? Is it that parents are assuming that their child should be very well prepared for TJ, based on MS grades and the TJ acceptance, only to find out that it isn't the case? What's the disconnect between what prospective TJ families are expecting and what TJ is actually like?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what do you wish you and your DC would have known before applying or accepting a spot at TJ?

Not OP, and that's an excellent question. It's not in the best interests for anyone to try TJ for a year, and then return to base school. OP's kid seems to be doing fine and hasn't experienced anything atypical for TJ. So, did TJ pull a bait and switch at the open houses and info sessions? Did they make it seem like it wouldn't be as rigorous as it is, and that the norm is getting almost all As? Is it that parents all assume their kid will be a top performer, and they're stunned when that isn't the case? Is it that parents are assuming that their child should be very well prepared for TJ, based on MS grades and the TJ acceptance, only to find out that it isn't the case? What's the disconnect between what prospective TJ families are expecting and what TJ is actually like?

This would be like explaining how sex would feel to a virgin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what do you wish you and your DC would have known before applying or accepting a spot at TJ?

Not OP, and that's an excellent question. It's not in the best interests for anyone to try TJ for a year, and then return to base school. OP's kid seems to be doing fine and hasn't experienced anything atypical for TJ. So, did TJ pull a bait and switch at the open houses and info sessions? Did they make it seem like it wouldn't be as rigorous as it is, and that the norm is getting almost all As? Is it that parents all assume their kid will be a top performer, and they're stunned when that isn't the case? Is it that parents are assuming that their child should be very well prepared for TJ, based on MS grades and the TJ acceptance, only to find out that it isn't the case? What's the disconnect between what prospective TJ families are expecting and what TJ is actually like?

It's like accepting my child into high school basketball team because of their proficiency in essay writing, only to realize that surviving on the court requires constant running, show endurance to run throughout the game, perform dribbling without losing,showing offensive skills, and shooting with accuracy from various distances. An evaluation of middle school basketball skills would have been logical selection criteria, but equity called for essay writing, leaving parents to wait for a year to understand where their child stands relative to the top half of the class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what do you wish you and your DC would have known before applying or accepting a spot at TJ?

Not OP, and that's an excellent question. It's not in the best interests for anyone to try TJ for a year, and then return to base school. OP's kid seems to be doing fine and hasn't experienced anything atypical for TJ. So, did TJ pull a bait and switch at the open houses and info sessions? Did they make it seem like it wouldn't be as rigorous as it is, and that the norm is getting almost all As? Is it that parents all assume their kid will be a top performer, and they're stunned when that isn't the case? Is it that parents are assuming that their child should be very well prepared for TJ, based on MS grades and the TJ acceptance, only to find out that it isn't the case? What's the disconnect between what prospective TJ families are expecting and what TJ is actually like?

It's like accepting my child into high school basketball team because of their proficiency in essay writing, only to realize that surviving on the court requires constant running, show endurance to run throughout the game, perform dribbling without losing,showing offensive skills, and shooting with accuracy from various distances. An evaluation of middle school basketball skills would have been logical selection criteria, but equity called for essay writing, leaving parents to wait for a year to understand where their child stands relative to the top half of the class.

Well shoot. Too bad that some too-smart-for-their-own-good students broke the math entrance exam. So this is what we've got.

[Anonymous]

I has one at a base and one at TJ. The base school graduate ended up faring better. Got so many AP courses and graduate college in 3 years, finishing masters in 1.5 and landing an awesome job. TJ grad regretted going there. With my 3rd we didn’t even bother applying.