TJ parents - would your kid do it again? Best tips for success for a positive experience?

[Anonymous]

My kid graduated TJ a couple of years ago, white athletic nerd. I know this is trite but they found others like them there, more than they would have found at base HS. Kid got into a T10. We did not do much research and they did no prep. What did happen was that my kid found more STEM than just accelerated math. BTW it appeared, for my kid, the social life was great. And probably better than at base bc of their nerd factor.

[Anonymous]

PP - as to tips, join a sport/band that starts practice in the summer. That way they know people first day of school.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:TJ Parents - if your kid had a chance to go back and do it all again, would they? If yes, what was one of their favorite parts about TJ?

Any tips or hints for success -- not just academically, but to have a positive experience there?

Yes. Being around TJ kids. A lot of other brilliant kids with their own quirks. The chance to flourish socially where base school would not have been much harder on that front. If you are fine going to UVA or VT, it is great. If your kid has sights on HYPMS, then you are crippling your chances as there are easily 80 kids with perfect grades and SAT scores at 1580 or above that have nationally recognized honors from competitions or research.

Yet, every year TJ has the most number of HYPMS admits compared to any other base high school. Base school receives less than 5 offers, but TH averages between 25 to 50 offers, with tuition being the deciding factor for acceptance.

All true. Top 25 TJ students increase their chances of admission to HYPSM. For the next 100 TJ reduces their chances of HYPSM compared to base HS.

For next 100 top TJ students, the chances of T20 are ten times better than overall top 5% from base school, for competitive majors.

I would say higher for the next 25 (students ranked 26-50, 90-95th percentile), about even for the next 50 (80-90th percentile) and then it is significantly worse for the rest.

A student ranked 50th at TJ would have been the top 1 or 2 students at the base high school, that along with the much stronger recommendation letters from base HS, and much more leadership opportunities at base HS would give the advantage coming form base HS.

If you look at CDS, the top 10% by GPA makes up 97% to 98% of the class at the T20 schools. This is where unfortunately very good TJ students get dinged in admissions.

According to this:

Top 50 seniors in FCPS - every year - are the top 50 TJ students

Next top students in FCPS - every year - are TJ students starting at number 51

And then come the rest…included in that are the kids who are “#1” at their base schools only bc the TJ kids didn’t attend to take their top ranking spots away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ Parents - if your kid had a chance to go back and do it all again, would they? If yes, what was one of their favorite parts about TJ?

Any tips or hints for success -- not just academically, but to have a positive experience there?

Yes. Being around TJ kids. A lot of other brilliant kids with their own quirks. The chance to flourish socially where base school would not have been much harder on that front. If you are fine going to UVA or VT, it is great. If your kid has sights on HYPMS, then you are crippling your chances as there are easily 80 kids with perfect grades and SAT scores at 1580 or above that have nationally recognized honors from competitions or research.

Yet, every year TJ has the most number of HYPMS admits compared to any other base high school. Base school receives less than 5 offers, but TH averages between 25 to 50 offers, with tuition being the deciding factor for acceptance.

All true. Top 25 TJ students increase their chances of admission to HYPSM. For the next 100 TJ reduces their chances of HYPSM compared to base HS.

For next 100 top TJ students, the chances of T20 are ten times better than overall top 5% from base school, for competitive majors.

I would say higher for the next 25 (students ranked 26-50, 90-95th percentile), about even for the next 50 (80-90th percentile) and then it is significantly worse for the rest.

A student ranked 50th at TJ would have been the top 1 or 2 students at the base high school, that along with the much stronger recommendation letters from base HS, and much more leadership opportunities at base HS would give the advantage coming form base HS.

If you look at CDS, the top 10% by GPA makes up 97% to 98% of the class at the T20 schools. This is where unfortunately very good TJ students get dinged in admissions.

According to this:

Top 50 seniors in FCPS - every year - are the top 50 TJ students

Next top students in FCPS - every year - are TJ students starting at number 51

And then come the rest…included in that are the kids who are “#1” at their base schools only bc the TJ kids didn’t attend to take their top ranking spots away.

Dont take it that literally.

Of the top 50 kids in FCPS probably 30-45 are from TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ Parents - if your kid had a chance to go back and do it all again, would they? If yes, what was one of their favorite parts about TJ?

Any tips or hints for success -- not just academically, but to have a positive experience there?

Yes. Being around TJ kids. A lot of other brilliant kids with their own quirks. The chance to flourish socially where base school would not have been much harder on that front. If you are fine going to UVA or VT, it is great. If your kid has sights on HYPMS, then you are crippling your chances as there are easily 80 kids with perfect grades and SAT scores at 1580 or above that have nationally recognized honors from competitions or research.

Yet, every year TJ has the most number of HYPMS admits compared to any other base high school. Base school receives less than 5 offers, but TH averages between 25 to 50 offers, with tuition being the deciding factor for acceptance.

All true. Top 25 TJ students increase their chances of admission to HYPSM. For the next 100 TJ reduces their chances of HYPSM compared to base HS.

For next 100 top TJ students, the chances of T20 are ten times better than overall top 5% from base school, for competitive majors.

I would say higher for the next 25 (students ranked 26-50, 90-95th percentile), about even for the next 50 (80-90th percentile) and then it is significantly worse for the rest.

A student ranked 50th at TJ would have been the top 1 or 2 students at the base high school, that along with the much stronger recommendation letters from base HS, and much more leadership opportunities at base HS would give the advantage coming form base HS.

If you look at CDS, the top 10% by GPA makes up 97% to 98% of the class at the T20 schools. This is where unfortunately very good TJ students get dinged in admissions.

According to this:

Top 50 seniors in FCPS - every year - are the top 50 TJ students

Next top students in FCPS - every year - are TJ students starting at number 51

And then come the rest…included in that are the kids who are “#1” at their base schools only bc the TJ kids didn’t attend to take their top ranking spots away.

Dont take it that literally.

Of the top 50 kids in FCPS probably 30-45 are from TJ.

Ha ha - ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ Parents - if your kid had a chance to go back and do it all again, would they? If yes, what was one of their favorite parts about TJ?

Any tips or hints for success -- not just academically, but to have a positive experience there?

Yes. Being around TJ kids. A lot of other brilliant kids with their own quirks. The chance to flourish socially where base school would not have been much harder on that front. If you are fine going to UVA or VT, it is great. If your kid has sights on HYPMS, then you are crippling your chances as there are easily 80 kids with perfect grades and SAT scores at 1580 or above that have nationally recognized honors from competitions or research.

Yet, every year TJ has the most number of HYPMS admits compared to any other base high school. Base school receives less than 5 offers, but TH averages between 25 to 50 offers, with tuition being the deciding factor for acceptance.

All true. Top 25 TJ students increase their chances of admission to HYPSM. For the next 100 TJ reduces their chances of HYPSM compared to base HS.

For next 100 top TJ students, the chances of T20 are ten times better than overall top 5% from base school, for competitive majors.

I would say higher for the next 25 (students ranked 26-50, 90-95th percentile), about even for the next 50 (80-90th percentile) and then it is significantly worse for the rest.

A student ranked 50th at TJ would have been the top 1 or 2 students at the base high school, that along with the much stronger recommendation letters from base HS, and much more leadership opportunities at base HS would give the advantage coming form base HS.

If you look at CDS, the top 10% by GPA makes up 97% to 98% of the class at the T20 schools. This is where unfortunately very good TJ students get dinged in admissions.

According to this:

Top 50 seniors in FCPS - every year - are the top 50 TJ students

Next top students in FCPS - every year - are TJ students starting at number 51

And then come the rest…included in that are the kids who are “#1” at their base schools only bc the TJ kids didn’t attend to take their top ranking spots away.

Dont take it that literally.

Of the top 50 kids in FCPS probably 30-45 are from TJ.

That is literally what was said. A kid who is 50th at TJ would be #1 at the base school.

[Anonymous]

How difficult is navigating socially for a very smart, hard working, very quiet kid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ Parents - if your kid had a chance to go back and do it all again, would they? If yes, what was one of their favorite parts about TJ?

Any tips or hints for success -- not just academically, but to have a positive experience there?

Yes. Being around TJ kids. A lot of other brilliant kids with their own quirks. The chance to flourish socially where base school would not have been much harder on that front. If you are fine going to UVA or VT, it is great. If your kid has sights on HYPMS, then you are crippling your chances as there are easily 80 kids with perfect grades and SAT scores at 1580 or above that have nationally recognized honors from competitions or research.

Yet, every year TJ has the most number of HYPMS admits compared to any other base high school. Base school receives less than 5 offers, but TH averages between 25 to 50 offers, with tuition being the deciding factor for acceptance.

All true. Top 25 TJ students increase their chances of admission to HYPSM. For the next 100 TJ reduces their chances of HYPSM compared to base HS.

For next 100 top TJ students, the chances of T20 are ten times better than overall top 5% from base school, for competitive majors.

I would say higher for the next 25 (students ranked 26-50, 90-95th percentile), about even for the next 50 (80-90th percentile) and then it is significantly worse for the rest.

A student ranked 50th at TJ would have been the top 1 or 2 students at the base high school, that along with the much stronger recommendation letters from base HS, and much more leadership opportunities at base HS would give the advantage coming form base HS.

If you look at CDS, the top 10% by GPA makes up 97% to 98% of the class at the T20 schools. This is where unfortunately very good TJ students get dinged in admissions.

According to this:

Top 50 seniors in FCPS - every year - are the top 50 TJ students

Next top students in FCPS - every year - are TJ students starting at number 51

And then come the rest…included in that are the kids who are “#1” at their base schools only bc the TJ kids didn’t attend to take their top ranking spots away.

Dont take it that literally.

Of the top 50 kids in FCPS probably 30-45 are from TJ.

That is literally what was said. A kid who is 50th at TJ would be #1 at the base school.

You are an idiot!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ Parents - if your kid had a chance to go back and do it all again, would they? If yes, what was one of their favorite parts about TJ?

Any tips or hints for success -- not just academically, but to have a positive experience there?

Yes. Being around TJ kids. A lot of other brilliant kids with their own quirks. The chance to flourish socially where base school would not have been much harder on that front. If you are fine going to UVA or VT, it is great. If your kid has sights on HYPMS, then you are crippling your chances as there are easily 80 kids with perfect grades and SAT scores at 1580 or above that have nationally recognized honors from competitions or research.

Yet, every year TJ has the most number of HYPMS admits compared to any other base high school. Base school receives less than 5 offers, but TH averages between 25 to 50 offers, with tuition being the deciding factor for acceptance.

All true. Top 25 TJ students increase their chances of admission to HYPSM. For the next 100 TJ reduces their chances of HYPSM compared to base HS.

For next 100 top TJ students, the chances of T20 are ten times better than overall top 5% from base school, for competitive majors.

I would say higher for the next 25 (students ranked 26-50, 90-95th percentile), about even for the next 50 (80-90th percentile) and then it is significantly worse for the rest.

A student ranked 50th at TJ would have been the top 1 or 2 students at the base high school, that along with the much stronger recommendation letters from base HS, and much more leadership opportunities at base HS would give the advantage coming form base HS.

If you look at CDS, the top 10% by GPA makes up 97% to 98% of the class at the T20 schools. This is where unfortunately very good TJ students get dinged in admissions.

According to this:

Top 50 seniors in FCPS - every year - are the top 50 TJ students

Next top students in FCPS - every year - are TJ students starting at number 51

And then come the rest…included in that are the kids who are “#1” at their base schools only bc the TJ kids didn’t attend to take their top ranking spots away.

Dont take it that literally.

Of the top 50 kids in FCPS probably 30-45 are from TJ.

That is literally what was said. A kid who is 50th at TJ would be #1 at the base school.

You are an idiot!

Looks like you like looking down on all kinds of non TJers. I’m lumped right in with the best of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ Parents - if your kid had a chance to go back and do it all again, would they? If yes, what was one of their favorite parts about TJ?

Any tips or hints for success -- not just academically, but to have a positive experience there?

Yes. Being around TJ kids. A lot of other brilliant kids with their own quirks. The chance to flourish socially where base school would not have been much harder on that front. If you are fine going to UVA or VT, it is great. If your kid has sights on HYPMS, then you are crippling your chances as there are easily 80 kids with perfect grades and SAT scores at 1580 or above that have nationally recognized honors from competitions or research.

Yet, every year TJ has the most number of HYPMS admits compared to any other base high school. Base school receives less than 5 offers, but TH averages between 25 to 50 offers, with tuition being the deciding factor for acceptance.

All true. Top 25 TJ students increase their chances of admission to HYPSM. For the next 100 TJ reduces their chances of HYPSM compared to base HS.

For next 100 top TJ students, the chances of T20 are ten times better than overall top 5% from base school, for competitive majors.

I would say higher for the next 25 (students ranked 26-50, 90-95th percentile), about even for the next 50 (80-90th percentile) and then it is significantly worse for the rest.

A student ranked 50th at TJ would have been the top 1 or 2 students at the base high school, that along with the much stronger recommendation letters from base HS, and much more leadership opportunities at base HS would give the advantage coming form base HS.

If you look at CDS, the top 10% by GPA makes up 97% to 98% of the class at the T20 schools. This is where unfortunately very good TJ students get dinged in admissions.

According to this:

Top 50 seniors in FCPS - every year - are the top 50 TJ students

Next top students in FCPS - every year - are TJ students starting at number 51

And then come the rest…included in that are the kids who are “#1” at their base schools only bc the TJ kids didn’t attend to take their top ranking spots away.

Dont take it that literally.

Of the top 50 kids in FCPS probably 30-45 are from TJ.

That is literally what was said. A kid who is 50th at TJ would be #1 at the base school.

You are an idiot!

Looks like you like looking down on all kinds of non TJers. I’m lumped right in with the best of them.

What I said "A student ranked 50th at TJ would have been the top 1 or 2 students at the base high school"

Academically, that would be about what I expect. I had children both at base HS and TJ. One specific aspect is the ability to handle academic rigor, and I am talking only about that. Looking from this perspective, students who are very strong in this respect end up at TJ. "Top" means only that. It is not meant to be an insult to others. There are lots of other skills and abilities that are equally important, but we are not measuring that.

No I am not looking down at others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ Parents - if your kid had a chance to go back and do it all again, would they? If yes, what was one of their favorite parts about TJ?

Any tips or hints for success -- not just academically, but to have a positive experience there?

Yes. Being around TJ kids. A lot of other brilliant kids with their own quirks. The chance to flourish socially where base school would not have been much harder on that front. If you are fine going to UVA or VT, it is great. If your kid has sights on HYPMS, then you are crippling your chances as there are easily 80 kids with perfect grades and SAT scores at 1580 or above that have nationally recognized honors from competitions or research.

Yet, every year TJ has the most number of HYPMS admits compared to any other base high school. Base school receives less than 5 offers, but TH averages between 25 to 50 offers, with tuition being the deciding factor for acceptance.

All true. Top 25 TJ students increase their chances of admission to HYPSM. For the next 100 TJ reduces their chances of HYPSM compared to base HS.

For next 100 top TJ students, the chances of T20 are ten times better than overall top 5% from base school, for competitive majors.

I would say higher for the next 25 (students ranked 26-50, 90-95th percentile), about even for the next 50 (80-90th percentile) and then it is significantly worse for the rest.

A student ranked 50th at TJ would have been the top 1 or 2 students at the base high school, that along with the much stronger recommendation letters from base HS, and much more leadership opportunities at base HS would give the advantage coming form base HS.

If you look at CDS, the top 10% by GPA makes up 97% to 98% of the class at the T20 schools. This is where unfortunately very good TJ students get dinged in admissions.

According to this:

Top 50 seniors in FCPS - every year - are the top 50 TJ students

Next top students in FCPS - every year - are TJ students starting at number 51

And then come the rest…included in that are the kids who are “#1” at their base schools only bc the TJ kids didn’t attend to take their top ranking spots away.

Dont take it that literally.

Of the top 50 kids in FCPS probably 30-45 are from TJ.

That is literally what was said. A kid who is 50th at TJ would be #1 at the base school.

You are an idiot!

Looks like you like looking down on all kinds of non TJers. I’m lumped right in with the best of them.

What I said "A student ranked 50th at TJ would have been the top 1 or 2 students at the base high school"

Academically, that would be about what I expect. I had children both at base HS and TJ. One specific aspect is the ability to handle academic rigor, and I am talking only about that. Looking from this perspective, students who are very strong in this respect end up at TJ. "Top" means only that. It is not meant to be an insult to others. There are lots of other skills and abilities that are equally important, but we are not measuring that.

No I am not looking down at others.

How would you know that those are “the” strong ones?

It is not meritorious now.
Some really bright kids don’t apply.
Some really bright kids apply and don’t go.
Some really bright kids move here.

I assure you the top kids at all fcps schools are all top kids. Tj did not get only top kids or all the top kids, no matter how much you say otherwise. And…no, tj’s kids ranked 50+ wld not be ranked 1 or 2 at their base schools. Look some of those kids up. And kids ranked high at their base schools are not ranked highly or only getting into great schools bc they did not attend tj.

Who care if you had kids at both schools. You have zero clue what the top kids look like at base schools…literally zero.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ Parents - if your kid had a chance to go back and do it all again, would they? If yes, what was one of their favorite parts about TJ?

Any tips or hints for success -- not just academically, but to have a positive experience there?

Yes. Being around TJ kids. A lot of other brilliant kids with their own quirks. The chance to flourish socially where base school would not have been much harder on that front. If you are fine going to UVA or VT, it is great. If your kid has sights on HYPMS, then you are crippling your chances as there are easily 80 kids with perfect grades and SAT scores at 1580 or above that have nationally recognized honors from competitions or research.

Yet, every year TJ has the most number of HYPMS admits compared to any other base high school. Base school receives less than 5 offers, but TH averages between 25 to 50 offers, with tuition being the deciding factor for acceptance.

All true. Top 25 TJ students increase their chances of admission to HYPSM. For the next 100 TJ reduces their chances of HYPSM compared to base HS.

For next 100 top TJ students, the chances of T20 are ten times better than overall top 5% from base school, for competitive majors.

I would say higher for the next 25 (students ranked 26-50, 90-95th percentile), about even for the next 50 (80-90th percentile) and then it is significantly worse for the rest.

A student ranked 50th at TJ would have been the top 1 or 2 students at the base high school, that along with the much stronger recommendation letters from base HS, and much more leadership opportunities at base HS would give the advantage coming form base HS.

If you look at CDS, the top 10% by GPA makes up 97% to 98% of the class at the T20 schools. This is where unfortunately very good TJ students get dinged in admissions.

According to this:

Top 50 seniors in FCPS - every year - are the top 50 TJ students

Next top students in FCPS - every year - are TJ students starting at number 51

And then come the rest…included in that are the kids who are “#1” at their base schools only bc the TJ kids didn’t attend to take their top ranking spots away.

Dont take it that literally.

Of the top 50 kids in FCPS probably 30-45 are from TJ.

That is literally what was said. A kid who is 50th at TJ would be #1 at the base school.

You are an idiot!

Looks like you like looking down on all kinds of non TJers. I’m lumped right in with the best of them.

What I said "A student ranked 50th at TJ would have been the top 1 or 2 students at the base high school"

Academically, that would be about what I expect. I had children both at base HS and TJ. One specific aspect is the ability to handle academic rigor, and I am talking only about that. Looking from this perspective, students who are very strong in this respect end up at TJ. "Top" means only that. It is not meant to be an insult to others. There are lots of other skills and abilities that are equally important, but we are not measuring that.

No I am not looking down at others.

How would you know that those are “the” strong ones?

It is not meritorious now.
Some really bright kids don’t apply.
Some really bright kids apply and don’t go.
Some really bright kids move here.

I assure you the top kids at all fcps schools are all top kids. Tj did not get only top kids or all the top kids, no matter how much you say otherwise. And…no, tj’s kids ranked 50+ wld not be ranked 1 or 2 at their base schools. Look some of those kids up. And kids ranked high at their base schools are not ranked highly or only getting into great schools bc they did not attend tj.

Who care if you had kids at both schools. You have zero clue what the top kids look like at base schools…literally zero.

This is pure nonsense. Does not even make sense.

[Anonymous]

17 of the 27 FCPS Students Named National Merit Scholarship Winners were from TJ.

60%+ were from TJ. Look at other metrics from science, math, and other subjects, the vast majority were from TJ.

[Anonymous]

No terrible social scene. Hyper competitive in ways that don't matter IRL.. kid needed more interaction with social kids, not nerds.. Smart kids can be smart anywhere. Social skills need to be learned, preferably with same aged peers in school environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:17 of the 27 FCPS Students Named National Merit Scholarship Winners were from TJ.

60%+ were from TJ. Look at other metrics from science, math, and other subjects, the vast majority were from TJ.

From the old admissions or for 2025 with the new TJ admissions?