DC NMSFs 2025

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:JR and TJ are almost exactly the same size schools.

JR: 1 NMSF
TJ: 81 NMSF

TJ had more than all schools in DC but remember that DC is capped at 30-50 NMSFs.

How can they cap? The cut-off is always what the highest score is elsewhere (which this year was NJ at 23). What if 75 kids in DC got a 23?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if more schools will start offering summer PSAT prep programs. Seems like Banneker, McKinley Tech, BASIS, Latin, DCI, Truth, etc. would have a group of students who, with more prep, could have a shot at NMSF. It would be a good investment for the schools in that it could get them more publicity and applicants...a virtuous cycle.

Getting NMSF in DC (with the highest cut-off in the nation) means performing at the level of a 1590-1600 SAT.

If you can get a bunch of kids at these DC schools to that level with "more prep" then you will accomplish what educators in America have never been able to do and you will make the national news.

Exactly.

And this whole JR conversation is crazy. At minimum, it is the perspective of a couple of people who clearly are still burned up about covid policies AND have a very narrow view of the population of successful students at JR.

First, the idea that the 15 or whatever kids in the eighth grade Algebra 2 class are all of the “academic superstars” is ridiculous, for a million reasons, not least of which is that many kids who could go the hyper-accelerated math route choose not to. Many parents (me, I’m one of these parents) don’t think it’s the best way to do math instruction and that Calc BC in 11th grade is plenty accelerated.

Second, the fact that only one JR kid happened to score an essentially perfect PSAT score on a single test given on a single day is not an indictment of the rest of the class. Get a grip, people. If it had been three kids (which is what I think it was last year), would that have mattered materially? If a bunch of kids missed the cut off by one point, does that matter?

This is like yelling into the wind, but it’s crazy that a couple of people with tired, old bones to pick and very narrow perspectives are taken as authorities on the quality of JR’s student body.

The truth is the quality of JR’s body has absolutely gone down hill if you are talking about high performing kids. The trend has been lots more of these families are not tracking to JR with the advent of honors for all and dumbing down even more the curriculum.

Common knowledge and you seem to be in complete denial of it.

The J-R cohort that my kid hangs out with are incredibly smart; no different than the peers of my older DC who graduated a few years ago.

Your anecdotal experience does not dispute the fact that the percentage of high performing kids at a school with the highest concentration of UMC and UC families in the city is small.

Stats don’t lie and why for the size of the school, only 1 kid made it. Also look at SAT averages.

It was infinitely better than schools like Burke and Visitation that have significantly higher income families and had zero NMSFs.

Every year there are a bunch of people that make the same tired arguments about NMSF. Not sure what benefit you derive from it.

You’re determined to make excuses for this mediocre public school. One NMSF, out of a grade with 500+ students, is shameful. You’re just too defensive to admit it.

If this mediocre school isn’t good enough for your children - again, Blair magnet would be happy to have them.

DP. That mediocre school isn’t good enough for my children, that’s why we left DCPS after 8th grade for a Big 3.
Before you ask, I’m scrolling through the public school forum because my youngest child still attends a DC public school. My youngest will not attend JR either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if more schools will start offering summer PSAT prep programs. Seems like Banneker, McKinley Tech, BASIS, Latin, DCI, Truth, etc. would have a group of students who, with more prep, could have a shot at NMSF. It would be a good investment for the schools in that it could get them more publicity and applicants...a virtuous cycle.

Getting NMSF in DC (with the highest cut-off in the nation) means performing at the level of a 1590-1600 SAT.

If you can get a bunch of kids at these DC schools to that level with "more prep" then you will accomplish what educators in America have never been able to do and you will make the national news.

Exactly.

And this whole JR conversation is crazy. At minimum, it is the perspective of a couple of people who clearly are still burned up about covid policies AND have a very narrow view of the population of successful students at JR.

First, the idea that the 15 or whatever kids in the eighth grade Algebra 2 class are all of the “academic superstars” is ridiculous, for a million reasons, not least of which is that many kids who could go the hyper-accelerated math route choose not to. Many parents (me, I’m one of these parents) don’t think it’s the best way to do math instruction and that Calc BC in 11th grade is plenty accelerated.

Second, the fact that only one JR kid happened to score an essentially perfect PSAT score on a single test given on a single day is not an indictment of the rest of the class. Get a grip, people. If it had been three kids (which is what I think it was last year), would that have mattered materially? If a bunch of kids missed the cut off by one point, does that matter?

This is like yelling into the wind, but it’s crazy that a couple of people with tired, old bones to pick and very narrow perspectives are taken as authorities on the quality of JR’s student body.

The truth is the quality of JR’s body has absolutely gone down hill if you are talking about high performing kids. The trend has been lots more of these families are not tracking to JR with the advent of honors for all and dumbing down even more the curriculum.

Common knowledge and you seem to be in complete denial of it.

The J-R cohort that my kid hangs out with are incredibly smart; no different than the peers of my older DC who graduated a few years ago.

Your anecdotal experience does not dispute the fact that the percentage of high performing kids at a school with the highest concentration of UMC and UC families in the city is small.

Stats don’t lie and why for the size of the school, only 1 kid made it. Also look at SAT averages.

It was infinitely better than schools like Burke and Visitation that have significantly higher income families and had zero NMSFs.

Every year there are a bunch of people that make the same tired arguments about NMSF. Not sure what benefit you derive from it.

You’re determined to make excuses for this mediocre public school. One NMSF, out of a grade with 500+ students, is shameful. You’re just too defensive to admit it.

If this mediocre school isn’t good enough for your children - again, Blair magnet would be happy to have them.

DP. That mediocre school isn’t good enough for my children, that’s why we left DCPS after 8th grade for a Big 3.
Before you ask, I’m scrolling through the public school forum because my youngest child still attends a DC public school. My youngest will not attend JR either.

What kind of loser are you to be here then? You must not actually feel that confident in your children. Pathetic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if more schools will start offering summer PSAT prep programs. Seems like Banneker, McKinley Tech, BASIS, Latin, DCI, Truth, etc. would have a group of students who, with more prep, could have a shot at NMSF. It would be a good investment for the schools in that it could get them more publicity and applicants...a virtuous cycle.

Getting NMSF in DC (with the highest cut-off in the nation) means performing at the level of a 1590-1600 SAT.

If you can get a bunch of kids at these DC schools to that level with "more prep" then you will accomplish what educators in America have never been able to do and you will make the national news.

Exactly.

And this whole JR conversation is crazy. At minimum, it is the perspective of a couple of people who clearly are still burned up about covid policies AND have a very narrow view of the population of successful students at JR.

First, the idea that the 15 or whatever kids in the eighth grade Algebra 2 class are all of the “academic superstars” is ridiculous, for a million reasons, not least of which is that many kids who could go the hyper-accelerated math route choose not to. Many parents (me, I’m one of these parents) don’t think it’s the best way to do math instruction and that Calc BC in 11th grade is plenty accelerated.

Second, the fact that only one JR kid happened to score an essentially perfect PSAT score on a single test given on a single day is not an indictment of the rest of the class. Get a grip, people. If it had been three kids (which is what I think it was last year), would that have mattered materially? If a bunch of kids missed the cut off by one point, does that matter?

This is like yelling into the wind, but it’s crazy that a couple of people with tired, old bones to pick and very narrow perspectives are taken as authorities on the quality of JR’s student body.

The truth is the quality of JR’s body has absolutely gone down hill if you are talking about high performing kids. The trend has been lots more of these families are not tracking to JR with the advent of honors for all and dumbing down even more the curriculum.

Common knowledge and you seem to be in complete denial of it.

The J-R cohort that my kid hangs out with are incredibly smart; no different than the peers of my older DC who graduated a few years ago.

Your anecdotal experience does not dispute the fact that the percentage of high performing kids at a school with the highest concentration of UMC and UC families in the city is small.

Stats don’t lie and why for the size of the school, only 1 kid made it. Also look at SAT averages.

It was infinitely better than schools like Burke and Visitation that have significantly higher income families and had zero NMSFs.

Every year there are a bunch of people that make the same tired arguments about NMSF. Not sure what benefit you derive from it.

You’re determined to make excuses for this mediocre public school. One NMSF, out of a grade with 500+ students, is shameful. You’re just too defensive to admit it.

If this mediocre school isn’t good enough for your children - again, Blair magnet would be happy to have them.

DP. That mediocre school isn’t good enough for my children, that’s why we left DCPS after 8th grade for a Big 3.
Before you ask, I’m scrolling through the public school forum because my youngest child still attends a DC public school. My youngest will not attend JR either.

What kind of loser are you to be here then? You must not actually feel that confident in your children. Pathetic.

What kind of loser are you that JR is your best/only option? DCPS has very little to offer past 8th grade. Best of luck to your children!

[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:I wonder if more schools will start offering summer PSAT prep programs. Seems like Banneker, McKinley Tech, BASIS, Latin, DCI, Truth, etc. would have a group of students who, with more prep, could have a shot at NMSF. It would be a good investment for the schools in that it could get them more publicity and applicants...a virtuous cycle.

Getting NMSF in DC (with the highest cut-off in the nation) means performing at the level of a 1590-1600 SAT.

If you can get a bunch of kids at these DC schools to that level with "more prep" then you will accomplish what educators in America have never been able to do and you will make the national news.

Exactly.

And this whole JR conversation is crazy. At minimum, it is the perspective of a couple of people who clearly are still burned up about covid policies AND have a very narrow view of the population of successful students at JR.

First, the idea that the 15 or whatever kids in the eighth grade Algebra 2 class are all of the “academic superstars” is ridiculous, for a million reasons, not least of which is that many kids who could go the hyper-accelerated math route choose not to. Many parents (me, I’m one of these parents) don’t think it’s the best way to do math instruction and that Calc BC in 11th grade is plenty accelerated.

Second, the fact that only one JR kid happened to score an essentially perfect PSAT score on a single test given on a single day is not an indictment of the rest of the class. Get a grip, people. If it had been three kids (which is what I think it was last year), would that have mattered materially? If a bunch of kids missed the cut off by one point, does that matter?

This is like yelling into the wind, but it’s crazy that a couple of people with tired, old bones to pick and very narrow perspectives are taken as authorities on the quality of JR’s student body.

The truth is the quality of JR’s body has absolutely gone down hill if you are talking about high performing kids. The trend has been lots more of these families are not tracking to JR with the advent of honors for all and dumbing down even more the curriculum.

Common knowledge and you seem to be in complete denial of it.

The J-R cohort that my kid hangs out with are incredibly smart; no different than the peers of my older DC who graduated a few years ago.

Your anecdotal experience does not dispute the fact that the percentage of high performing kids at a school with the highest concentration of UMC and UC families in the city is small.

Stats don’t lie and why for the size of the school, only 1 kid made it. Also look at SAT averages.

It was infinitely better than schools like Burke and Visitation that have significantly higher income families and had zero NMSFs.

Every year there are a bunch of people that make the same tired arguments about NMSF. Not sure what benefit you derive from it.

You’re determined to make excuses for this mediocre public school. One NMSF, out of a grade with 500+ students, is shameful. You’re just too defensive to admit it.

If this mediocre school isn’t good enough for your children - again, Blair magnet would be happy to have them.

DP. That mediocre school isn’t good enough for my children, that’s why we left DCPS after 8th grade for a Big 3.
Before you ask, I’m scrolling through the public school forum because my youngest child still attends a DC public school. My youngest will not attend JR either.

What kind of loser are you to be here then? You must not actually feel that confident in your children. Pathetic.

What kind of loser are you that JR is your best/only option? DCPS has very little to offer past 8th grade. Best of luck to your children!

Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

[Anonymous]

JR is the only school in DC with a USAMO awardee, perhaps even qualifier, fancypants privates included. So there’s that. This whole debate is pointless. All it takes is one question off to Not qualify for NMSF. For those who have a beef with JR fine, feel free to send your kid elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:JR is the only school in DC with a USAMO awardee, perhaps even qualifier, fancypants privates included. So there’s that. This whole debate is pointless. All it takes is one question off to Not qualify for NMSF. For those who have a beef with JR fine, feel free to send your kid elsewhere.

Families who have other options already do so. Honestly, I feel bad for y’all (the families that can’t escape JR for greener pastures). There’s just so much mediocrity and lowered expectations at that school. Sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:JR is the only school in DC with a USAMO awardee, perhaps even qualifier, fancypants privates included. So there’s that. This whole debate is pointless. All it takes is one question off to Not qualify for NMSF. For those who have a beef with JR fine, feel free to send your kid elsewhere.

Families who have other options already do so. Honestly, I feel bad for y’all (the families that can’t escape JR for greener pastures). There’s just so much mediocrity and lowered expectations at that school. Sad.

Yep that was the original point that the majority of high performing kids already have left.

PP above, and it’s obvious it’s the same person, refuses to acknowledge this and why posters are responding yet at the same time telling people to leave. Ironic isn’t it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:JR is the only school in DC with a USAMO awardee, perhaps even qualifier, fancypants privates included. So there’s that. This whole debate is pointless. All it takes is one question off to Not qualify for NMSF. For those who have a beef with JR fine, feel free to send your kid elsewhere.

Families who have other options already do so. Honestly, I feel bad for y’all (the families that can’t escape JR for greener pastures). There’s just so much mediocrity and lowered expectations at that school. Sad.

Yep that was the original point that the majority of high performing kids already have left.

PP above, and it’s obvious it’s the same person, refuses to acknowledge this and why posters are responding yet at the same time telling people to leave. Ironic isn’t it?

You are surprised that current JR parents are salty that you are saying the school sucks?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:JR and TJ are almost exactly the same size schools.

JR: 1 NMSF
TJ: 81 NMSF

So…you admit TJ is superior to every school around here, including all Big3 schools, right?

81 is 20% of the class…that crushes everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:JR and TJ are almost exactly the same size schools.

JR: 1 NMSF
TJ: 81 NMSF

THIS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:JR and TJ are almost exactly the same size schools.

JR: 1 NMSF
TJ: 81 NMSF

THIS.

That TJ is the best high school in the DMV by a wide margin? Way better than all private schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:JR is the only school in DC with a USAMO awardee, perhaps even qualifier, fancypants privates included. So there’s that. This whole debate is pointless. All it takes is one question off to Not qualify for NMSF. For those who have a beef with JR fine, feel free to send your kid elsewhere.

Families who have other options already do so. Honestly, I feel bad for y’all (the families that can’t escape JR for greener pastures). There’s just so much mediocrity and lowered expectations at that school. Sad.

Yep that was the original point that the majority of high performing kids already have left.

PP above, and it’s obvious it’s the same person, refuses to acknowledge this and why posters are responding yet at the same time telling people to leave. Ironic isn’t it?

How pathetic are you to be trolling a school *your children do not attend* at 7:30am on a Sunday?

[Anonymous]

This thread is disgraceful. I can only hope all of these latest posters are in middle school. (although that is a bit of an insult to middle schoolers…)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:JR and TJ are almost exactly the same size schools.

JR: 1 NMSF
TJ: 81 NMSF

So…you admit TJ is superior to every school around here, including all Big3 schools, right?

81 is 20% of the class…that crushes everyone.

You understand that DC is not even allotted 81 spots, right? VA gets almost 400.