Jay Mathews: Did money keep student out of top school? [TJ]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New technology such as the Android phones and tablets for the new Mobile & Web App Development Lab; Surface Pro 3 computers for the Energy Systems Lab; bioinformatics software package for the Biotechnology Lab’s genome machine; and the SeeMeCNC printer for Energy Systems.

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!

[Anonymous]

tested semifinalist admitted % of tested admitted % of semifinalists admitted
Carson 239 178 83 35% 47%
Rocky Run 179 133 56 31% 42%
Longfellow 166 126 54 33% 43%
Kilmer 165 106 32 19% 30%
Frost 103 67 23 22% 34%
Lake Braddock 89 58 15 17% 26%
Jackson 74 42 12 16% 29%
Twain 81 30 11 14% 37%

Longfellow, Kilmer and Jackson are not that far. 69%, so approx. 3 out of 4

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also - isn't any application process a "game" of sorts? Don't you think you'd want to consider what the audience might be looking for whether it's an application for a high school, college, or job? People looking for work have different resumes for different types of positions. Is that bad? Or smart? My hunch is the family assumed TJ admissions because of strong grades since pre-K, an inquisitive spirit, good test taking skills, and strong outside interests (even if not school-based). Not a bad likelihood but it didn't turn out. This is why we told our DC who expressed interest in TJ to keep grades up, get involved in things that interest you, but do NOT count on getting in TJ. All you can do is prepare. But after that - like any admissions process, job hunt, election, ball game - there's a bit of randomness to the process. You could be the best applicant ever on paper and still not get in for who knows what reason. Just like a bad bounce of the ball from a glove can cost the World Series. This is life. Filing a FOIA request to determine just how high your kid's SAT scores are is over the top. It also wastes taxpayer dollars to have government employees respond to the request. What if everyone did that? And so now they know he's 36th in Fairfax County for what that is worth. There are more than 3,000 counties in the US according to Google. Still a steep climb for HYP admissions and you can't FOIA their materials.

^^White Tiger Dad

Indeed.

Albino Tiger Dad

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

tested semifinalist admitted % of tested admitted % of semifinalists admitted
Carson 239 178 83 35% 47%
Rocky Run 179 133 56 31% 42%
Longfellow 166 126 54 33% 43%
Kilmer 165 106 32 19% 30%
Frost 103 67 23 22% 34%
Lake Braddock 89 58 15 17% 26%
Jackson 74 42 12 16% 29%
Twain 81 30 11 14% 37%

Longfellow, Kilmer and Jackson are not that far. 69%, so approx. 3 out of 4

I would say Lake Braddock, Frost, and Twain are not that far, but Longfellow, Kilmer, and Jackson are farther and require travel on the beltway during rush hour to get to TJ. Really, the only schools on that list which are close enough for kids to have a fairly easy commute to TJ are Lake Braddock, Frost, and Twain.

[Anonymous]

So, less than 50 kids per class may have a relatively easy commute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, less than 50 kids per class may have a relatively easy commute.

No pain, no gain. Anything worthwhile takes some effort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, less than 50 kids per class may have a relatively easy commute.

if your kid is not willing to put in the extra effort to achieve something, the kid is not learning the value of hard work and persistence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, less than 50 kids per class may have a relatively easy commute.

if your kid is not willing to put in the extra effort to achieve something, the kid is not learning the value of hard work and persistence.

Some kids conclude they can invest that time and extra effort in achieving something closer to home, among peers whom they like and respect more.

[Anonymous]

Some kids conclude they can invest that time and extra effort in achieving something closer to home, among peers whom they like and respect more.

And, have a BALANCED life that includes family time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Some kids conclude they can invest that time and extra effort in achieving something closer to home, among peers whom they like and respect more.

And, have a BALANCED life that includes family time.

I think plenty of TJ kids have balanced life that includes family time. Probably more family time than non-TJ kids.

[Anonymous]

Probably more family time than non-TJ kids.

When?

[Anonymous]

DC went to Longfellow and takes bus from Langley to TJ. Not a harsh commute at all. And if we drive it's about 20-25 minutes. If there is bad traffic on beltway we use the express lanes. It's a very easy commute from McLean area.

[Anonymous]

The article and the father show a fundamental misunderstanding of Jefferson and its purpose. It is a science and tech school and is not an intended destination for the smartest kids in the county (e.g., supposed purpose of the AAP program). The "evidence" cited to show this kids is really smart (self-taught in Latin, skipping grades, high SAT verbal and writing schools, passing the AP literature exam without taking a course, playing tuba at a high level, etc.) do not suggest, in any way, that this kid needed a special science or math education. There is nothing to suggest that the admissions process failed with this kid. What people should take from this story is that there are smart kids throughout the county, and the mere fact that you kid gets into (or does not get into Jefferson) does not mean much with respect to their intelligence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless you have toured TJ 's labs

Have done that.

Anonymous wrote:and looked at the online course catalog (google it),

Have done that, too.

Anonymous wrote:you have no idea whether TJ is better for kids seriously interested in math and science

So I have done both of those prerequisites, as the PP states must be done.

Anonymous wrote: --- and the answer is that TJ is better for any kid wanting advanced studies at his home school in those subjects.

For a "kid wanting advanced studies in math and science" TJ may not necessarily be better than a kid staying at her/his home school.

My kid wants advanced studies in computer science and technology and can better meet these desires at the neighborhood high school, combined with opportunities for internships, extra-curricular activities and online coursework.

As was stated earlier in this thread, whether or not TJ is better than the neighborhood high school depends on the kid.

Some base schools offer multivariable calculus and matrix algebra but that 's about it as far as advanced post-AP courses in math and science. The base schools just do not have the "critical mass" of students or adequate teachers to offer other post AP courses beyond that such as "Advanced Math technique, Complex Variables, Differential Equations, Numerical Analysis etc.". Many teachers teaching post AP courses hold Ph.Ds in physics, chemistry, computer science etc. Some of them were university professors, In addition, I don't think the base schools offer post AP courses in science/computer science such as "Computational Physics, DNA Science, Neuroscience, Organic Chemistry, Artificial Intelligence, Parallel Computing etc.". Many TJ kids take these kinds of courses and use the knowledge in their scientific research not to mention all the equipments and facilities at various research labs some of which are not even found at colleges.

Only a handful of TJ kids are able to take these classes, because the vast majority of the kids who attend are on track to take Calc BC in 11th grade. A not insubstantial portion of the kids start with Algebra in 8th and consequently don't even get to Calc until senior year, and some of them don't even take BC, but AB.
And don't forget the 15-30% of TJ kids who are struggling with the math sequence and need remediation.
It's a highly unequal environment, and the mere fact that a kid got in doesn't mean he or she will take advanced classes not available elsewhere. It does guarantee that the kid will be in the bottom half of the class if he/she wasn't ready for the competition.

[Anonymous]

You know that 15-30% number is wrong, right?