What are the new TJ feeders

[Anonymous]

The decisions are not race blind, there wouldn’t be a box for race if they were.

As for the comment about playing basketball for 5 hours… Basketballs are inexpensive and there are free courts all around. You don’t need the internet or transportation. Lots of kids are playing basketball, not many are doing math for fun. A smart kid is not seeing other kids doing math in that neighborhood. Environment matters and we all know it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, yes they considered “experience factors” when coming up with the 1.5% so they were not focusing on academic merit but instead on increasing diversity from underrepresented groups.

It’s really scary that a number of parents are reporting kids got in with just Algebra. My kid’s year, the number of kids who didn’t have Geometry was probably single digits. Even non-AP junior physics is Calc based at TJ, and even kids taking Calc junior year struggle first semester. TJ’s model is world renowned. They literally host physics teachers from around the world and train them in how to use TJ’s physics curriculum. I personally only know of one kid who went through junior physics while taking Math 4/5 (as opposed to taking geometry or TJ Math over the summer) and they got a D with heavy tutoring and were rejected ED from WM. Geosystems is required and assumes single variable Calc knowledge. So do several of the tech tracks and upper level CS.

My kid had to self teach basic Calc with Kahn Academy as summer homework before junior year as a requirement of physics.

Prior to this year, the only real reason they didn’t require Geometry was it wasn’t an option at some privates and some kids moving from OOS didn’t have access. Those kids were advised to take geometry over the summer. From FCPS, very few kids got in with just A1. It’s really hard to do any of the upper level classes without Calculus junior year at the latest.

Why bring kids in who can’t do the upper level classes.

Wow. My kid is one of those that got in to TJ this year with "just Algebra". He got into Level IV AAP with NO outside enrichment, tutoring, workbooks etc. and didn't take the IQ exam or whatever it is at a testing center or from a paid psychologist. He never did ANY supplemental work aside from his school work at a public school. He barely missed getting placed into Honors Algebra for 7th grade so had to take Honors Pre-Algebra. I'm sure if he had done some enrichment before the placement test in 6th grade he could've scored high enough to be placed into Algebra then would have had AAP/Honors Geometry for 8th grade. I'm sure he will have to work very hard at TJ. Probably even harder than those kids that are "superior" to him in math etc. But he wants to give it a try. If he decides to go back to his base school, I bet he will be just fine as well. Sib got into a HYPS from a top 10 FCPS high school (never even tried for TJ) without being a recruited athlete or superstar in anything and even had a B in a non-AP math class. And we aren't Black or Hispanic in case you're wondering. And not first generation. I guess my kids are "lucky" to benefit from holistic admissions. While I celebrate increased diversity of every kind, I do believe the change in TJ admissions policy is discriminatory.

Welcome to the bottom 10 percent at TJ. It ain’t fun.

+1. It’s hard to imagine going into a TJ with just Algebra I. Nobody is slowing down for your kid because he doesn’t have a grasp of basic Calculus by the beginning of junior year. Let alone pre-Calc and trig.

I would imagine after this year they will start making kids come in with Geometry. Otherwise it’s going to be a mess. I mean, you know they added 70 kids so they could drop back a significant percent of the class and still be okay. But I think they forget that behind every drop back is a Karen.

Probably old school way of thinking, no need to stir up the anxiety of class 2025, I'm sure the curriculums for them will be diversified too. TJ will have to accommodate the poster children, the teachers will have to adapt their methods of teaching and grading.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The decisions are not race blind, there wouldn’t be a box for race if they were.

As for the comment about playing basketball for 5 hours… Basketballs are inexpensive and there are free courts all around. You don’t need the internet or transportation. Lots of kids are playing basketball, not many are doing math for fun. A smart kid is not seeing other kids doing math in that neighborhood. Environment matters and we all know it.

Race is considered and the most important factor under the current admissions system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

+1. It’s hard to imagine going into a TJ with just Algebra I. Nobody is slowing down for your kid because he doesn’t have a grasp of basic Calculus by the beginning of junior year. Let alone pre-Calc and trig.

I would imagine after this year they will start making kids come in with Geometry. Otherwise it’s going to be a mess. I mean, you know they added 70 kids so they could drop back a significant percent of the class and still be okay. But I think they forget that behind every drop back is a Karen.

I thought the geometry requirement was dropped on order from the school board? That's what happened with LCPS and Academy of Loudoun.
Geometry requirement was deemed inequitable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

+1. It’s hard to imagine going into a TJ with just Algebra I. Nobody is slowing down for your kid because he doesn’t have a grasp of basic Calculus by the beginning of junior year. Let alone pre-Calc and trig.

I would imagine after this year they will start making kids come in with Geometry. Otherwise it’s going to be a mess. I mean, you know they added 70 kids so they could drop back a significant percent of the class and still be okay. But I think they forget that behind every drop back is a Karen.

I thought the geometry requirement was dropped on order from the school board? That's what happened with LCPS and Academy of Loudoun.
Geometry requirement was deemed inequitable.

Since the admission process is holistic, why can't they take a middle ground and not require geometry as such, but still heavily consider the child's math placement and any reasons why the child might not be taking geometry? If a kid is applying from private or recently moved to FCPS and thus wasn't eligible to take geometry in 8th, but otherwise has impeccable recommendations and has demonstrated excellence in math, that's one thing. Or, if a kid is in a MS that doesn't have many kids qualify for 7th grade Algebra, then allowing them in with 8th grade Algebra might be reasonable. Higher SES kids from Longfellow or Carson who have been in AAP since ES but who are only in Algebra I probably aren't very good at math and shouldn't be given admissions over the kids taking Geometry or Algebra II.

tl;dr. Requiring Geometry with no exceptions is bad. But so is completely ignoring the kid's math placement. The class of 2025 has way too many kids in with just Algebra, which in turn means that there will be entirely too many kids who aren't very good at math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

+1. It’s hard to imagine going into a TJ with just Algebra I. Nobody is slowing down for your kid because he doesn’t have a grasp of basic Calculus by the beginning of junior year. Let alone pre-Calc and trig.

I would imagine after this year they will start making kids come in with Geometry. Otherwise it’s going to be a mess. I mean, you know they added 70 kids so they could drop back a significant percent of the class and still be okay. But I think they forget that behind every drop back is a Karen.

I thought the geometry requirement was dropped on order from the school board? That's what happened with LCPS and Academy of Loudoun.
Geometry requirement was deemed inequitable.

Since the admission process is holistic, why can't they take a middle ground and not require geometry as such, but still heavily consider the child's math placement and any reasons why the child might not be taking geometry? If a kid is applying from private or recently moved to FCPS and thus wasn't eligible to take geometry in 8th, but otherwise has impeccable recommendations and has demonstrated excellence in math, that's one thing. Or, if a kid is in a MS that doesn't have many kids qualify for 7th grade Algebra, then allowing them in with 8th grade Algebra might be reasonable. Higher SES kids from Longfellow or Carson who have been in AAP since ES but who are only in Algebra I probably aren't very good at math and shouldn't be given admissions over the kids taking Geometry or Algebra II.

tl;dr. Requiring Geometry with no exceptions is bad. But so is completely ignoring the kid's math placement. The class of 2025 has way too many kids in with just Algebra, which in turn means that there will be entirely too many kids who aren't very good at math.

On the contrary rushing to geometry shouldn't be confused with aptitude. It's mostly about opportunity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

+1. It’s hard to imagine going into a TJ with just Algebra I. Nobody is slowing down for your kid because he doesn’t have a grasp of basic Calculus by the beginning of junior year. Let alone pre-Calc and trig.

I would imagine after this year they will start making kids come in with Geometry. Otherwise it’s going to be a mess. I mean, you know they added 70 kids so they could drop back a significant percent of the class and still be okay. But I think they forget that behind every drop back is a Karen.

I thought the geometry requirement was dropped on order from the school board? That's what happened with LCPS and Academy of Loudoun.
Geometry requirement was deemed inequitable.

Since the admission process is holistic, why can't they take a middle ground and not require geometry as such, but still heavily consider the child's math placement and any reasons why the child might not be taking geometry? If a kid is applying from private or recently moved to FCPS and thus wasn't eligible to take geometry in 8th, but otherwise has impeccable recommendations and has demonstrated excellence in math, that's one thing. Or, if a kid is in a MS that doesn't have many kids qualify for 7th grade Algebra, then allowing them in with 8th grade Algebra might be reasonable. Higher SES kids from Longfellow or Carson who have been in AAP since ES but who are only in Algebra I probably aren't very good at math and shouldn't be given admissions over the kids taking Geometry or Algebra II.

tl;dr. Requiring Geometry with no exceptions is bad. But so is completely ignoring the kid's math placement. The class of 2025 has way too many kids in with just Algebra, which in turn means that there will be entirely too many kids who aren't very good at math.

On the contrary rushing to geometry shouldn't be confused with aptitude. It's mostly about opportunity.

It's more about attitude than opportunity for taking the geometry. There were higher number of kids in class 2025 taking geometry during 2020 summer because they're confined at home, bored and frustrated with FCPS handling Covid remote learning. Lots of cautious families stopped the kids' team sport summer 2020, the high performance kids have the desire for learning. But for families would rely on opportunity mostly come from welfare, I'm sure they don't bother to check the free FCPS summer online campus, while whining high performance kids getting prepped.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

On the contrary rushing to geometry shouldn't be confused with aptitude. It's mostly about opportunity.

It isn't about opportunity rather than aptitude in FCPS. FCPS gives the kids all of the tools they would need to qualify for 7th grade algebra. Many kids in FCPS qualify for 7th grade Algebra with nothing beyond what they are taught in their advanced math classrooms.

Kids who are in 8th grade Algebra mostly fall into two categories: They either didn't qualify for 7th grade Algebra, which means they're not particularly great at math, or they wanted to take an easier math class in 7th, rather than taking the more challenging one. Neither situation suggests that the kid deserves a spot at TJ.

I would guess that most of the posters who are insisting that taking Algebra in 7th is more about prep than talent have kids who didn't pass the IAAT, but are still desperate to believe that their kids are super smart in math and deserve TJ spots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The decisions are not race blind, there wouldn’t be a box for race if they were.

As for the comment about playing basketball for 5 hours… Basketballs are inexpensive and there are free courts all around. You don’t need the internet or transportation. Lots of kids are playing basketball, not many are doing math for fun. A smart kid is not seeing other kids doing math in that neighborhood. Environment matters and we all know it.

Books are inexpensive and free libraries are all around not to mention tons of free resources on the internet.

[Anonymous]

i don't think that being in a more advanced math class in 7th and 8th grade is proof that a child belongs at TJ. STEM isn't just about math and other skills are needed to be successful. Parents just seem to be way over invested in proving that their children are better than everyone else and try to use the results of an arbitrary test or 2 to prove it, when most kids have talents and something to offer. I wish the best to the class of 2025.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i don't think that being in a more advanced math class in 7th and 8th grade is proof that a child belongs at TJ. STEM isn't just about math and other skills are needed to be successful. Parents just seem to be way over invested in proving that their children are better than everyone else and try to use the results of an arbitrary test or 2 to prove it, when most kids have talents and something to offer. I wish the best to the class of 2025.

There is no compelling case for TJHSST to exist at all by your logic. No meaningful difference between what you wrote and “School Board members just seem way over invested in proving non-Asian kids are as good as everyone else and try to use the results of a highly subjective application process to prove it…”

At least have the courage of your convictions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
So we are back to the fact that TJ is only for advantaged kids. Disadvantaged kids can neither compete in admissions nor even successfully attend the school. Not saying your completely off base. But is that the real purpose of a public high school? Of course not every kid has the chops for a selective magnet school. But should TJ give stronger consideration to a kid who took Algebra II in 8th grade over a kid who took geometry or even Algebra I? When all three kids have shown superior ability in math and want to go to TJ?

And just because a child was unable to participate in extracurriculars in elementary school and middle school doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t be able to in high school when such things require less support from parents.

TJ isn't just for advantaged kids, but it certainly isn't for severely disadvantaged kids, especially those who haven't shown the initiative to self-study or seek out opportunities. No rigorous program ever could be. Unless they water down TJ pretty significantly, those kids are being set up to fail.

Also, kids in Algebra I have not shown superior math ability. They're not in the top 10% in FCPS or really anywhere anymore. Algebra I in 8th is pretty average in most places. Kids getting accepted with Algebra I should be the exception and not the rule, and these kids should have some compelling reason for being below standard in math for an elite STEM magnet.

Middle school extracurriculars don't require anything at all from the parents. The kids stay after school for an hour and then take the late bus home. If they can't even do that in 8th grade, what makes you think that they'll be able to do so in 9th?

Latest class is 25% FARMS. I wonder how many are in the severely disadvantaged. It makes sense that severely disadvantaged kids with some holes to fill/some areas to catch up on will have a higher chance of encountering difficulties staying on top of the curriculum/assignments. More than the racial makeup changes, it was shocking to me that TJ went from less than 1 percent FARMS to one in four. One in four is a huge number. Will teachers adjust the level so too many don't get left behind?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
So we are back to the fact that TJ is only for advantaged kids. Disadvantaged kids can neither compete in admissions nor even successfully attend the school. Not saying your completely off base. But is that the real purpose of a public high school? Of course not every kid has the chops for a selective magnet school. But should TJ give stronger consideration to a kid who took Algebra II in 8th grade over a kid who took geometry or even Algebra I? When all three kids have shown superior ability in math and want to go to TJ?

And just because a child was unable to participate in extracurriculars in elementary school and middle school doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t be able to in high school when such things require less support from parents.

TJ isn't just for advantaged kids, but it certainly isn't for severely disadvantaged kids, especially those who haven't shown the initiative to self-study or seek out opportunities. No rigorous program ever could be. Unless they water down TJ pretty significantly, those kids are being set up to fail.

Also, kids in Algebra I have not shown superior math ability. They're not in the top 10% in FCPS or really anywhere anymore. Algebra I in 8th is pretty average in most places. Kids getting accepted with Algebra I should be the exception and not the rule, and these kids should have some compelling reason for being below standard in math for an elite STEM magnet.

Middle school extracurriculars don't require anything at all from the parents. The kids stay after school for an hour and then take the late bus home. If they can't even do that in 8th grade, what makes you think that they'll be able to do so in 9th?

Latest class is 25% FARMS. I wonder how many are in the severely disadvantaged. It makes sense that severely disadvantaged kids with some holes to fill/some areas to catch up on will have a higher chance of encountering difficulties staying on top of the curriculum/assignments. More than the racial makeup changes, it was shocking to me that TJ went from less than 1 percent FARMS to one in four. One in four is a huge number. Will teachers adjust the level so too many don't get left behind?

I have a recent TJ alum who almost had to drop back because he missed three weeks of school for emergency surgery. Short answer: no. Longer answer: no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
So we are back to the fact that TJ is only for advantaged kids. Disadvantaged kids can neither compete in admissions nor even successfully attend the school. Not saying your completely off base. But is that the real purpose of a public high school? Of course not every kid has the chops for a selective magnet school. But should TJ give stronger consideration to a kid who took Algebra II in 8th grade over a kid who took geometry or even Algebra I? When all three kids have shown superior ability in math and want to go to TJ?

And just because a child was unable to participate in extracurriculars in elementary school and middle school doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t be able to in high school when such things require less support from parents.

TJ isn't just for advantaged kids, but it certainly isn't for severely disadvantaged kids, especially those who haven't shown the initiative to self-study or seek out opportunities. No rigorous program ever could be. Unless they water down TJ pretty significantly, those kids are being set up to fail.

Also, kids in Algebra I have not shown superior math ability. They're not in the top 10% in FCPS or really anywhere anymore. Algebra I in 8th is pretty average in most places. Kids getting accepted with Algebra I should be the exception and not the rule, and these kids should have some compelling reason for being below standard in math for an elite STEM magnet.

Middle school extracurriculars don't require anything at all from the parents. The kids stay after school for an hour and then take the late bus home. If they can't even do that in 8th grade, what makes you think that they'll be able to do so in 9th?

Latest class is 25% FARMS. I wonder how many are in the severely disadvantaged. It makes sense that severely disadvantaged kids with some holes to fill/some areas to catch up on will have a higher chance of encountering difficulties staying on top of the curriculum/assignments. More than the racial makeup changes, it was shocking to me that TJ went from less than 1 percent FARMS to one in four. One in four is a huge number. Will teachers adjust the level so too many don't get left behind?

Did not realize that! Giving the admissions committee the benefit of the doubt, I'm assuming each of these kids is more than capable of managing well at TJ. I hope TJ and everyone involved (e.g. the PTSA) does everything necessary to make sure these kids are successful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The decisions are not race blind, there wouldn’t be a box for race if they were.

As for the comment about playing basketball for 5 hours… Basketballs are inexpensive and there are free courts all around. You don’t need the internet or transportation. Lots of kids are playing basketball, not many are doing math for fun. A smart kid is not seeing other kids doing math in that neighborhood. Environment matters and we all know it.

Race is considered and the most important factor under the current admissions system.

Considering race sounds illegal. I'm pretty sure they CAN'T do that and if they did there would be lawsuits.