Can a school retaliate in the TJ admissions process

[Anonymous]

I'm one of those parents who always questions things. I am always opting out of stupid SEL nonsense, controversial books. and the like, and in general I don't allow the school to push their agenda to my kid. What I do however is just for my kid, I don't go public with all these, I always resolve the issues at the school level or at the FCPS admin level. In other words, I am not an activist, all I care about is that my child is instilled with our family values., but I always push back if I have to, and push back politely but firmly.
Would all these play a role to my kid's TJ admission process? Is there a chance that the school retaliates behind the scenes and "kills" my kid's chances, assume all else is equal?

[Anonymous]

Is AAP in a different building? That might help your chances, actually.

[Anonymous]

You aren't that special.

But I don't think you'll like the course material at TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You aren't that special.

But I don't think you'll like the course material at TJ.

Or the cohort.

[Anonymous]

No. There is no longer any sort of teacher rec. it is based solely on grades and the essays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. There is no longer any sort of teacher rec. it is based solely on grades and the essays.

This.

[Anonymous]

Is the school's input even considered? I don't think so...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm one of those parents who always questions things. I am always opting out of stupid SEL nonsense, controversial books. and the like, and in general I don't allow the school to push their agenda to my kid. What I do however is just for my kid, I don't go public with all these, I always resolve the issues at the school level or at the FCPS admin level. In other words, I am not an activist, all I care about is that my child is instilled with our family values., but I always push back if I have to, and push back politely but firmly.
Would all these play a role to my kid's TJ admission process? Is there a chance that the school retaliates behind the scenes and "kills" my kid's chances, assume all else is equal?

They don't see your kids name when they make the decision.

Some TJ parents are pretty vocal about being anti DEI Before and after their kid getting in.

If it makes you feel any better, admissions is a bit of a crapshoot, sort of random.

[Anonymous]

If you shield your child from controversial books, are you sure they are ready for a rigorous education that requires critical thinking?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm one of those parents who always questions things. I am always opting out of stupid SEL nonsense, controversial books. and the like, and in general I don't allow the school to push their agenda to my kid. What I do however is just for my kid, I don't go public with all these, I always resolve the issues at the school level or at the FCPS admin level. In other words, I am not an activist, all I care about is that my child is instilled with our family values., but I always push back if I have to, and push back politely but firmly.
Would all these play a role to my kid's TJ admission process? Is there a chance that the school retaliates behind the scenes and "kills" my kid's chances, assume all else is equal?

Your middle school is probably just waiting for your student to graduate so they won’t have to deal with you anymore. They likely don’t care whether your student gets into TJ, their base school, or somewhere else.

[Anonymous]

“Politely but firmly.” Oh I know your type. I think they would be glad to get rid of you and your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm one of those parents who always questions things. I am always opting out of stupid SEL nonsense, controversial books. and the like, and in general I don't allow the school to push their agenda to my kid. What I do however is just for my kid, I don't go public with all these, I always resolve the issues at the school level or at the FCPS admin level. In other words, I am not an activist, all I care about is that my child is instilled with our family values., but I always push back if I have to, and push back politely but firmly.
Would all these play a role to my kid's TJ admission process? Is there a chance that the school retaliates behind the scenes and "kills" my kid's chances, assume all else is equal?

Dismissing something as “stupid nonsense” is hardly polite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm one of those parents who always questions things. I am always opting out of stupid SEL nonsense, controversial books. and the like, and in general I don't allow the school to push their agenda to my kid. What I do however is just for my kid, I don't go public with all these, I always resolve the issues at the school level or at the FCPS admin level. In other words, I am not an activist, all I care about is that my child is instilled with our family values., but I always push back if I have to, and push back politely but firmly.
Would all these play a role to my kid's TJ admission process? Is there a chance that the school retaliates behind the scenes and "kills" my kid's chances, assume all else is equal?

Your poor child. Your child will push back HARD when they go to college. How embarrassing to have a parent want to modify an environment around a HS student. It tells me you raised your teen with a lack of trust and accountability to who they are. I trust my kids to make good decisions based on our family values, and they've never let me down. I don't care what they're reading; it won't change my kids' beliefs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm one of those parents who always questions things. I am always opting out of stupid SEL nonsense, controversial books. and the like, and in general I don't allow the school to push their agenda to my kid. What I do however is just for my kid, I don't go public with all these, I always resolve the issues at the school level or at the FCPS admin level. In other words, I am not an activist, all I care about is that my child is instilled with our family values., but I always push back if I have to, and push back politely but firmly.
Would all these play a role to my kid's TJ admission process? Is there a chance that the school retaliates behind the scenes and "kills" my kid's chances, assume all else is equal?

Dismissing something as “stupid nonsense” is hardly polite.

NP- It might not be polite but it's pretty apt when a school goes overboard with it, to the point that it takes too much time away from academics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm one of those parents who always questions things. I am always opting out of stupid SEL nonsense, controversial books. and the like, and in general I don't allow the school to push their agenda to my kid. What I do however is just for my kid, I don't go public with all these, I always resolve the issues at the school level or at the FCPS admin level. In other words, I am not an activist, all I care about is that my child is instilled with our family values., but I always push back if I have to, and push back politely but firmly.
Would all these play a role to my kid's TJ admission process? Is there a chance that the school retaliates behind the scenes and "kills" my kid's chances, assume all else is equal?

Your middle school is probably just waiting for your student to graduate so they won’t have to deal with you anymore. They likely don’t care whether your student gets into TJ, their base school, or somewhere else.

Lol. Anyone who takes school admin and teacher time to customize or complain about their child's education becomes a "we'll be glad when you're gone" candidate.

Just for the reason that your specialness and advocacy are taking time away from their core job - which is NOT parent relations.

I agree with those who say:

1) The school would be more indifferent or maybe even positive about moving you out

2) Quality teachers and admins do not punish kids for their parents' behaviors

3) You and your kid might have issues at TJ

Also, you should consider that if your child has demonstrated disrespect, evangelizing, or complaining about the current school...this could show up in evaluative feedback somewhere along the line.

Education of children is mainly a conformist experience. You can switch institutions to conform to different norms that suit you better. But basic human nature works against complainers.

You're right that a lot of SEL is b.s. but the goals are pro-social. So hard to speak out against without looking like an AH.