Top ranked at base school but bottom at TJ

[Anonymous]

DC is seeking confirmation on whether a middle school student with mostly A grades and a near-4.0 GPA, who will complete Algebra 1 in 8th grade, is likely to be among the top of the class after accepting their TJ offer. Based on feedback from current TJ parents, students entering with only Algebra 1 may face a steep learning curve to keep pace with peers who have progressed further in pre-calculus based math. How true is this?

[Anonymous]

I would not encourage a student who is taking Algebra 1 in 8th grade to attend TJ. They will not receive the benefit of attending the TJ only classes because they will not have the necessary math, which will hold them back on taking some of the needed science classes. I think the admissions needs to require geometry at a minimum for TJ. I know that there are people who argue that Geometry might not be enough for TJ, in order to get into some of the more advanced offerings but there are not enough kids in 8th grade taking past Geometry to fill a class, I suspect that Geometry is fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not encourage a student who is taking Algebra 1 in 8th grade to attend TJ. They will not receive the benefit of attending the TJ only classes because they will not have the necessary math, which will hold them back on taking some of the needed science classes. I think the admissions needs to require geometry at a minimum for TJ. I know that there are people who argue that Geometry might not be enough for TJ, in order to get into some of the more advanced offerings but there are not enough kids in 8th grade taking past Geometry to fill a class, I suspect that Geometry is fine.

Many parents here will encourage you to drop. This is not because it necessarily is in your child's interest but to create waitlist movement. They would not offer you a spot if your child was not in a strong position to do well. I would honestly reach out to TJ staff for more direct feedback.

[Anonymous]

DD is a junior there and my youngest has no interest (8th now and did not test so door is shut). My view is that kids set themselves up best for success at TJ if they come in with at least geometry completed. It’s possible to do otherwise - a few of DD’s have and she seems to think they are doing pretty well - but it’s definitely going to be tougher to be in the top half that way

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is seeking confirmation on whether a middle school student with mostly A grades and a near-4.0 GPA, who will complete Algebra 1 in 8th grade, is likely to be among the top of the class after accepting their TJ offer. Based on feedback from current TJ parents, students entering with only Algebra 1 may face a steep learning curve to keep pace with peers who have progressed further in pre-calculus based math. How true is this?

If you are that focused on being among the top of the class, TJ would be a nightmare.

Go to TJ if you love intense academics. If you have an eye on college admissions this early while in 8th grade, you are going to put you and your child through hell for the next 4 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not encourage a student who is taking Algebra 1 in 8th grade to attend TJ. They will not receive the benefit of attending the TJ only classes because they will not have the necessary math, which will hold them back on taking some of the needed science classes. I think the admissions needs to require geometry at a minimum for TJ. I know that there are people who argue that Geometry might not be enough for TJ, in order to get into some of the more advanced offerings but there are not enough kids in 8th grade taking past Geometry to fill a class, I suspect that Geometry is fine.

Many parents here will encourage you to drop. This is not because it necessarily is in your child's interest but to create waitlist movement. They would not offer you a spot if your child was not in a strong position to do well. I would honestly reach out to TJ staff for more direct feedback.

You are a broken record. You say the same thing if anyone gives advice to not attend TJ. We know kids in TJ, we know kids who have turned down TJ. The friends who have kids there strongly suggested that a kid should have Algebra II in 8th grade in order to really access TJs class offerings. One friends eldest did not and her sibling is taking Geometry this summer because the older sibling thinks it is that important. We are ignoring that advice because we want our kid to enjoy summer and TJ has always had kids who were taking Algebra 2 as Freshman. Kids taking Geometry as Freshmen is new.

TJ has a strong cohort, which benefits everyone who attends, but its real strength is specialized STEM classes that require higher level math. Kids who have Algebra 1 are less likely to be able to participate in some of the clubs or classes and are not going to have as many opportunities. A kid entering TJ with Algebra 1 is going to have fewer opportunities at TJ. It is up to the kids who are accepted to decide if the cohort is worth it.

[Anonymous]

You real can not receive any confirmation with the given information. A mostly A student at a less competitive middle school will not necessarily be as successful as a mostly A student at a tougher middle school. Also why are they mostly A is it cause they work hard or they have taken classes that aren’t challenging them? Honestly as a TJ alum I wouldn’t focus on where they will rank, instead think about whether it’s an environment and education they want. If they like STEM and enjoy challenging themselves go for it. If they would rather focus on humanities or want a wider breath of classes outside the STEM space or don’t like the idea of an insane commute consider other options. But at least when I was there TJ didn’t officially rank students, so when you submitted college applications you didn’t say where you were you just said my hs doesn’t rank. Frankly you didn’t know where you were, although I did hear that the two students who were tied for valedictorian were told that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not encourage a student who is taking Algebra 1 in 8th grade to attend TJ. They will not receive the benefit of attending the TJ only classes because they will not have the necessary math, which will hold them back on taking some of the needed science classes. I think the admissions needs to require geometry at a minimum for TJ. I know that there are people who argue that Geometry might not be enough for TJ, in order to get into some of the more advanced offerings but there are not enough kids in 8th grade taking past Geometry to fill a class, I suspect that Geometry is fine.

Many parents here will encourage you to drop. This is not because it necessarily is in your child's interest but to create waitlist movement. They would not offer you a spot if your child was not in a strong position to do well. I would honestly reach out to TJ staff for more direct feedback.

You are a broken record. You say the same thing if anyone gives advice to not attend TJ. We know kids in TJ, we know kids who have turned down TJ. The friends who have kids there strongly suggested that a kid should have Algebra II in 8th grade in order to really access TJs class offerings. One friends eldest did not and her sibling is taking Geometry this summer because the older sibling thinks it is that important. We are ignoring that advice because we want our kid to enjoy summer and TJ has always had kids who were taking Algebra 2 as Freshman. Kids taking Geometry as Freshmen is new.

TJ has a strong cohort, which benefits everyone who attends, but its real strength is specialized STEM classes that require higher level math. Kids who have Algebra 1 are less likely to be able to participate in some of the clubs or classes and are not going to have as many opportunities. A kid entering TJ with Algebra 1 is going to have fewer opportunities at TJ. It is up to the kids who are accepted to decide if the cohort is worth it.

No more so than the posters who discoruage others to drop out at every chance in the hopes their mediocre offspring get a spot off the waitlist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not encourage a student who is taking Algebra 1 in 8th grade to attend TJ. They will not receive the benefit of attending the TJ only classes because they will not have the necessary math, which will hold them back on taking some of the needed science classes. I think the admissions needs to require geometry at a minimum for TJ. I know that there are people who argue that Geometry might not be enough for TJ, in order to get into some of the more advanced offerings but there are not enough kids in 8th grade taking past Geometry to fill a class, I suspect that Geometry is fine.

Many parents here will encourage you to drop. This is not because it necessarily is in your child's interest but to create waitlist movement. They would not offer you a spot if your child was not in a strong position to do well. I would honestly reach out to TJ staff for more direct feedback.

You are a broken record. You say the same thing if anyone gives advice to not attend TJ. We know kids in TJ, we know kids who have turned down TJ. The friends who have kids there strongly suggested that a kid should have Algebra II in 8th grade in order to really access TJs class offerings. One friends eldest did not and her sibling is taking Geometry this summer because the older sibling thinks it is that important. We are ignoring that advice because we want our kid to enjoy summer and TJ has always had kids who were taking Algebra 2 as Freshman. Kids taking Geometry as Freshmen is new.

TJ has a strong cohort, which benefits everyone who attends, but its real strength is specialized STEM classes that require higher level math. Kids who have Algebra 1 are less likely to be able to participate in some of the clubs or classes and are not going to have as many opportunities. A kid entering TJ with Algebra 1 is going to have fewer opportunities at TJ. It is up to the kids who are accepted to decide if the cohort is worth it.

No more so than the posters who discoruage others to drop out at every chance in the hopes their mediocre offspring get a spot off the waitlist.

No kid who has applied for TJ is mediocre. They are all kids who have excelled at school through MS and are ahead in math. How well that translate to a competitive school like TJ depends a lot on the kids internal drive and willingness to push themselves. The reality is every kid accepted at TJ, including the kids on the wait list, are kids who have done well in school and are smart. They are not all geniuses but they are all in the top 10% of their MSs, many are in the top 1-5%. They all have the raw ability to do well at TJ. For some it will be more of a grind then others based on their own strengths and weaknesses.

I would be surprised if 10% of the kids who applied to TJ have parents on this board. I doubt that the board has that much influence.

[Anonymous]

I don't understand the "only Algebra I" mentality. Isn't that where most 8th graders are? If they're in Algebra II it's because they have passed the Iowa test, correct? My understanding is that the Iowa was a quick test that required them to face time constraints that were new to most kids. Mine fell just short of the threshold score, and because of that, could not jump ahead to anything more challenging - and finds that Algebra I really offered nothing new. It is quite the disappointment that so much weight was placed on that one test. So are we saying that now these kids in Algebra I are at a marked disadvantage at TJ? How unfortunate that one 20-min (or whatever it is) test would be the decider in how well they can do at a school, especially if they are naturally gifted in math. My DC has taken no outside math courses - just has been doing the curriculum presented in school and excelling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand the "only Algebra I" mentality. Isn't that where most 8th graders are? If they're in Algebra II it's because they have passed the Iowa test, correct? My understanding is that the Iowa was a quick test that required them to face time constraints that were new to most kids. Mine fell just short of the threshold score, and because of that, could not jump ahead to anything more challenging - and finds that Algebra I really offered nothing new. It is quite the disappointment that so much weight was placed on that one test. So are we saying that now these kids in Algebra I are at a marked disadvantage at TJ? How unfortunate that one 20-min (or whatever it is) test would be the decider in how well they can do at a school, especially if they are naturally gifted in math. My DC has taken no outside math courses - just has been doing the curriculum presented in school and excelling.

As a TJ grad who had many friends who were "only" in Geometry in 9th (before TJ changed the math curriculum), I find the attitude weird.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC is seeking confirmation on whether a middle school student with mostly A grades and a near-4.0 GPA, who will complete Algebra 1 in 8th grade, is likely to be among the top of the class after accepting their TJ offer. Based on feedback from current TJ parents, students entering with only Algebra 1 may face a steep learning curve to keep pace with peers who have progressed further in pre-calculus based math. How true is this?

If you are that focused on being among the top of the class, TJ would be a nightmare.

Go to TJ if you love intense academics. If you have an eye on college admissions this early while in 8th grade, you are going to put you and your child through hell for the next 4 years.

Agree completely with this assessment.

- TJ parent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand the "only Algebra I" mentality. Isn't that where most 8th graders are? If they're in Algebra II it's because they have passed the Iowa test, correct? My understanding is that the Iowa was a quick test that required them to face time constraints that were new to most kids. Mine fell just short of the threshold score, and because of that, could not jump ahead to anything more challenging - and finds that Algebra I really offered nothing new. It is quite the disappointment that so much weight was placed on that one test. So are we saying that now these kids in Algebra I are at a marked disadvantage at TJ? How unfortunate that one 20-min (or whatever it is) test would be the decider in how well they can do at a school, especially if they are naturally gifted in math. My DC has taken no outside math courses - just has been doing the curriculum presented in school and excelling.

Probably 20% of the 7th graders are taking Algebra 1 Honors and will have Geometry by the end of 8th grade. That puts them on track to take Calculus in 11th grade and leaves a year for a DE math class, like multivariate calculus. They could also be taking Physics C in 11th grade. The more ahead they are in math, the more access they have to the classes that are only offered at TJ because of those require Calculus. A student taking Algebra 1 in 8th grade will take Calculus as a senior and not be able to participate in many of the unique offerings at TJ.

The kids in Algebra II are kids who took Algebra in 6th grade or took Geometry the summer between 7th and 8th grade.

And it was not one test, kids needed the IAAT and to pass advanced on the SOL. Kids who missed on one or the other test but were close were allowed to take Algebra 1 H if they wanted to. Actually, any kid could take Algebra 1 H in 7th grade if their parents pushed for it, it just wasn't recommended for the majority of the kids. The IAAT is easy, my son was nervous the night before the test so we looked up a YouTube video on the test and the questions were a joke. Kids in Advanced Math should have been able to fly through them. The vast majority of the kids at my sons ES meet the threshold with a good number choosing not to take Algebra 1 H because they don't like math that much and their parents didn't think they needed to be taking DE math as seniors.

It used to be rare that kids who had completed Algebra 1 H in 8th grade attended TJ, that changed a few years ago. I have no clue how those kids feel about TJ, how many stayed and how many returned to their base school. We have not heard much on how they feel being there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand the "only Algebra I" mentality. Isn't that where most 8th graders are? If they're in Algebra II it's because they have passed the Iowa test, correct? My understanding is that the Iowa was a quick test that required them to face time constraints that were new to most kids. Mine fell just short of the threshold score, and because of that, could not jump ahead to anything more challenging - and finds that Algebra I really offered nothing new. It is quite the disappointment that so much weight was placed on that one test. So are we saying that now these kids in Algebra I are at a marked disadvantage at TJ? How unfortunate that one 20-min (or whatever it is) test would be the decider in how well they can do at a school, especially if they are naturally gifted in math. My DC has taken no outside math courses - just has been doing the curriculum presented in school and excelling.

Probably 20% of the 7th graders are taking Algebra 1 Honors and will have Geometry by the end of 8th grade. That puts them on track to take Calculus in 11th grade and leaves a year for a DE math class, like multivariate calculus. They could also be taking Physics C in 11th grade. The more ahead they are in math, the more access they have to the classes that are only offered at TJ because of those require Calculus. A student taking Algebra 1 in 8th grade will take Calculus as a senior and not be able to participate in many of the unique offerings at TJ.

The kids in Algebra II are kids who took Algebra in 6th grade or took Geometry the summer between 7th and 8th grade.

And it was not one test, kids needed the IAAT and to pass advanced on the SOL. Kids who missed on one or the other test but were close were allowed to take Algebra 1 H if they wanted to. Actually, any kid could take Algebra 1 H in 7th grade if their parents pushed for it, it just wasn't recommended for the majority of the kids. The IAAT is easy, my son was nervous the night before the test so we looked up a YouTube video on the test and the questions were a joke. Kids in Advanced Math should have been able to fly through them. The vast majority of the kids at my sons ES meet the threshold with a good number choosing not to take Algebra 1 H because they don't like math that much and their parents didn't think they needed to be taking DE math as seniors.

It used to be rare that kids who had completed Algebra 1 H in 8th grade attended TJ, that changed a few years ago. I have no clue how those kids feel about TJ, how many stayed and how many returned to their base school. We have not heard much on how they feel being there.

It was rare after it was fairly common. Used to be a substantial portion of the class did Geometry in 9th and TJ was considered the #1 high school in the nation during that period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is seeking confirmation on whether a middle school student with mostly A grades and a near-4.0 GPA, who will complete Algebra 1 in 8th grade, is likely to be among the top of the class after accepting their TJ offer. Based on feedback from current TJ parents, students entering with only Algebra 1 may face a steep learning curve to keep pace with peers who have progressed further in pre-calculus based math. How true is this?

First off, there's no such thing as class rank at TJ. It doesn't exist and it isn't calculated, so don't spend any time worrying about that. If your motivation is college - no matter what high school you're attending - STOP thinking about that until the end of your sophomore year and just focus on what you're doing in high school.

You'll have access to an excellent course load that, by the time you reach your senior year, will still be advanced well beyond what you could reasonably get at your high school, and mostly in the sciences and computer sciences. Yes, there are super-advanced math courses you won't have access to, but in science and CS, it's a very limited number of courses you won't be able to get to if you want. You'll have a chance to sample the amazing research facilities through electives in your sophomore and junior year, so you can figure out if you're really into data architecture or robotics or astronomy or oceanography or neuroscience, and then when you're a senior you'll get to complete a research project using college-level equipment with college-level faculty.

You'll probably have a much better idea than anyone at your base school of how you'd like to impact the world, which will help you find a course of study at the university level that matches with your needs rather than being hyper-concerned with rankings and prestige. You'll also have a pretty good shot to have mid-tier schools throwing money at you because a lot of them are desperate to bring in TJ talent and many of them have individual programs that are stellar even if they haven't reached a level of prestige yet.

TJ isn't always the best for college admissions, but it's fairly obviously the best for college success and eventually professional placement.