Comparing TJ to Arlington Tech Governor’s STEM Academy

[Anonymous]

Was inspired by the Loudoun Academy thread, except we live in Arlington, not in Loudoun. Both are Governors schools. Both are STEM. So: how are these 2 in terms of their

academics
ECs
culture
sports ?

- is one better than the other for getting into the top colleges? (hypsm). Why or why not

[Anonymous]

in theory these high schools should be very similar because they governors’ schools and they focus on stem

[Anonymous]

The Governor's STEM Academies and the Governor's Schools have completely different missions and focuses - not very similar at all. In particular, it appears that the STEM academies are geared towards career and technical education.

Arlington Tech doesn't offer extracurriculars or sports - students do those at their home schools.

https://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching-learning-assessment/k-12-standards-instruction/career-and-technical-education-cte/governor-s-stem-academies

Feel free to do a 2-minute Google search before posting here...

[Anonymous]

Tech does have clubs, though they do go to home schools for sports. https://careercenter.apsva.us/clubs-activities-schedule/
We are also looking at both schools. I know (and know of) some really bright, impress kids at AT but it’s not the same cohort as TJ. There are also kids who struggle way more academically.

[Anonymous]

With respect to Arlington Tech and the Loudoun programs, they don't compare to TJ. They are not the same rigor or the same cohort or the same experience.

They could be a better fit for STEM focused kids who don't want a long commute or might feel a great deal of stress due to the classes and cohort. Plenty of bright kids don't want the TJ experience for a variety of reasons. But a kid that really wants TJ is not likely to think that Arlington Tech is a great substitute.

[Anonymous]

Arlington Tech is not vocational. Their website is very clear they are college preparatory.

Others are right that AT is not TJ - and it also is not trying to be TJ. It is a good option HS for STEM students in Arlington. It is not as much of a grind as TJ either.

Top 10% of TJ likely has better college admissions than top 10% of Arlington Tech. But much better to be top 20% of AT or Yorktown than to be bottom 50% of TJ.

[Anonymous]

Well looked again at the schools website.

Despite copying much of the titles and lingo of TJ, the website seems to admit the school prepares many students to become automotive mechanics, veterinary assistants, and low-level techs who set up A/V equipment.

Admissions do not appear to be competitive but rather, lottery-based.

It is not clear to me this school deserves the titles of either “Governor’s academy” or “STEM.”

[Anonymous]

Troll post