TJ sports vs. academics

[Anonymous]

For more balanced students, who evenly distribute their time between sports, extracurriculars, friends n family, and academics, but aren’t the super book worm type, what are the chances of staying academically competitive enough to not end up in the lower third? How do colleges view the bottom third? Apparently academics really ramp up after the first two years, and by junior year there’s barely time for anything besides studying. And most students who continue sports at that point are the ones who've stopped worrying about their GPA. How true is this? In junior year and beyond, what percent of their time goes to just studying? Is it common to stay awake past midnight just to keep head above the water? If a student wants to keep doing sports seriously all four years, would they have to accept being in the lower tier of the class? Also, is there a natural tendency among students to prioritize competitive academic/STEM clubs over sports?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For more balanced students, who evenly distribute their time between sports, extracurriculars, friends n family, and academics, but aren’t the super book worm type, what are the chances of staying academically competitive enough to not end up in the lower third? How do colleges view the bottom third? Apparently academics really ramp up after the first two years, and by junior year there’s barely time for anything besides studying. And most students who continue sports at that point are the ones who've stopped worrying about their GPA. How true is this? In junior year and beyond, what percent of their time goes to just studying? Is it common to stay awake past midnight just to keep head above the water? If a student wants to keep doing sports seriously all four years, would they have to accept being in the lower tier of the class? Also, is there a natural tendency among students to prioritize competitive academic/STEM clubs over sports?

Only the very top few students can make academic clubs such as the Varsity Math Team and Olympiad competitions. Most students are not participating on academic teams. TJ has many sports teams and a lot of students are able to juggle sports/academics.

[Anonymous]

4 year varsity /= lower third. Plenty of athletes with good grades.

BUT it does mean that you will have less time for other things. Their socializing might largely revolve around their team during the season. And if they want to do club sports, it will be hard to balance with everything else they will want to do.

It's the "not super bookwork type" things that will be a problem. This is not rec level academics. It is one of the most rigorous programs in the country. Not the district, not the state, the country. It is not uncommon for kids to get a 5 on an AP exam and a B or even a C in the class. Kids that world cost through their base school with straight As might struggle to stay above a 3.5 uw.

They are less likely to get into UVA from TJ. However, they will be better prepared for whatever college they do end up at.

Just my opinion. YMMV

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:4 year varsity /= lower third. Plenty of athletes with good grades.

BUT it does mean that you will have less time for other things. Their socializing might largely revolve around their team during the season. And if they want to do club sports, it will be hard to balance with everything else they will want to do.

It's the "not super bookwork type" things that will be a problem. This is not rec level academics. It is one of the most rigorous programs in the country. Not the district, not the state, the country. It is not uncommon for kids to get a 5 on an AP exam and a B or even a C in the class. Kids that world cost through their base school with straight As might struggle to stay above a 3.5 uw.

They are less likely to get into UVA from TJ. However, they will be better prepared for whatever college they do end up at.

Just my opinion. YMMV

So he’d be better prepared than all kids at the base?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:4 year varsity /= lower third. Plenty of athletes with good grades.

BUT it does mean that you will have less time for other things. Their socializing might largely revolve around their team during the season. And if they want to do club sports, it will be hard to balance with everything else they will want to do.

It's the "not super bookwork type" things that will be a problem. This is not rec level academics. It is one of the most rigorous programs in the country. Not the district, not the state, the country. It is not uncommon for kids to get a 5 on an AP exam and a B or even a C in the class. Kids that world cost through their base school with straight As might struggle to stay above a 3.5 uw.

They are less likely to get into UVA from TJ. However, they will be better prepared for whatever college they do end up at.

Just my opinion. YMMV

So he’d be better prepared than all kids at the base?

Categorical statements are always hard to make but I believe that for the vast majority of kids that don't drown in the rigor, they will be better trained than if they had stayed at their base school. You still want to do well enough so you go to a college where that academic rigor can be put to use but, I believe so. The rigor trains you for the higher academic load of college over high school.

[Anonymous]

I have a DD who is a senior at TJ. Played a sport all 4 years (varsity 3rd and 4th year). Involved in a couple clubs during the off season that take up a lot of time as well. Close to 4.0 upga on a rigorous academic load. Smart but struggles with ADHD (most kids do it seems like). It's definitely doable not to be in the lower third. Time management is key but if you struggle with ADHD, the kid is going to procrastinate and stay up. A lot of what you are asking is kid dependent and what they want to do (spend their time on). You will find out what they can and can not handle when they are in it. It's tough to predict beforehand because kids (and priorities) change. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a DD who is a senior at TJ. Played a sport all 4 years (varsity 3rd and 4th year). Involved in a couple clubs during the off season that take up a lot of time as well. Close to 4.0 upga on a rigorous academic load. Smart but struggles with ADHD (most kids do it seems like). It's definitely doable not to be in the lower third. Time management is key but if you struggle with ADHD, the kid is going to procrastinate and stay up. A lot of what you are asking is kid dependent and what they want to do (spend their time on). You will find out what they can and can not handle when they are in it. It's tough to predict beforehand because kids (and priorities) change. Good luck!

Did you need to stay on top of her or she did it herself?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:4 year varsity /= lower third. Plenty of athletes with good grades.

BUT it does mean that you will have less time for other things. Their socializing might largely revolve around their team during the season. And if they want to do club sports, it will be hard to balance with everything else they will want to do.

It's the "not super bookwork type" things that will be a problem. This is not rec level academics. It is one of the most rigorous programs in the country. Not the district, not the state, the country. It is not uncommon for kids to get a 5 on an AP exam and a B or even a C in the class. Kids that world cost through their base school with straight As might struggle to stay above a 3.5 uw.

They are less likely to get into UVA from TJ. However, they will be better prepared for whatever college they do end up at.

Just my opinion. YMMV

So he’d be better prepared than all kids at the base?

Categorical statements are always hard to make but I believe that for the vast majority of kids that don't drown in the rigor, they will be better trained than if they had stayed at their base school. You still want to do well enough so you go to a college where that academic rigor can be put to use but, I believe so. The rigor trains you for the higher academic load of college over high school.

I don’t really see this as true. When I see the top kids at base schools receiving an award or in the news, their linkedin is impressive, as are their stats. Bright kids who challenge themselves in HS are well prepared for college in general across the board.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:4 year varsity /= lower third. Plenty of athletes with good grades.

BUT it does mean that you will have less time for other things. Their socializing might largely revolve around their team during the season. And if they want to do club sports, it will be hard to balance with everything else they will want to do.

It's the "not super bookwork type" things that will be a problem. This is not rec level academics. It is one of the most rigorous programs in the country. Not the district, not the state, the country. It is not uncommon for kids to get a 5 on an AP exam and a B or even a C in the class. Kids that world cost through their base school with straight As might struggle to stay above a 3.5 uw.

They are less likely to get into UVA from TJ. However, they will be better prepared for whatever college they do end up at.

Just my opinion. YMMV

So he’d be better prepared than all kids at the base?

Categorical statements are always hard to make but I believe that for the vast majority of kids that don't drown in the rigor, they will be better trained than if they had stayed at their base school. You still want to do well enough so you go to a college where that academic rigor can be put to use but, I believe so. The rigor trains you for the higher academic load of college over high school.

I don’t really see this as true. When I see the top kids at base schools receiving an award or in the news, their linkedin is impressive, as are their stats. Bright kids who challenge themselves in HS are well prepared for college in general across the board.

Top-tier base school students are every bit as capable of success in college as mid-to-lower tier TJ students. They're just going to have to work a lot harder than the TJ kids will relative to what they did in high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For more balanced students, who evenly distribute their time between sports, extracurriculars, friends n family, and academics, but aren’t the super book worm type, what are the chances of staying academically competitive enough to not end up in the lower third? How do colleges view the bottom third? Apparently academics really ramp up after the first two years, and by junior year there’s barely time for anything besides studying. And most students who continue sports at that point are the ones who've stopped worrying about their GPA. How true is this? In junior year and beyond, what percent of their time goes to just studying? Is it common to stay awake past midnight just to keep head above the water? If a student wants to keep doing sports seriously all four years, would they have to accept being in the lower tier of the class? Also, is there a natural tendency among students to prioritize competitive academic/STEM clubs over sports?

Speaking specifically about sports at TJ, a lot of students actually find that their grades improve during their active season because they are forced to execute on time management day in and day out. They still typically have weekends to themselves and their friend groups/family, but during the season, their schedule is tight and regimented and that enforced discipline is *really* productive.

They get out of season and their schedule opens up, and all of a sudden they become more distractable.

Partly for this reason, the athletes tend to be among the stronger groups in terms of college acceptances... it seems that schools really prize the ability to be successful in athletics *while* being very strong in the classroom at TJ. And unlike at base schools, the athletes can also participate in their ECs of choice because they mostly take place during 8th period.

[Anonymous]

Totally possible do be intensely involved in sports all four years and does not have to settle for "bottom third' in GPA. (AND bottom third according to GPA students have good college outcomes. Clemson, UC San Diego, BU).

Strongly agree that athletes often do best while they are in-season.

Have student at TJ, involved in sports at high school and also year-round club/travel. It's a great outlet for the academic intensity. But sometimes my kid is the only one on the club team studying en route to a meet or at the team hotel on a weekend.

The class is too big (550?) to say "most people" prioritize academic STEM clubs over sports. There are a lot of artists, dancers, political folks, activists there in addition to a lot of athletes. Tons of kids don't do academic/STEM clubs because classes/workload and labs/internship within the school cover those bases very well.

Some folks go all in on academics at TJ. But the class president is also likely to be the cross country captain. Or the iNite MC is likely to be musical's lead actress. Kind of like many other high schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:4 year varsity /= lower third. Plenty of athletes with good grades.

BUT it does mean that you will have less time for other things. Their socializing might largely revolve around their team during the season. And if they want to do club sports, it will be hard to balance with everything else they will want to do.

It's the "not super bookwork type" things that will be a problem. This is not rec level academics. It is one of the most rigorous programs in the country. Not the district, not the state, the country. It is not uncommon for kids to get a 5 on an AP exam and a B or even a C in the class. Kids that world cost through their base school with straight As might struggle to stay above a 3.5 uw.

They are less likely to get into UVA from TJ. However, they will be better prepared for whatever college they do end up at.

Just my opinion. YMMV

So he’d be better prepared than all kids at the base?

Categorical statements are always hard to make but I believe that for the vast majority of kids that don't drown in the rigor, they will be better trained than if they had stayed at their base school. You still want to do well enough so you go to a college where that academic rigor can be put to use but, I believe so. The rigor trains you for the higher academic load of college over high school.

I don’t really see this as true. When I see the top kids at base schools receiving an award or in the news, their linkedin is impressive, as are their stats. Bright kids who challenge themselves in HS are well prepared for college in general across the board.

Top-tier base school students are every bit as capable of success in college as mid-to-lower tier TJ students. They're just going to have to work a lot harder than the TJ kids will relative to what they did in high school.

You’ve lost it. You really have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:4 year varsity /= lower third. Plenty of athletes with good grades.

BUT it does mean that you will have less time for other things. Their socializing might largely revolve around their team during the season. And if they want to do club sports, it will be hard to balance with everything else they will want to do.

It's the "not super bookwork type" things that will be a problem. This is not rec level academics. It is one of the most rigorous programs in the country. Not the district, not the state, the country. It is not uncommon for kids to get a 5 on an AP exam and a B or even a C in the class. Kids that world cost through their base school with straight As might struggle to stay above a 3.5 uw.

They are less likely to get into UVA from TJ. However, they will be better prepared for whatever college they do end up at.

Just my opinion. YMMV

So he’d be better prepared than all kids at the base?

Categorical statements are always hard to make but I believe that for the vast majority of kids that don't drown in the rigor, they will be better trained than if they had stayed at their base school. You still want to do well enough so you go to a college where that academic rigor can be put to use but, I believe so. The rigor trains you for the higher academic load of college over high school.

I don’t really see this as true. When I see the top kids at base schools receiving an award or in the news, their linkedin is impressive, as are their stats. Bright kids who challenge themselves in HS are well prepared for college in general across the board.

Top-tier base school students are every bit as capable of success in college as mid-to-lower tier TJ students. They're just going to have to work a lot harder than the TJ kids will relative to what they did in high school.

You’ve lost it. You really have.

I understand not thinking the base school kids are up to snuff, but to be honest they tend to be right in that neighborhood, and solidly above the bottom tier. They're nothing to sneeze at.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a DD who is a senior at TJ. Played a sport all 4 years (varsity 3rd and 4th year). Involved in a couple clubs during the off season that take up a lot of time as well. Close to 4.0 upga on a rigorous academic load. Smart but struggles with ADHD (most kids do it seems like). It's definitely doable not to be in the lower third. Time management is key but if you struggle with ADHD, the kid is going to procrastinate and stay up. A lot of what you are asking is kid dependent and what they want to do (spend their time on). You will find out what they can and can not handle when they are in it. It's tough to predict beforehand because kids (and priorities) change. Good luck!

Did you need to stay on top of her or she did it herself?

PP here. I think whenever you have a student who is involved in many different ec's, it has to be a joint (parents and child) effort. Having meals ready on the ride home from practice, relieving them of their chores when they have tests to study for, etc is all parental related help so I guess you could conceivably say that she did it herself but it certainly did not happen in a vacuum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:4 year varsity /= lower third. Plenty of athletes with good grades.

BUT it does mean that you will have less time for other things. Their socializing might largely revolve around their team during the season. And if they want to do club sports, it will be hard to balance with everything else they will want to do.

It's the "not super bookwork type" things that will be a problem. This is not rec level academics. It is one of the most rigorous programs in the country. Not the district, not the state, the country. It is not uncommon for kids to get a 5 on an AP exam and a B or even a C in the class. Kids that world cost through their base school with straight As might struggle to stay above a 3.5 uw.

They are less likely to get into UVA from TJ. However, they will be better prepared for whatever college they do end up at.

Just my opinion. YMMV

So he’d be better prepared than all kids at the base?

Categorical statements are always hard to make but I believe that for the vast majority of kids that don't drown in the rigor, they will be better trained than if they had stayed at their base school. You still want to do well enough so you go to a college where that academic rigor can be put to use but, I believe so. The rigor trains you for the higher academic load of college over high school.

I don’t really see this as true. When I see the top kids at base schools receiving an award or in the news, their linkedin is impressive, as are their stats. Bright kids who challenge themselves in HS are well prepared for college in general across the board.

Top-tier base school students are every bit as capable of success in college as mid-to-lower tier TJ students. They're just going to have to work a lot harder than the TJ kids will relative to what they did in high school.

You’ve lost it. You really have.

I understand not thinking the base school kids are up to snuff, but to be honest they tend to be right in that neighborhood, and solidly above the bottom tier. They're nothing to sneeze at.

You’ve lost it.