APS high school or private?

[Anonymous]

I have a smart and motivated 7th grader with straight As in all intensified classes in APS. His test scores are 98-99th percentile. He has a couple of national STEM awards. He participates in sports but isn't a stand out. We're just starting to think about high school. Would you apply to private high schools? If so, which ones?

We're zoned for WL, but could consider TJ or Arl Tech. We have the financial ability to pay for a private high school, but know absolutely nothing about them as we're not from this area. As parents, we both have very good professional jobs, but no particular connections or hooks.

WWYD?

[Anonymous]

WL's IB program is less flexible and I think not a great fit for STEM focused kids. I would honestly suggest checking out Potomac School (which is in VA), they have a special STEM program. We are reasonably happy with APS high schools but honestly I do kind of regret not switching to private. In our case we did not think we would be able to afford it and by the time we realized we could, our kids did not want to switch and were doing well so we figured "why rock the boat." You could also do TJ, if your kid prepares for the test he will likely get in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WL's IB program is less flexible and I think not a great fit for STEM focused kids. I would honestly suggest checking out Potomac School (which is in VA), they have a special STEM program. We are reasonably happy with APS high schools but honestly I do kind of regret not switching to private. In our case we did not think we would be able to afford it and by the time we realized we could, our kids did not want to switch and were doing well so we figured "why rock the boat." You could also do TJ, if your kid prepares for the test he will likely get in.

Why do you think their kid would likely get in to TJ? APS only sends a handful from each school

[Anonymous]

If you're in bounds for WL, you can take more STEM focused AP classes at the school. No need to do IB which is a separate program. Students also get into top state and private (including ivy league) universities on an AP path at the school. The IB program is of course excellent for those highly motivated students, and there are elective courses open to all like IB Design Tech, which is a hands on STEM class.

[Anonymous]

We would go for Arlington Tech. It is a very good STEM school. Note that AT is not trying to be TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WL's IB program is less flexible and I think not a great fit for STEM focused kids. I would honestly suggest checking out Potomac School (which is in VA), they have a special STEM program. We are reasonably happy with APS high schools but honestly I do kind of regret not switching to private. In our case we did not think we would be able to afford it and by the time we realized we could, our kids did not want to switch and were doing well so we figured "why rock the boat." You could also do TJ, if your kid prepares for the test he will likely get in.

Why do you think their kid would likely get in to TJ? APS only sends a handful from each school

I think that because my kid got into TJ and does not sound nearly as impressive as OP's kid. If your kid prepares for the test (which does not require a prep class - there are examples of past questions online), and has top grades they should be fine. Of course, to be safe OP could also apply to private school. In the end our kid turned down TJ because the workload sounded miserable and he wanted more time to focus on STEM-related extracurriculars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WL's IB program is less flexible and I think not a great fit for STEM focused kids. I would honestly suggest checking out Potomac School (which is in VA), they have a special STEM program. We are reasonably happy with APS high schools but honestly I do kind of regret not switching to private. In our case we did not think we would be able to afford it and by the time we realized we could, our kids did not want to switch and were doing well so we figured "why rock the boat." You could also do TJ, if your kid prepares for the test he will likely get in.

Why do you think their kid would likely get in to TJ? APS only sends a handful from each school

I think that because my kid got into TJ and does not sound nearly as impressive as OP's kid. If your kid prepares for the test (which does not require a prep class - there are examples of past questions online), and has top grades they should be fine. Of course, to be safe OP could also apply to private school. In the end our kid turned down TJ because the workload sounded miserable and he wanted more time to focus on STEM-related extracurriculars.

I've also heard negative things about TJ and workload and culture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WL's IB program is less flexible and I think not a great fit for STEM focused kids. I would honestly suggest checking out Potomac School (which is in VA), they have a special STEM program. We are reasonably happy with APS high schools but honestly I do kind of regret not switching to private. In our case we did not think we would be able to afford it and by the time we realized we could, our kids did not want to switch and were doing well so we figured "why rock the boat." You could also do TJ, if your kid prepares for the test he will likely get in.

Doesn't Potomac want kids who are athletes? I feel like I've heard that expectation.

[Anonymous]

I would try to get a kid like that into TJ. What are national STEM awards in middle school? I do not have STEM kids.

Zero reason to pay for private if you can get the kid into TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WL's IB program is less flexible and I think not a great fit for STEM focused kids. I would honestly suggest checking out Potomac School (which is in VA), they have a special STEM program. We are reasonably happy with APS high schools but honestly I do kind of regret not switching to private. In our case we did not think we would be able to afford it and by the time we realized we could, our kids did not want to switch and were doing well so we figured "why rock the boat." You could also do TJ, if your kid prepares for the test he will likely get in.

Why do you think their kid would likely get in to TJ? APS only sends a handful from each school

I think that because my kid got into TJ and does not sound nearly as impressive as OP's kid. If your kid prepares for the test (which does not require a prep class - there are examples of past questions online), and has top grades they should be fine. Of course, to be safe OP could also apply to private school. In the end our kid turned down TJ because the workload sounded miserable and he wanted more time to focus on STEM-related extracurriculars.

I've also heard negative things about TJ and workload and culture.

It's not going to be any worse than a top private, which are grinders for sure. OP didn't really say whether they care about this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WL's IB program is less flexible and I think not a great fit for STEM focused kids. I would honestly suggest checking out Potomac School (which is in VA), they have a special STEM program. We are reasonably happy with APS high schools but honestly I do kind of regret not switching to private. In our case we did not think we would be able to afford it and by the time we realized we could, our kids did not want to switch and were doing well so we figured "why rock the boat." You could also do TJ, if your kid prepares for the test he will likely get in.

Why do you think their kid would likely get in to TJ? APS only sends a handful from each school

I think that because my kid got into TJ and does not sound nearly as impressive as OP's kid. If your kid prepares for the test (which does not require a prep class - there are examples of past questions online), and has top grades they should be fine. Of course, to be safe OP could also apply to private school. In the end our kid turned down TJ because the workload sounded miserable and he wanted more time to focus on STEM-related extracurriculars.

I've also heard negative things about TJ and workload and culture.

It's not going to be any worse than a top private, which are grinders for sure. OP didn't really say whether they care about this.

My kid is up for working hard, but I've heard that TJ is so burdensome that kids aren't able to do the ECs that they need to get into a top college. Presumably top privates are more balanced and a way find a way to make this work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We would go for Arlington Tech. It is a very good STEM school. Note that AT is not trying to be TJ.

Yes but admission to Arlington Tech is by lottery. Only 2 of my son's middle school friends got in, rest were waitlisted. I think there is a lottery for TJ also.

[Anonymous]

This kind of kid is going to be fine wherever he goes. It's a preference. Visit the schools and the info sessions and see what looks good to you and to him.

[Anonymous]

I have a kid who tests like yours, school is easy for them. Private school would have required pulling from college funds and I believe any school in Arlington can serve a kid like mine so we didn't seriously consider it. When we started to talk about high schools we talked about goals. They like to work a part-time gig after school, chill at home ,and participate in sports which makes TJ less desirable. They also don't like competition style math and science (sounds like your kid does though). They know they will need to pursue a graduate degree and the Dual-enrollment/associates degree program at Arlington Tech is appealing because it will get them to grad school more quickly.
My advice is to apply for everything and decide later.

[Anonymous]

We are in the same position with one 1 in private and 1 in APS. I will say that your kid will be a dime a dozen at WL and the college app process will be worse than being in a smaller private. You'll have 50-100 kids applying to the same school as your kid as opposed to private... and you'll get more individual attention for the college process at a private. APS does pretty much nothing but send you webcasts to view to prepare for college apps.