What are the new TJ feeders

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a 7th grader at one of the three traditional TJ feeders. There were a lot of kids from our school who weren’t admitted to TJ, despite Algebra 2 (or in one case pre-Calc) in 8th, state and national STEM awards, state level science fair wins, years of robotics and placing at worlds, national debate placement, perfect grades in all AAP, state level music recognition, etc., etc. It’s pretty clear that being a strong Asian student attending a traditional feeder is nowstrong disadvantage. Mission accomplished FCPS.

6th and 7th grade parents are looking at some of the kids who were not accepted and are panicking because TJ took some very mediocre kids this year over some real academic rock stars. And now parents are making decisions on how to best help their kid for future admissions cycles. But, it’s all over the map. I’m hearing a lot of contradictory info, all of which is presented as definitive. So, maybe DCUM hive mind can answer questions parents at our MS are asking as they plan for next year:

The biggest question: It’s clear that course rigor and grades aren’t determining the top 1.5% (all AAP/honors kids with 4.0s in Highest level classes, including Algebra II or Pre-Calc in 8th are not getting in, while kids with standard (not honors) humanities and some Bs are. Way more than 1.5% of kids at our MS have 4.0s in all AAP honors and it doesn’t look like the 1.5% are chosen on pure academic merit. The only consistency seems to be that Asian kids who checked “multiracial” instead of “Asian” and white kids did much better in admissions and self-identified Asian kids did worse (we are not at a school with sizable Hispanic or a lack population). So, if it isn’t GPA and rigor, how are they determining top 1.5% in each MS? Principal choice? Are factors like race, ELL, FARMs, etc. considered in naming the top 1.5%? Extracurriculars? “Character”? Bringing the principal a latte each day? If GPA plays a role, is it weighted, like in HS (+.5 for honors)? No one seems to know. The lack of transparency is nuts.

What happens if you check multiracial, because everyone has a relative of a different race somewhere in their past? I know a couple parents who were unofficially advised by people high up in FCPS and the DOE to check multiracial and that seemed to have worked. Is there any downside? What happens if you apply for FARMs in 8th given that they don’t verify income?

Also, I don’t want to start an argument about the wisdom of the old feeder system. But, clearly having a 4.0 in all AAP, Algebra 2 in 8th, state STEM award kid apply next year from our current “TJ feeder” MS won’t work. No matter what my kid does or what he achieves, he doesn’t stand a chance. Meanwhile, his sibling is already at TJ. So, if it’s impossible to get in as a high performing Asian or white kid out of the old feeders, what are the new feeder MSs? The press release talked a lot about underrepresented MSs and how all FCPS MSs sent at least one kid. Which MSs are “underrepresented”? Which had trouble hitting 1.5%? Does this mean every kid at an “underrepresented” school who meets the pretty minimal new academic requirements and attends that school is accepted, full stop? Are any underrepresented MSs also AAP Centers or LLIV?

Also, you pupil place for MS? For example, do any of the schools having trouble getting 1.5% to apply have a foreign language or other program that allows for transfers? Or, can you transfer for an IB Middle Years program? If not, what does it take to establish residency? A lease only, or do you also need to change drivers license, voting location, etc?

And residency within a school zone is established as of when? Can my kid stay at their base MS for first semester, and then transfer second semester? When can they transfer back? After the SIS, etc are complete? Or do they have to wait for decisions?

Does anyone have any experience with a kid getting in from homeschool or a private this year?

Thanks for any insights. It feels like everyone is making plans for next year based on guesses or what they heard 4th hand, but have decided must be true. But, there is no actual info.

Thanks for any answers.

OP, what’s wrong if your DC goes to their local HS. The old top feeders are zoned to top 10 HS as well. Your kid will outshine when it comes to college applications.

[Anonymous]

I would much rather send a kid to Langley, McLean, Chantilly or Oakton, the pyramids that sent the most kids to TJ, than TJ now. Have you seen how the TJ parents are fighting with each other over PTA seats? If some claimed it was a toxic environment before, they should buckle in for the coming years.

[Anonymous]

Have you read the threads about overcrowding at McLean? Trailers everywhere and no one in FCPS cares.

Anonymous wrote:I would much rather send a kid to Langley, McLean, Chantilly or Oakton, the pyramids that sent the most kids to TJ, than TJ now. Have you seen how the TJ parents are fighting with each other over PTA seats? If some claimed it was a toxic environment before, they should buckle in for the coming years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you read the threads about overcrowding at McLean? Trailers everywhere and no one in FCPS cares.

Anonymous wrote:I would much rather send a kid to Langley, McLean, Chantilly or Oakton, the pyramids that sent the most kids to TJ, than TJ now. Have you seen how the TJ parents are fighting with each other over PTA seats? If some claimed it was a toxic environment before, they should buckle in for the coming years.

The more students there are, the more classes are offered. That's good at a high school. Not a problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you read the threads about overcrowding at McLean? Trailers everywhere and no one in FCPS cares.

Anonymous wrote:I would much rather send a kid to Langley, McLean, Chantilly or Oakton, the pyramids that sent the most kids to TJ, than TJ now. Have you seen how the TJ parents are fighting with each other over PTA seats? If some claimed it was a toxic environment before, they should buckle in for the coming years.

The more students there are, the more classes are offered. That's good at a high school. Not a problem.

No, they are not offering more classes. They are increasing class sizes. Do everyone a favor and learn the issues at the base high schools. Your kid didn't get into TJ so you need to get involved.

[Anonymous]

For a FCPS newcomer, can you explain how AAP kids get to take Algebra in 6th, or was it 7th? Is there a request you need to fill out with the principal, or what exactly is the approach? Thank you very much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would much rather send a kid to Langley, McLean, Chantilly or Oakton, the pyramids that sent the most kids to TJ, than TJ now. Have you seen how the TJ parents are fighting with each other over PTA seats? If some claimed it was a toxic environment before, they should buckle in for the coming years.

Yes the parents at Langley and McLean are just the pictures of simple life.

The point is that there has to be some logic in TJ admissions, and they have to admit who they say they want to admit.

[Anonymous]

Did they say they will admit 1.5% top students? How exactly is this 1.5% determined? By grades? By what formula?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For a FCPS newcomer, can you explain how AAP kids get to take Algebra in 6th, or was it 7th? Is there a request you need to fill out with the principal, or what exactly is the approach? Thank you very much.

All kids are considered for 7th grade algebra. You only need to do well in both the SOL and Iowa in 6th grade. 6th and 5th grade algebra is trickier. You need to accelerate your kid early on with enrichment. Either something like kumon or mathnasium or just going over above grade level skills. Do this in kindergarten through second. By second your child should be a few years ahead in math. Then they should get a perfect or near perfect score on the quantitative section on the cogat. You see, the quantitative section is the easiest to influence with prepping. That’s really it. Then just bug the principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For a FCPS newcomer, can you explain how AAP kids get to take Algebra in 6th, or was it 7th? Is there a request you need to fill out with the principal, or what exactly is the approach? Thank you very much.

At the end of 4th grade, some kids are selected based on CogAT Q score, SOL scores, and teacher recommendation. These kids are given additional tests. If they pass, they skip AAP 5th grade math and join the AAP 6th graders for math while in 5th. They then have to pass IAAT and pass advance the 7th grade SOL while in 5th. If they complete all of this, they are eligible to take Algebra in 6th.

Parents don’t have input into the process. The school handles everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Nope. This just created parents like OP who thought they had figured out the recipe for getting into TJ. And they loved that it was harder to attain by most kids who went without the knowledge of the “secret” recipe and means to achieve it. This has nothing to do with talent.

What secret recipe? Being good at math?

If being advanced in math, getting straight As in the highest levels of classes offered by your school, and excelling in STEM competitions doesn't make a child TJ-worthy, then what does? Getting Bs? Taking regular classes? Failing to qualify for Algebra? Not even participating in STEM competitions or doing poorly? Have we entered bizarro world?

Maybe being a good happy child? And less boring and more creative?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Nope. This just created parents like OP who thought they had figured out the recipe for getting into TJ. And they loved that it was harder to attain by most kids who went without the knowledge of the “secret” recipe and means to achieve it. This has nothing to do with talent.

What secret recipe? Being good at math?

If being advanced in math, getting straight As in the highest levels of classes offered by your school, and excelling in STEM competitions doesn't make a child TJ-worthy, then what does? Getting Bs? Taking regular classes? Failing to qualify for Algebra? Not even participating in STEM competitions or doing poorly? Have we entered bizarro world?

Maybe being a good happy child? And less boring and more creative?

You like to think your child is happier than other children because the other children study?
Maybe... maybe they are happier than the kids that spend hours studying.
But they will they be happy living in your basement when they are 30 because they never learned discipline and hard work as children.
But, at least they have happy childhood memories that they can barely remember.

As for creativity. ROFLMAO.
Creativity is hard frustrating work and you have not prepared your children for that.
Your children consume content, they don't create it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would much rather send a kid to Langley, McLean, Chantilly or Oakton, the pyramids that sent the most kids to TJ, than TJ now. Have you seen how the TJ parents are fighting with each other over PTA seats? If some claimed it was a toxic environment before, they should buckle in for the coming years.

You sound bitter. Sour grapes is not a good look.

[Anonymous]

For the 1.5% that are admitted, do MS tell students they are in that 1.5%? Does TJ tell? Meaning, if 10 kids from a school get accepted, does little Larlo know was accepted as part of automatic 1.5% and Layla knows she wasn’t and was part of the other selection step?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a 7th grader at one of the three traditional TJ feeders. There were a lot of kids from our school who weren’t admitted to TJ, despite Algebra 2 (or in one case pre-Calc) in 8th, state and national STEM awards, state level science fair wins, years of robotics and placing at worlds, national debate placement, perfect grades in all AAP, state level music recognition, etc., etc. It’s pretty clear that being a strong Asian student attending a traditional feeder is nowstrong disadvantage. Mission accomplished FCPS.

6th and 7th grade parents are looking at some of the kids who were not accepted and are panicking because TJ took some very mediocre kids this year over some real academic rock stars. And now parents are making decisions on how to best help their kid for future admissions cycles. But, it’s all over the map. I’m hearing a lot of contradictory info, all of which is presented as definitive. So, maybe DCUM hive mind can answer questions parents at our MS are asking as they plan for next year:

The biggest question: It’s clear that course rigor and grades aren’t determining the top 1.5% (all AAP/honors kids with 4.0s in Highest level classes, including Algebra II or Pre-Calc in 8th are not getting in, while kids with standard (not honors) humanities and some Bs are. Way more than 1.5% of kids at our MS have 4.0s in all AAP honors and it doesn’t look like the 1.5% are chosen on pure academic merit. The only consistency seems to be that Asian kids who checked “multiracial” instead of “Asian” and white kids did much better in admissions and self-identified Asian kids did worse (we are not at a school with sizable Hispanic or a lack population). So, if it isn’t GPA and rigor, how are they determining top 1.5% in each MS? Principal choice? Are factors like race, ELL, FARMs, etc. considered in naming the top 1.5%? Extracurriculars? “Character”? Bringing the principal a latte each day? If GPA plays a role, is it weighted, like in HS (+.5 for honors)? No one seems to know. The lack of transparency is nuts.

What happens if you check multiracial, because everyone has a relative of a different race somewhere in their past? I know a couple parents who were unofficially advised by people high up in FCPS and the DOE to check multiracial and that seemed to have worked. Is there any downside? What happens if you apply for FARMs in 8th given that they don’t verify income?

Also, I don’t want to start an argument about the wisdom of the old feeder system. But, clearly having a 4.0 in all AAP, Algebra 2 in 8th, state STEM award kid apply next year from our current “TJ feeder” MS won’t work. No matter what my kid does or what he achieves, he doesn’t stand a chance. Meanwhile, his sibling is already at TJ. So, if it’s impossible to get in as a high performing Asian or white kid out of the old feeders, what are the new feeder MSs? The press release talked a lot about underrepresented MSs and how all FCPS MSs sent at least one kid. Which MSs are “underrepresented”? Which had trouble hitting 1.5%? Does this mean every kid at an “underrepresented” school who meets the pretty minimal new academic requirements and attends that school is accepted, full stop? Are any underrepresented MSs also AAP Centers or LLIV?

Also, you pupil place for MS? For example, do any of the schools having trouble getting 1.5% to apply have a foreign language or other program that allows for transfers? Or, can you transfer for an IB Middle Years program? If not, what does it take to establish residency? A lease only, or do you also need to change drivers license, voting location, etc?

And residency within a school zone is established as of when? Can my kid stay at their base MS for first semester, and then transfer second semester? When can they transfer back? After the SIS, etc are complete? Or do they have to wait for decisions?

Does anyone have any experience with a kid getting in from homeschool or a private this year?

Thanks for any insights. It feels like everyone is making plans for next year based on guesses or what they heard 4th hand, but have decided must be true. But, there is no actual info.

Thanks for any answers.

TJ feeders are the schools where enrolling in TJ prep classes is common.

Not true for my DC, who is a freshman and from one of the big 3 feeder MS.

Instead, he:

- was recommended by his elementary math teacher to try the AMC-8 competition and later try Math Counts. He enjoyed it, and he wanted to continue learning advanced math. This was all his idea.

- talked with MS friends he met through Math Counts, about TJ. Those kids talked about the single math question and the essay. I have no idea what he wrote on the essay (he is very private). But we didn’t coach him; again: this was all his idea.

DC found the math question really easy. However, he did say the wording last year was quite confusing and he could see how some students might have been tripped up by that. Some kids he had known from elementary were not able to finish the math question in time.

As a freshman, he is doing fine. TJ does not hand out A’s as easily as his MS did. He has to work for it now. My guess is he’s middle of the pack; maybe upper half. He likes TJ and really likes all his classmates.

He did say others are struggling and a few have talked about wanting to transfer to their base HS next year (if the parents will let them. Some parents won’t).

Plus, TJ has had a humbling effect on his entire cohort from his MS: those kids were accustomed to being the “big fish” while not realizing their MS was a very small pond. For every incoming TJ freshmen, there is always some other TJ student who is smarter.