Should my daughter even apply to TJ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the responses PPs. I have peeked on this forum before and seen comments from parents about TJ being a place for only those who have a very high level of interest in STEM. My daughter likes STEM and is an A student but is not a math/computer-science obsessed kid. Wondering if there is room at TJ for kids like her who do well in school and enjoy being with peers with a keen sense intellectual curiosity, but not solely STEM focused. Also, would TJ nurture her creative side at all --- ie in creative writing? Are the English classes strong?

No there isn't. Seriously, read the Mission Statement or something. You could not be more off base here and why your daughter simply does not belong. It's literally called Thomas Jefferson High School FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. It's right in the name. This is not the place for you daughter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TJ honestly needs a few more kids who have STEM aptitude but interests elsewhere. I hope that your daughter will consider applying.

Stop. Just stop. It is a school for STEM-focused kids and luckily many of those kids also have wide and varied interests in other areas they dabble in (sports, music, etc.), but they are at TJ for the advanced STEM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would love to see the county look at a humanities focused specialized/honors high school (modern language, ancient language, increased focused on writing, etc). I went to one in NYC, and it was a fantastic education. This is a big county for just one honors HS. They could even aim to made it a combined a Humanities and Arts HS.

I would be angry if our tax dollars were wasted on a specialized high school for youngsters pursuing worthless majors.

I know a former TJ student teaching English. Her parents bribed her to attend with a new car if she graduated. Kid wanted nothing to do with TJ but had the grades and the ability and wanted the BMW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MIT grad here. I don't want my child to apply. Burn out is real and I'd rather they do that in college or grad school than high school.

That is interesting, PP. My DC is in 7th and was thinking to apply. However, like OP, I am concerned that TJ education may sacrifice humanities for STEM focus. Additionally, DC is very happy at current school and doing quite well. Would be shame to mess with current happiness.
Of course, I would not assume that a TJ admission is guaranteed. Given acceptance rates, I know that it is likely out of reach anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MIT grad here. I don't want my child to apply. Burn out is real and I'd rather they do that in college or grad school than high school.

Dear MIT grad,
Did you go to TJ? Your post does not indicate that you did so I have to assume you did not. I suspect you do want your children or future children to go to TJ or you wouldn't be on this page in the first place.
Best regards,
TJ Parent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MIT grad here. I don't want my child to apply. Burn out is real and I'd rather they do that in college or grad school than high school.

Dear MIT grad,
Did you go to TJ? Your post does not indicate that you did so I have to assume you did not. I suspect you do want your children or future children to go to TJ or you wouldn't be on this page in the first place.
Best regards,
TJ Parent

I don't know about the PP but my spouse and several friends went to TJ and burned out after - either dropped out of college, or finished but have dead end jobs. Burnout in HS is real. Spouse got back on track eventually but is adamant our kids won't attend. I got here from the Recent Topics because I'm interested in whether spouse is correct.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would love to see the county look at a humanities focused specialized/honors high school (modern language, ancient language, increased focused on writing, etc). I went to one in NYC, and it was a fantastic education. This is a big county for just one honors HS. They could even aim to made it a combined a Humanities and Arts HS.

I would be angry if our tax dollars were wasted on a specialized high school for youngsters pursuing worthless majors.

What an ignorant position. STEM is worthless (or harmful!) when not communicated well or not informed by history, ethics, and culture.

Critical thinking is endangered in this country. Even things you think we'd be good at, like understanding a scripted TV show, are beyond so many people because they have no experience with literary devices. Understanding medicine, statistics, or political conflict is beyond most, as we've seen. Honestly I think focusing on STEM at the HS level is foolish and outdated, like saying kids should all learn to code.

[Anonymous]

TJ encourages all students to be strong in the humanities and the arts. It has some fantastic English and History teachers, and many students focus on the humanities in college. The strong STEM background is a foundation for thinking critically.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TJ encourages all students to be strong in the humanities and the arts. It has some fantastic English and History teachers, and many students focus on the humanities in college. The strong STEM background is a foundation for thinking critically.

+1000.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She does fine in math and science (A's in Algebra with some effort -- not minimal, not crazy effort) but she is more interested in the arts -- creative writing, theater, art, dance etc. She is mildly interested in STEM. Would she be miserable at TJ? She is only thinking of applying because some of her friends are applying. She is in 7th grade. I know it's early to be thinking about this but wondering which path we should encourage her to take.

Thanks!

My nephew turned it down because of the toxicity. Also, in a minority group that is underrepresented so felt like he'd be more comfortable elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would love to see the county look at a humanities focused specialized/honors high school (modern language, ancient language, increased focused on writing, etc). I went to one in NYC, and it was a fantastic education. This is a big county for just one honors HS. They could even aim to made it a combined a Humanities and Arts HS.

I would be angry if our tax dollars were wasted on a specialized high school for youngsters pursuing worthless majors.

The alumni include numerous Nobel Prize winners and Pulitzer Prize winners. Among the most famous alum was Jonas Salk. It has a college attrition rate of 100% with more than 10% (on average) of each class going on to an ivy league. The high school consistently ranks among the best public high schools in the country. A humanities based education is not a waste.
And as for the arts, the LaGuardia High School for performing arts has an alumni list that is just as impressive -- a who's who of Hollywood.
Not every child is going into STEM, but we should celebrate and encourage talented students across the county to find their passion and make us proud.
Lin-Manuel Miranda went to a different honors high school, but not one focused on STEM. But another shining example of the NYC gifted and talented programs.

[Anonymous]

My daughter has been accepted. She was also accepted at Catholic Schools. We don't know what to do. She hasn't even seen TJ. There were no tours offered. Can she see it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter has been accepted. She was also accepted at Catholic Schools. We don't know what to do. She hasn't even seen TJ. There were no tours offered. Can she see it?

From the waitlist?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MIT grad here. I don't want my child to apply. Burn out is real and I'd rather they do that in college or grad school than high school.

Another MIT grad here who went to another competitive magnet. Not all kids burn out.

OP, let your DD explore the TJ path if she wants to. The main thing to consider is whether the school offers the extracurricular activities she wants, and whether the commute and homework load will allow her to pursue those activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The student newspaper at TJ is regularly one of the top three in the state. Blows my mind since they are supposed to be for the hyper focused on STEM.

Because it’s a group of really really smart kids. And, with the exception of savants, people who possess the level of intelligence necessary to excel in STEM also possess the level to do well in humanities (and vice versa).