TJ vs. private

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid at each and would choose TJ 1000x over. our private school is much more of a pressure cooker than TJ. We would have done TJ for both, but TJ decisions a few years ago came out in June which was much more than losing a private school deposit, it was losing a private school year of tuition. the private school is fine, but the experience at TJ was much better overall than it has been at the private so far - both for STEM and humanities.

however I would disagree that TJ has better college admissions than private school. ask the current lot of TJ seniors if they agree with that. guarantee they will not.

TJ sends more numbers, but perhaps a lower percentage than some of the privates.
However, it is not a good comparison. It is hard to say what the difference would be for say the 50th best kid in a class at TJ, or #100, what would their college admissions be if they went to a private school.

The colleges have some caps for how many they will admit from TJ, as well as northern Virginia.
Depends on the kid. My son was a candidate for TJ, plays a sport so he decided not to even apply. He applied to Saint Stephens Saint Agnes School, Potomac School, Flint Hill, Sidwell Friends, and Saint Albans. He was admitted to 4, waitlisted at 1, and chose the one he felt most comfortable with. We feel private is will serve my son better than TJ.
The education will be different over four years.
The caliber of students at TJ is higher than at these private schools.

Not really true. The big 3 this year are doing terribly. These days TJ does much much better even in terms of percentages.

Not getting in the top overall privates at this point. Maybe some with strong academics like Basis McLean, Pinnacle, Loudoun School for Advanced, or something similar where the academics are just as strong.

Lol TJ > privates

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid at each and would choose TJ 1000x over. our private school is much more of a pressure cooker than TJ. We would have done TJ for both, but TJ decisions a few years ago came out in June which was much more than losing a private school deposit, it was losing a private school year of tuition. the private school is fine, but the experience at TJ was much better overall than it has been at the private so far - both for STEM and humanities.

however I would disagree that TJ has better college admissions than private school. ask the current lot of TJ seniors if they agree with that. guarantee they will not.

TJ sends more numbers, but perhaps a lower percentage than some of the privates.
However, it is not a good comparison. It is hard to say what the difference would be for say the 50th best kid in a class at TJ, or #100, what would their college admissions be if they went to a private school.

The colleges have some caps for how many they will admit from TJ, as well as northern Virginia.
The education will be different over four years.
The caliber of students at TJ is higher than at these private schools.

Not really true. The big 3 this year are doing terribly. These days TJ does much much better even in terms of percentages.

Not getting in the top overall privates at this point. Maybe some with strong academics like Basis McLean, Pinnacle, Loudoun School for Advanced, or something similar where the academics are just as strong.

Lol TJ > privates

Depends on the kid. My son was a candidate for TJ, plays a sport so he decided not to even apply. He applied to Saint Stephens Saint Agnes School, Potomac School, Flint Hill, Sidwell Friends, and Saint Albans. He was admitted to 4, waitlisted at 1, and chose the one he felt most comfortable with. We feel private is will serve my son better than TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid at each and would choose TJ 1000x over. our private school is much more of a pressure cooker than TJ. We would have done TJ for both, but TJ decisions a few years ago came out in June which was much more than losing a private school deposit, it was losing a private school year of tuition. the private school is fine, but the experience at TJ was much better overall than it has been at the private so far - both for STEM and humanities.

however I would disagree that TJ has better college admissions than private school. ask the current lot of TJ seniors if they agree with that. guarantee they will not.

TJ sends more numbers, but perhaps a lower percentage than some of the privates.
However, it is not a good comparison. It is hard to say what the difference would be for say the 50th best kid in a class at TJ, or #100, what would their college admissions be if they went to a private school.

The colleges have some caps for how many they will admit from TJ, as well as northern Virginia.
The education will be different over four years.
The caliber of students at TJ is higher than at these private schools.

Not really true. The big 3 this year are doing terribly. These days TJ does much much better even in terms of percentages.

Not getting in the top overall privates at this point. Maybe some with strong academics like Basis McLean, Pinnacle, Loudoun School for Advanced, or something similar where the academics are just as strong.

Lol TJ > privates

Depends on the kid. My son was a candidate for TJ, plays a sport so he decided not to even apply. He applied to Saint Stephens Saint Agnes School, Potomac School, Flint Hill, Sidwell Friends, and Saint Albans. He was admitted to 4, waitlisted at 1, and chose the one he felt most comfortable with. We feel private is will serve my son better than TJ.

Lol and anyway he didn't get in to TJ so...

[Anonymous]

If you post in the AAP forum, the responses will be for TJ. If you post in the private school forum, they will be in favor of private. The answer depends entirely on what type of experience you’re looking for. If you want rigor, TJ, if you want well rounded, with athletics, arts and leadership opportunities, private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you post in the AAP forum, the responses will be for TJ. If you post in the private school forum, they will be in favor of private. The answer depends entirely on what type of experience you’re looking for. If you want rigor, TJ, if you want well rounded, with athletics, arts and leadership opportunities, private.

TJ has athletics, arts, leadership opportunities... If you want hand holding and your kid needs extra help, private. If you kid is a self starter, TJ

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you post in the AAP forum, the responses will be for TJ. If you post in the private school forum, they will be in favor of private. The answer depends entirely on what type of experience you’re looking for. If you want rigor, TJ, if you want well rounded, with athletics, arts and leadership opportunities, private.

I'd be careful going to any private that lacks APs since that will hinder college acceptances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you post in the AAP forum, the responses will be for TJ. If you post in the private school forum, they will be in favor of private. The answer depends entirely on what type of experience you’re looking for. If you want rigor, TJ, if you want well rounded, with athletics, arts and leadership opportunities, private.

TJ offers better athletics, arts and leadership opportunities. There is virtually no cut with the teams and some are top in the State (swimming, tennis, golf etc.) and they have won many awards for their literary magazines, yearbooks and also have one of the best marching bands and orchestra in the State not to mention almost 200 teams, clubs, associations etc. TJ also offers more well-rounded experience due to their rigorous humanities courses and more diverse demographics (Asians, blacks, Hispanics, and children from numerous other countries (diplomats etc.) than the privates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you post in the AAP forum, the responses will be for TJ. If you post in the private school forum, they will be in favor of private. The answer depends entirely on what type of experience you’re looking for. If you want rigor, TJ, if you want well rounded, with athletics, arts and leadership opportunities, private.

TJ offers better athletics, arts and leadership opportunities. There is virtually no cut with the teams and some are top in the State (swimming, tennis, golf etc.) and they have won many awards for their literary magazines, yearbooks and also have one of the best marching bands and orchestra in the State not to mention almost 200 teams, clubs, associations etc. TJ also offers more well-rounded experience due to their rigorous humanities courses and more diverse demographics (Asians, blacks, Hispanics, and children from numerous other countries (diplomats etc.) than the privates.

For a STEM kid, hands down TJ.

However, the private schools my kids are at have great athletics, arts and leadership opportunities. I can say there are no cuts with the athletic teams and many top athletes as well. Kids also win awards for their writing, magazines etc. Many clubs and many associations, with lots of funding. Extremely rigorous humanities courses.
If you have the money, go for the better private schools, the ones DCUM keep talking about. If you are POC, I would also go the private school route. Better experience for your kid. And lol about diverse demographics... My kids' private schools are extremely diverse, with diplomats, Hispanics, Black and Asians, much more diverse than the public schools in the neighborhood. Also 40% of kids are on scholarships.

[Anonymous]

Tj is free

[Anonymous]

Privates have excellent sports and athletic scholarships - lax, basketball, swimming, golf, tennis

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid at each and would choose TJ 1000x over. our private school is much more of a pressure cooker than TJ. We would have done TJ for both, but TJ decisions a few years ago came out in June which was much more than losing a private school deposit, it was losing a private school year of tuition. the private school is fine, but the experience at TJ was much better overall than it has been at the private so far - both for STEM and humanities.

however I would disagree that TJ has better college admissions than private school. ask the current lot of TJ seniors if they agree with that. guarantee they will not.

TJ sends more numbers, but perhaps a lower percentage than some of the privates.
However, it is not a good comparison. It is hard to say what the difference would be for say the 50th best kid in a class at TJ, or #100, what would their college admissions be if they went to a private school.

The colleges have some caps for how many they will admit from TJ, as well as northern Virginia.
The caliber of students at TJ is higher than at these private schools.

Not really true. The big 3 this year are doing terribly. These days TJ does much much better even in terms of percentages.

Not getting in the top overall privates at this point. Maybe some with strong academics like Basis McLean, Pinnacle, Loudoun School for Advanced, or something similar where the academics are just as strong.

Lol TJ > privates

Depends on the kid. My son was a candidate for TJ, plays a sport so he decided not to even apply. He applied to Saint Stephens Saint Agnes School, Potomac School, Flint Hill, Sidwell Friends, and Saint Albans. He was admitted to 4, waitlisted at 1, and chose the one he felt most comfortable with. We feel private is will serve my son better than TJ.

Lol and anyway he didn't get in to TJ so...

He didn’t apply and didn’t want to. TJ would have been an unattractive commute, he is active in sports, and he has too many other things going on. He is mature enough to realize that he would be more comfortable in tge private that he selected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you post in the AAP forum, the responses will be for TJ. If you post in the private school forum, they will be in favor of private. The answer depends entirely on what type of experience you’re looking for. If you want rigor, TJ, if you want well rounded, with athletics, arts and leadership opportunities, private.

TJ offers better athletics, arts and leadership opportunities. There is virtually no cut with the teams and some are top in the State (swimming, tennis, golf etc.) and they have won many awards for their literary magazines, yearbooks and also have one of the best marching bands and orchestra in the State not to mention almost 200 teams, clubs, associations etc. TJ also offers more well-rounded experience due to their rigorous humanities courses and more diverse demographics (Asians, blacks, Hispanics, and children from numerous other countries (diplomats etc.) than the privates.

For a STEM kid, hands down TJ.

However, the private schools my kids are at have great athletics, arts and leadership opportunities. I can say there are no cuts with the athletic teams and many top athletes as well. Kids also win awards for their writing, magazines etc. Many clubs and many associations, with lots of funding. Extremely rigorous humanities courses.
If you have the money, go for the better private schools, the ones DCUM keep talking about. If you are POC, I would also go the private school route. Better experience for your kid. And lol about diverse demographics... My kids' private schools are extremely diverse, with diplomats, Hispanics, Black and Asians, much more diverse than the public schools in the neighborhood. Also 40% of kids are on scholarships.

If your kid plays a popular sport and isn't recruited, good luck making the team at a top private

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid at each and would choose TJ 1000x over. our private school is much more of a pressure cooker than TJ. We would have done TJ for both, but TJ decisions a few years ago came out in June which was much more than losing a private school deposit, it was losing a private school year of tuition. the private school is fine, but the experience at TJ was much better overall than it has been at the private so far - both for STEM and humanities.

however I would disagree that TJ has better college admissions than private school. ask the current lot of TJ seniors if they agree with that. guarantee they will not.

TJ sends more numbers, but perhaps a lower percentage than some of the privates.
However, it is not a good comparison. It is hard to say what the difference would be for say the 50th best kid in a class at TJ, or #100, what would their college admissions be if they went to a private school.

The colleges have some caps for how many they will admit from TJ, as well as northern Virginia.
The education will be different over four years.
The caliber of students at TJ is higher than at these private schools.

I agree entirely. The hundredth best kid in the TJ senior class is easily on par with the vast majority of the class at any of the local privates and likely is looking at the following college options: UMD, Purdue, William and Mary, a SUNY school, and if they are lucky University of FL. 100 kids is approximately the size of the graduating classes at the top privates, who will send 2 kids to W&M, 2 kids to UMD, and zero to Purdue. Private schools undeniably have some kind of special sauce for college admissions.

Having said that, you pick TJ for the experience, the fit for the kid, and not what college they'll get into.

There is absolutely no truth to this nonsense. On occasion you will see a TJ student select a school like University of Florida because they're offered a full ride and they're trying to save costs before heading to an elite graduate school.

If a person is placing UMD, W&M, and Purdue in the same tier with one another, you can be assured they have no idea what they're talking about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Privates have excellent sports and athletic scholarships - lax, basketball, swimming, golf, tennis

Most don’t do athletic scholarships. Most do have financial aid though and they seek a well rounded student body that has the highest potential of future success.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid at each and would choose TJ 1000x over. our private school is much more of a pressure cooker than TJ. We would have done TJ for both, but TJ decisions a few years ago came out in June which was much more than losing a private school deposit, it was losing a private school year of tuition. the private school is fine, but the experience at TJ was much better overall than it has been at the private so far - both for STEM and humanities.

however I would disagree that TJ has better college admissions than private school. ask the current lot of TJ seniors if they agree with that. guarantee they will not.

TJ sends more numbers, but perhaps a lower percentage than some of the privates.
However, it is not a good comparison. It is hard to say what the difference would be for say the 50th best kid in a class at TJ, or #100, what would their college admissions be if they went to a private school.

The colleges have some caps for how many they will admit from TJ, as well as northern Virginia.
The education will be different over four years.
The caliber of students at TJ is higher than at these private schools.

Not really true. The big 3 this year are doing terribly. These days TJ does much much better even in terms of percentages.

Not getting in the top overall privates at this point. Maybe some with strong academics like Basis McLean, Pinnacle, Loudoun School for Advanced, or something similar where the academics are just as strong.

Lol TJ > privates

Depends on the kid. My son was a candidate for TJ, plays a sport so he decided not to even apply. He applied to Saint Stephens Saint Agnes School, Potomac School, Flint Hill, Sidwell Friends, and Saint Albans. He was admitted to 4, waitlisted at 1, and chose the one he felt most comfortable with. We feel private is will serve my son better than TJ.

That wasn't a great move. Over half of the TJ population year over year plays a sport and students are afforded the opportunity to compete at the varsity level earlier than at most schools if they have significant experience.