Top ranked at base school but bottom at TJ

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC is seeking confirmation on whether a middle school student with mostly A grades and a near-4.0 GPA, who will complete Algebra 1 in 8th grade, is likely to be among the top of the class after accepting their TJ offer. Based on feedback from current TJ parents, students entering with only Algebra 1 may face a steep learning curve to keep pace with peers who have progressed further in pre-calculus based math. How true is this?

If you are that focused on being among the top of the class, TJ would be a nightmare.

Go to TJ if you love intense academics. If you have an eye on college admissions this early while in 8th grade, you are going to put you and your child through hell for the next 4 years.

Agree completely with this assessment.

- TJ parent

+2 I also agree that "I would not encourage a student who is taking Algebra 1 in 8th grade to attend TJ."

TJ offers many advanced math courses beyond calculus, and high-level math (at least calculus) is often a prerequisite for many of its advanced STEM classes. After my child decided to attend TJ, they took a summer math course between 8th and 9th grade, mainly so they would have enough math to take advantage of those advanced STEM classes. Choosing TJ is not the easy path - it requires four years of challenging but rewarding work, and math plays a central role in that journey. If you're a serious STEM student and get the good news this Friday, I highly recommend reviewing TJ’s curriculum to check the prerequisites for the courses you're interested in.

To be clear, I’m not suggesting student take summer math, we were actually against that idea between 7th and 8th grade although the child wanted to do it. However, in our case, it made sense to do it between 8th and 9th after the commitment to TJ.

Another TJ Parent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is seeking confirmation on whether a middle school student with mostly A grades and a near-4.0 GPA, who will complete Algebra 1 in 8th grade, is likely to be among the top of the class after accepting their TJ offer. Based on feedback from current TJ parents, students entering with only Algebra 1 may face a steep learning curve to keep pace with peers who have progressed further in pre-calculus based math. How true is this?

New admit TJ average GPA is 3.9... something, so almost all of the TJ new students coming with 4 GPA.
Student entering with Algebra 1 is in disadvantage, but it is doable.

Will they be the top of the class? could be, but probably not.
TJ admit is mostly from top 10% of each MS. So, the desire to be the top from the top would require extra hard work.

[Anonymous]

It’s amazing how so many TJ parents here don’t even mention the IBET cohort and the fact that many students start with Geometry in the 8th grade do very well.

Even the TJ outreach committee addressed this topic several times during their Q and A and strongly encouraged kids to take Geometry at TJ because the one offered in middle school or summer is not as deep and intense as the one at TJ.

Why are people spreading FUD about TJ?

[Anonymous]

There is a 90% chance that your kid is not going to be in the top 10% at TJ.

This "is likely to be among the top of the class after accepting their TJ offer" would lead to pressure that could lead to cheating...

Go to TJ, do the best that you can and dont try to force yourself to be among the top x% of TJ. This would kill all the joy of attending TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a 90% chance that your kid is not going to be in the top 10% at TJ.

This "is likely to be among the top of the class after accepting their TJ offer" would lead to pressure that could lead to cheating...

Go to TJ, do the best that you can and dont try to force yourself to be among the top x% of TJ. This would kill all the joy of attending TJ.

Given the math level, I would modify the above and say there is a more than 95% chance that your kid will not be in the top 10% at TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s amazing how so many TJ parents here don’t even mention the IBET cohort and the fact that many students start with Geometry in the 8th grade do very well.

Even the TJ outreach committee addressed this topic several times during their Q and A and strongly encouraged kids to take Geometry at TJ because the one offered in middle school or summer is not as deep and intense as the one at TJ.

Why are people spreading FUD about TJ?

If "do very well" means finishing TJ the lower level math/STEM classes with A, sure. Most others coming to TJ hope to do more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not encourage a student who is taking Algebra 1 in 8th grade to attend TJ. They will not receive the benefit of attending the TJ only classes because they will not have the necessary math, which will hold them back on taking some of the needed science classes. I think the admissions needs to require geometry at a minimum for TJ. I know that there are people who argue that Geometry might not be enough for TJ, in order to get into some of the more advanced offerings but there are not enough kids in 8th grade taking past Geometry to fill a class, I suspect that Geometry is fine.

Many parents here will encourage you to drop. This is not because it necessarily is in your child's interest but to create waitlist movement. They would not offer you a spot if your child was not in a strong position to do well. I would honestly reach out to TJ staff for more direct feedback.

This is bad advice.

First question, why are they taking algebra in 8th?

If they didn't test in them they may not be a good match.

If they tested in but weren't interested enough in math to take algebra in 7th, they may not be a good match

What other reason is there for taking algebra in 8th?

The math at TJ is no joke. They expect you to teach yourself a lot of the math, almost like a college class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not encourage a student who is taking Algebra 1 in 8th grade to attend TJ. They will not receive the benefit of attending the TJ only classes because they will not have the necessary math, which will hold them back on taking some of the needed science classes. I think the admissions needs to require geometry at a minimum for TJ. I know that there are people who argue that Geometry might not be enough for TJ, in order to get into some of the more advanced offerings but there are not enough kids in 8th grade taking past Geometry to fill a class, I suspect that Geometry is fine.

Many parents here will encourage you to drop. This is not because it necessarily is in your child's interest but to create waitlist movement. They would not offer you a spot if your child was not in a strong position to do well. I would honestly reach out to TJ staff for more direct feedback.

You are a broken record. You say the same thing if anyone gives advice to not attend TJ. We know kids in TJ, we know kids who have turned down TJ. The friends who have kids there strongly suggested that a kid should have Algebra II in 8th grade in order to really access TJs class offerings. One friends eldest did not and her sibling is taking Geometry this summer because the older sibling thinks it is that important. We are ignoring that advice because we want our kid to enjoy summer and TJ has always had kids who were taking Algebra 2 as Freshman. Kids taking Geometry as Freshmen is new.

TJ has a strong cohort, which benefits everyone who attends, but its real strength is specialized STEM classes that require higher level math. Kids who have Algebra 1 are less likely to be able to participate in some of the clubs or classes and are not going to have as many opportunities. A kid entering TJ with Algebra 1 is going to have fewer opportunities at TJ. It is up to the kids who are accepted to decide if the cohort is worth it.

No more so than the posters who discoruage others to drop out at every chance in the hopes their mediocre offspring get a spot off the waitlist.

Honestly if you didn't get in and you really think you want to go there then take the PSAT as a freshman and apply as an incoming sophomore. Some of the best students at TJ came in as sophomores

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a 90% chance that your kid is not going to be in the top 10% at TJ.

This "is likely to be among the top of the class after accepting their TJ offer" would lead to pressure that could lead to cheating...

Go to TJ, do the best that you can and dont try to force yourself to be among the top x% of TJ. This would kill all the joy of attending TJ.

Given the math level, I would modify the above and say there is a more than 95% chance that your kid will not be in the top 10% at TJ.

False, the math level is not directly related to these outcomes. Some schools lack the same opportunities as others. Being in Calc BC as a freshman won't put you at the top of the class. This isn't even a strong intelligence indicator as much as outside enrichment and high-SES schools, where there are more opportunities for acceleration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is a 90% chance that your kid is not going to be in the top 10% at TJ.

This "is likely to be among the top of the class after accepting their TJ offer" would lead to pressure that could lead to cheating...

Go to TJ, do the best that you can and dont try to force yourself to be among the top x% of TJ. This would kill all the joy of attending TJ.

Given the math level, I would modify the above and say there is a more than 95% chance that your kid will not be in the top 10% at TJ.

False, the math level is not directly related to these outcomes. Some schools lack the same opportunities as others. Being in Calc BC as a freshman won't put you at the top of the class. This isn't even a strong intelligence indicator as much as outside enrichment and high-SES schools, where there are more opportunities for acceleration.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s amazing how so many TJ parents here don’t even mention the IBET cohort and the fact that many students start with Geometry in the 8th grade do very well.

Even the TJ outreach committee addressed this topic several times during their Q and A and strongly encouraged kids to take Geometry at TJ because the one offered in middle school or summer is not as deep and intense as the one at TJ.

Why are people spreading FUD about TJ?

If "do very well" means finishing TJ the lower level math/STEM classes with A, sure. Most others coming to TJ hope to do more.

But you know what? Lots of kids don't do more at TJ and yet go on to have lives similar to most DCUM posters.

Just because they spend every assembly telling us how amazing we are doesn't actually mean we're amazing. There is a reason the Halloween costume meme about going as a gifted student (dress in regular clothes and when asked what you were supposed to be look sad and mumble, "I was supposed to be so many great things.") was circulated on a TJ alumni group chat I was on recently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not encourage a student who is taking Algebra 1 in 8th grade to attend TJ. They will not receive the benefit of attending the TJ only classes because they will not have the necessary math, which will hold them back on taking some of the needed science classes. I think the admissions needs to require geometry at a minimum for TJ. I know that there are people who argue that Geometry might not be enough for TJ, in order to get into some of the more advanced offerings but there are not enough kids in 8th grade taking past Geometry to fill a class, I suspect that Geometry is fine.

Many parents here will encourage you to drop. This is not because it necessarily is in your child's interest but to create waitlist movement. They would not offer you a spot if your child was not in a strong position to do well. I would honestly reach out to TJ staff for more direct feedback.

This is bad advice.

First question, why are they taking algebra in 8th?

If they didn't test in them they may not be a good match.

If they tested in but weren't interested enough in math to take algebra in 7th, they may not be a good match

What other reason is there for taking algebra in 8th?

The math at TJ is no joke. They expect you to teach yourself a lot of the math, almost like a college class.

The bolded is absolutely, 100% true. It can be a huge shift.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s amazing how so many TJ parents here don’t even mention the IBET cohort and the fact that many students start with Geometry in the 8th grade do very well.

Even the TJ outreach committee addressed this topic several times during their Q and A and strongly encouraged kids to take Geometry at TJ because the one offered in middle school or summer is not as deep and intense as the one at TJ.

Why are people spreading FUD about TJ?

I would be surprised to hear that the TJ Outreach Committee had been telling parents that their kids are better served taking Geometry at TJ 3 years ago. I would guess that is being said more now because they are concerned about kids taking Geometry over the summer to catch up with the kids who are in Algebra II at TJ. Kids have been attending TJ having completed Geometry at the MS for years and thriving at TJ, so I doubt that it has anything to do with how the MS teach Geometry.

[Anonymous]

My kid is getting mostly As at TJ with still a stubborn refusal to spend any time studying. I think if they actually cared it would be all As. But there are also kids drowning and studying all the time. So it's hard to say what your kid will do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s amazing how so many TJ parents here don’t even mention the IBET cohort and the fact that many students start with Geometry in the 8th grade do very well.

Even the TJ outreach committee addressed this topic several times during their Q and A and strongly encouraged kids to take Geometry at TJ because the one offered in middle school or summer is not as deep and intense as the one at TJ.

Why are people spreading FUD about TJ?

I would be surprised to hear that the TJ Outreach Committee had been telling parents that their kids are better served taking Geometry at TJ 3 years ago. I would guess that is being said more now because they are concerned about kids taking Geometry over the summer to catch up with the kids who are in Algebra II at TJ. Kids have been attending TJ having completed Geometry at the MS for years and thriving at TJ, so I doubt that it has anything to do with how the MS teach Geometry.

My kid took Geometry over the summer and is getting As in TJ math despite other kids not getting As.