TJHSST 2025-2026 Draft Profile

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So so so glad my kid did not attend TJ.

It was a tough choice four years ago but I am incredibly thankful we turned them down. My kid had a good HS experience and is heading to an ivy in a few months. Hope those whose kids did not get in or those who turn it down have an equally good result in 4 years.

If you are gunning ivy, then TJ is probably better for you.

30,000 high schools with at least 30,000 valedictorians. A near 4.0 from the vast majority of those schools are necessary but not helpful for your application. A near 4.0 from TJ is meaningful.

TJs senior research lab is helpful.

TJ peer effect is useful.

TJ sends about as many kids to ivy+ as the rest of FCPS combined.

This is not the experience of the TJ kids we know. I mean, how many TJ kids have even close to a 4.0 unweighted? You are painting a false picture of reality. It may be accurate to say the top 5% of TJ’s seniors have a better chance at an ivy but absolutely incorrect to say going to tj gives you a better chance at an ivy. About 99% of the current tj families agree with this…are you the non-current tj family poster? Bc you post this a lot and no one else ever agrees.

PP here.
I mostly agree with you.
It's not my TJ experience either. I don't think most kids get a boost to ivy+ from TJ. I think the number of kids that got into IVY because the TJ bump got them over the line is probably right around the 5% you mention.
But if you are gunning for Ivy+, do you have a better chance at TJ or at Fairfax High School?

The latter…base.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So so so glad my kid did not attend TJ.

It was a tough choice four years ago but I am incredibly thankful we turned them down. My kid had a good HS experience and is heading to an ivy in a few months. Hope those whose kids did not get in or those who turn it down have an equally good result in 4 years.

If you are gunning ivy, then TJ is probably better for you.

30,000 high schools with at least 30,000 valedictorians. A near 4.0 from the vast majority of those schools are necessary but not helpful for your application. A near 4.0 from TJ is meaningful.

TJs senior research lab is helpful.

TJ peer effect is useful.

TJ sends about as many kids to ivy+ as the rest of FCPS combined.

This is not the experience of the TJ kids we know. I mean, how many TJ kids have even close to a 4.0 unweighted? You are painting a false picture of reality. It may be accurate to say the top 5% of TJ’s seniors have a better chance at an ivy but absolutely incorrect to say going to tj gives you a better chance at an ivy. About 99% of the current tj families agree with this…are you the non-current tj family poster? Bc you post this a lot and no one else ever agrees.

PP here.
I mostly agree with you.
It's not my TJ experience either. I don't think most kids get a boost to ivy+ from TJ. I think the number of kids that got into IVY because the TJ bump got them over the line is probably right around the 5% you mention.
But if you are gunning for Ivy+, do you have a better chance at TJ or at Fairfax High School?

The latter…base.

For most people yeah. They get a lottery ticket at base, they have nothing at TJ unless they are in top 20% there.

So if that is all that motivates you, you might want to stay away from TJ. But if you want the best training for success in college, TJ is hard to beat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So so so glad my kid did not attend TJ.

It was a tough choice four years ago but I am incredibly thankful we turned them down. My kid had a good HS experience and is heading to an ivy in a few months. Hope those whose kids did not get in or those who turn it down have an equally good result in 4 years.

If you are gunning ivy, then TJ is probably better for you.

30,000 high schools with at least 30,000 valedictorians. A near 4.0 from the vast majority of those schools are necessary but not helpful for your application. A near 4.0 from TJ is meaningful.

TJs senior research lab is helpful.

TJ peer effect is useful.

TJ sends about as many kids to ivy+ as the rest of FCPS combined.

This is not the experience of the TJ kids we know. I mean, how many TJ kids have even close to a 4.0 unweighted? You are painting a false picture of reality. It may be accurate to say the top 5% of TJ’s seniors have a better chance at an ivy but absolutely incorrect to say going to tj gives you a better chance at an ivy. About 99% of the current tj families agree with this…are you the non-current tj family poster? Bc you post this a lot and no one else ever agrees.

PP here.
I mostly agree with you.
It's not my TJ experience either. I don't think most kids get a boost to ivy+ from TJ. I think the number of kids that got into IVY because the TJ bump got them over the line is probably right around the 5% you mention.
But if you are gunning for Ivy+, do you have a better chance at TJ or at Fairfax High School?

The latter…base.

For most people yeah. They get a lottery ticket at base, they have nothing at TJ unless they are in top 20% there.

So if that is all that motivates you, you might want to stay away from TJ. But if you want the best training for success in college, TJ is hard to beat.

Disagree. Kids who are bright, motivated and goal oriented are going to do fine in college. I’ve said this before: it is not like top base kids are hitting college and failing out. I see it far more important for success to have the best higher education. Top base kids also have more time (less commuting) to have excellent real world EC experiences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So so so glad my kid did not attend TJ.

It was a tough choice four years ago but I am incredibly thankful we turned them down. My kid had a good HS experience and is heading to an ivy in a few months. Hope those whose kids did not get in or those who turn it down have an equally good result in 4 years.

If you are gunning ivy, then TJ is probably better for you.

30,000 high schools with at least 30,000 valedictorians. A near 4.0 from the vast majority of those schools are necessary but not helpful for your application. A near 4.0 from TJ is meaningful.

TJs senior research lab is helpful.

TJ peer effect is useful.

TJ sends about as many kids to ivy+ as the rest of FCPS combined.

This is not the experience of the TJ kids we know. I mean, how many TJ kids have even close to a 4.0 unweighted? You are painting a false picture of reality. It may be accurate to say the top 5% of TJ’s seniors have a better chance at an ivy but absolutely incorrect to say going to tj gives you a better chance at an ivy. About 99% of the current tj families agree with this…are you the non-current tj family poster? Bc you post this a lot and no one else ever agrees.

PP here.
I mostly agree with you.
It's not my TJ experience either. I don't think most kids get a boost to ivy+ from TJ. I think the number of kids that got into IVY because the TJ bump got them over the line is probably right around the 5% you mention.
But if you are gunning for Ivy+, do you have a better chance at TJ or at Fairfax High School?

The latter…base.

For most people yeah. They get a lottery ticket at base, they have nothing at TJ unless they are in top 20% there.

So if that is all that motivates you, you might want to stay away from TJ. But if you want the best training for success in college, TJ is hard to beat.

Disagree. Kids who are bright, motivated and goal oriented are going to do fine in college. I’ve said this before: it is not like top base kids are hitting college and failing out. I see it far more important for success to have the best higher education. Top base kids also have more time (less commuting) to have excellent real world EC experiences.

Sure. If “fine” is what you strive for in life.

[Anonymous]

I think my kid could probably get in to a better college from our diverse, high FARMS high school but they want to go to school with other focused kids. Middle school has been a lot of apathetic kids who seem to exist to disrupt things. My kid will not have a super long bus ride, though. We live 15 minutes away

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So so so glad my kid did not attend TJ.

It was a tough choice four years ago but I am incredibly thankful we turned them down. My kid had a good HS experience and is heading to an ivy in a few months. Hope those whose kids did not get in or those who turn it down have an equally good result in 4 years.

If you are gunning ivy, then TJ is probably better for you.

30,000 high schools with at least 30,000 valedictorians. A near 4.0 from the vast majority of those schools are necessary but not helpful for your application. A near 4.0 from TJ is meaningful.

TJs senior research lab is helpful.

TJ peer effect is useful.

TJ sends about as many kids to ivy+ as the rest of FCPS combined.

This is not the experience of the TJ kids we know. I mean, how many TJ kids have even close to a 4.0 unweighted? You are painting a false picture of reality. It may be accurate to say the top 5% of TJ’s seniors have a better chance at an ivy but absolutely incorrect to say going to tj gives you a better chance at an ivy. About 99% of the current tj families agree with this…are you the non-current tj family poster? Bc you post this a lot and no one else ever agrees.

PP here.
I mostly agree with you.
It's not my TJ experience either. I don't think most kids get a boost to ivy+ from TJ. I think the number of kids that got into IVY because the TJ bump got them over the line is probably right around the 5% you mention.
But if you are gunning for Ivy+, do you have a better chance at TJ or at Fairfax High School?

The latter…base.

For most people yeah. They get a lottery ticket at base, they have nothing at TJ unless they are in top 20% there.

So if that is all that motivates you, you might want to stay away from TJ. But if you want the best training for success in college, TJ is hard to beat.

Disagree. Kids who are bright, motivated and goal oriented are going to do fine in college. I’ve said this before: it is not like top base kids are hitting college and failing out. I see it far more important for success to have the best higher education. Top base kids also have more time (less commuting) to have excellent real world EC experiences.

Sure. If “fine” is what you strive for in life.

“Fine” encompassed both TJ and base kids who are bright, motivated and goal oriented. By “fine” I meant college academics are successfully tackled.

Who would want to see strive for the a top HS but be ok with a low ranked HS??? Either school in general is a top priority or it is not.

[Anonymous]

There are different motivations for wanting to attend TJ. My child wants to be with other kids who love math. We want him to be at a school that will challenge him. Both DS and parents are fine with the idea that might mean he earns Bs instead of As in some subjects. We won't know how he will do until he attends. He is bright and motivated but has never been challenged, outside of math competitions. TJ could be a rude a wakening. It could be the perfect fit. Either way, both parties, our child and the parents, understand that it won't be easy and think that it will be good for him.

Personally, I am fine with B's that are earned. There is nothing wrong with working at something and earning a B. That is not what I expect, DS is smart and very capable. He took a different lnguage in MS, he has done exceptionally well in math competitions. Now he is preparing to attend a school filled with kids like him, who are smart and motivated, and we will support him on his journey.

I suspect that he will dow ell, as long as he makes his best effort. I like that he will be challenged, he needs that to help him develop a strong work ethic and to really learn how to study. I appreciate that he is willing to challenge himself. We are excited for next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So so so glad my kid did not attend TJ.

It was a tough choice four years ago but I am incredibly thankful we turned them down. My kid had a good HS experience and is heading to an ivy in a few months. Hope those whose kids did not get in or those who turn it down have an equally good result in 4 years.

If you are gunning ivy, then TJ is probably better for you.

30,000 high schools with at least 30,000 valedictorians. A near 4.0 from the vast majority of those schools are necessary but not helpful for your application. A near 4.0 from TJ is meaningful.

TJs senior research lab is helpful.

TJ peer effect is useful.

TJ sends about as many kids to ivy+ as the rest of FCPS combined.

This is not the experience of the TJ kids we know. I mean, how many TJ kids have even close to a 4.0 unweighted? You are painting a false picture of reality. It may be accurate to say the top 5% of TJ’s seniors have a better chance at an ivy but absolutely incorrect to say going to tj gives you a better chance at an ivy. About 99% of the current tj families agree with this…are you the non-current tj family poster? Bc you post this a lot and no one else ever agrees.

PP here.
I mostly agree with you.
It's not my TJ experience either. I don't think most kids get a boost to ivy+ from TJ. I think the number of kids that got into IVY because the TJ bump got them over the line is probably right around the 5% you mention.
But if you are gunning for Ivy+, do you have a better chance at TJ or at Fairfax High School?

The latter…base.

For most people yeah. They get a lottery ticket at base, they have nothing at TJ unless they are in top 20% there.

So if that is all that motivates you, you might want to stay away from TJ. But if you want the best training for success in college, TJ is hard to beat.

Disagree. Kids who are bright, motivated and goal oriented are going to do fine in college. I’ve said this before: it is not like top base kids are hitting college and failing out. I see it far more important for success to have the best higher education. Top base kids also have more time (less commuting) to have excellent real world EC experiences.

Sure. If “fine” is what you strive for in life.

“Fine” encompassed both TJ and base kids who are bright, motivated and goal oriented. By “fine” I meant college academics are successfully tackled.

Who would want to see strive for the a top HS but be ok with a low ranked HS??? Either school in general is a top priority or it is not.

…Strive for a top high school and then be OK with a low ranked college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are different motivations for wanting to attend TJ. My child wants to be with other kids who love math. We want him to be at a school that will challenge him. Both DS and parents are fine with the idea that might mean he earns Bs instead of As in some subjects. We won't know how he will do until he attends. He is bright and motivated but has never been challenged, outside of math competitions. TJ could be a rude a wakening. It could be the perfect fit. Either way, both parties, our child and the parents, understand that it won't be easy and think that it will be good for him.

Personally, I am fine with B's that are earned. There is nothing wrong with working at something and earning a B. That is not what I expect, DS is smart and very capable. He took a different lnguage in MS, he has done exceptionally well in math competitions. Now he is preparing to attend a school filled with kids like him, who are smart and motivated, and we will support him on his journey.

I suspect that he will dow ell, as long as he makes his best effort. I like that he will be challenged, he needs that to help him develop a strong work ethic and to really learn how to study. I appreciate that he is willing to challenge himself. We are excited for next year.

Sounds like a well thought out approach. B’s will impact college options but you know that and are ok with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So so so glad my kid did not attend TJ.

It was a tough choice four years ago but I am incredibly thankful we turned them down. My kid had a good HS experience and is heading to an ivy in a few months. Hope those whose kids did not get in or those who turn it down have an equally good result in 4 years.

If you are gunning ivy, then TJ is probably better for you.

30,000 high schools with at least 30,000 valedictorians. A near 4.0 from the vast majority of those schools are necessary but not helpful for your application. A near 4.0 from TJ is meaningful.

TJs senior research lab is helpful.

TJ peer effect is useful.

TJ sends about as many kids to ivy+ as the rest of FCPS combined.

This is not the experience of the TJ kids we know. I mean, how many TJ kids have even close to a 4.0 unweighted? You are painting a false picture of reality. It may be accurate to say the top 5% of TJ’s seniors have a better chance at an ivy but absolutely incorrect to say going to tj gives you a better chance at an ivy. About 99% of the current tj families agree with this…are you the non-current tj family poster? Bc you post this a lot and no one else ever agrees.

PP here.
I mostly agree with you.
It's not my TJ experience either. I don't think most kids get a boost to ivy+ from TJ. I think the number of kids that got into IVY because the TJ bump got them over the line is probably right around the 5% you mention.
But if you are gunning for Ivy+, do you have a better chance at TJ or at Fairfax High School?

The latter…base.

For most people yeah. They get a lottery ticket at base, they have nothing at TJ unless they are in top 20% there.

So if that is all that motivates you, you might want to stay away from TJ. But if you want the best training for success in college, TJ is hard to beat.

Disagree. Kids who are bright, motivated and goal oriented are going to do fine in college. I’ve said this before: it is not like top base kids are hitting college and failing out. I see it far more important for success to have the best higher education. Top base kids also have more time (less commuting) to have excellent real world EC experiences.

Sure. If “fine” is what you strive for in life.

“Fine” encompassed both TJ and base kids who are bright, motivated and goal oriented. By “fine” I meant college academics are successfully tackled.

Who would want to see strive for the a top HS but be ok with a low ranked HS??? Either school in general is a top priority or it is not.

…Strive for a top high school and then be OK with a low ranked college?

How many kids go to TJ actually go to a low ranked college? Not high ranking doesn’t automatically mean low ranking there is a massive middle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So so so glad my kid did not attend TJ.

It was a tough choice four years ago but I am incredibly thankful we turned them down. My kid had a good HS experience and is heading to an ivy in a few months. Hope those whose kids did not get in or those who turn it down have an equally good result in 4 years.

If you are gunning ivy, then TJ is probably better for you.

30,000 high schools with at least 30,000 valedictorians. A near 4.0 from the vast majority of those schools are necessary but not helpful for your application. A near 4.0 from TJ is meaningful.

TJs senior research lab is helpful.

TJ peer effect is useful.

TJ sends about as many kids to ivy+ as the rest of FCPS combined.

This is not the experience of the TJ kids we know. I mean, how many TJ kids have even close to a 4.0 unweighted? You are painting a false picture of reality. It may be accurate to say the top 5% of TJ’s seniors have a better chance at an ivy but absolutely incorrect to say going to tj gives you a better chance at an ivy. About 99% of the current tj families agree with this…are you the non-current tj family poster? Bc you post this a lot and no one else ever agrees.

PP here.
I mostly agree with you.
It's not my TJ experience either. I don't think most kids get a boost to ivy+ from TJ. I think the number of kids that got into IVY because the TJ bump got them over the line is probably right around the 5% you mention.
But if you are gunning for Ivy+, do you have a better chance at TJ or at Fairfax High School?

The latter…base.

For most people yeah. They get a lottery ticket at base, they have nothing at TJ unless they are in top 20% there.

So if that is all that motivates you, you might want to stay away from TJ. But if you want the best training for success in college, TJ is hard to beat.

Disagree. Kids who are bright, motivated and goal oriented are going to do fine in college. I’ve said this before: it is not like top base kids are hitting college and failing out. I see it far more important for success to have the best higher education. Top base kids also have more time (less commuting) to have excellent real world EC experiences.

Sure. If “fine” is what you strive for in life.

“Fine” encompassed both TJ and base kids who are bright, motivated and goal oriented. By “fine” I meant college academics are successfully tackled.

Who would want to see strive for the a top HS but be ok with a low ranked HS??? Either school in general is a top priority or it is not.

…Strive for a top high school and then be OK with a low ranked college?

How many kids go to TJ actually go to a low ranked college? Not high ranking doesn’t automatically mean low ranking there is a massive middle.

The friends we know who are disappointed are going places like Case, VT, Penn State, Clemson after being shut out of all of the higher ranked ones they preferred.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So so so glad my kid did not attend TJ.

It was a tough choice four years ago but I am incredibly thankful we turned them down. My kid had a good HS experience and is heading to an ivy in a few months. Hope those whose kids did not get in or those who turn it down have an equally good result in 4 years.

If you are gunning ivy, then TJ is probably better for you.

30,000 high schools with at least 30,000 valedictorians. A near 4.0 from the vast majority of those schools are necessary but not helpful for your application. A near 4.0 from TJ is meaningful.

TJs senior research lab is helpful.

TJ peer effect is useful.

TJ sends about as many kids to ivy+ as the rest of FCPS combined.

This is not the experience of the TJ kids we know. I mean, how many TJ kids have even close to a 4.0 unweighted? You are painting a false picture of reality. It may be accurate to say the top 5% of TJ’s seniors have a better chance at an ivy but absolutely incorrect to say going to tj gives you a better chance at an ivy. About 99% of the current tj families agree with this…are you the non-current tj family poster? Bc you post this a lot and no one else ever agrees.

PP here.
I mostly agree with you.
It's not my TJ experience either. I don't think most kids get a boost to ivy+ from TJ. I think the number of kids that got into IVY because the TJ bump got them over the line is probably right around the 5% you mention.
But if you are gunning for Ivy+, do you have a better chance at TJ or at Fairfax High School?

The latter…base.

For most people yeah. They get a lottery ticket at base, they have nothing at TJ unless they are in top 20% there.

So if that is all that motivates you, you might want to stay away from TJ. But if you want the best training for success in college, TJ is hard to beat.

Disagree. Kids who are bright, motivated and goal oriented are going to do fine in college. I’ve said this before: it is not like top base kids are hitting college and failing out. I see it far more important for success to have the best higher education. Top base kids also have more time (less commuting) to have excellent real world EC experiences.

Sure. If “fine” is what you strive for in life.

“Fine” encompassed both TJ and base kids who are bright, motivated and goal oriented. By “fine” I meant college academics are successfully tackled.

Who would want to see strive for the a top HS but be ok with a low ranked HS??? Either school in general is a top priority or it is not.

…Strive for a top high school and then be OK with a low ranked college?

How many kids go to TJ actually go to a low ranked college? Not high ranking doesn’t automatically mean low ranking there is a massive middle.

The friends we know who are disappointed are going places like Case, VT, Penn State, Clemson after being shut out of all of the higher ranked ones they preferred.

Are they getting merit? Those don’t seem like bad places to land

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So so so glad my kid did not attend TJ.

It was a tough choice four years ago but I am incredibly thankful we turned them down. My kid had a good HS experience and is heading to an ivy in a few months. Hope those whose kids did not get in or those who turn it down have an equally good result in 4 years.

If you are gunning ivy, then TJ is probably better for you.

30,000 high schools with at least 30,000 valedictorians. A near 4.0 from the vast majority of those schools are necessary but not helpful for your application. A near 4.0 from TJ is meaningful.

TJs senior research lab is helpful.

TJ peer effect is useful.

TJ sends about as many kids to ivy+ as the rest of FCPS combined.

This is not the experience of the TJ kids we know. I mean, how many TJ kids have even close to a 4.0 unweighted? You are painting a false picture of reality. It may be accurate to say the top 5% of TJ’s seniors have a better chance at an ivy but absolutely incorrect to say going to tj gives you a better chance at an ivy. About 99% of the current tj families agree with this…are you the non-current tj family poster? Bc you post this a lot and no one else ever agrees.

PP here.
I mostly agree with you.
It's not my TJ experience either. I don't think most kids get a boost to ivy+ from TJ. I think the number of kids that got into IVY because the TJ bump got them over the line is probably right around the 5% you mention.
But if you are gunning for Ivy+, do you have a better chance at TJ or at Fairfax High School?

The latter…base.

For most people yeah. They get a lottery ticket at base, they have nothing at TJ unless they are in top 20% there.

So if that is all that motivates you, you might want to stay away from TJ. But if you want the best training for success in college, TJ is hard to beat.

Disagree. Kids who are bright, motivated and goal oriented are going to do fine in college. I’ve said this before: it is not like top base kids are hitting college and failing out. I see it far more important for success to have the best higher education. Top base kids also have more time (less commuting) to have excellent real world EC experiences.

Sure. If “fine” is what you strive for in life.

“Fine” encompassed both TJ and base kids who are bright, motivated and goal oriented. By “fine” I meant college academics are successfully tackled.

Who would want to see strive for the a top HS but be ok with a low ranked HS??? Either school in general is a top priority or it is not.

…Strive for a top high school and then be OK with a low ranked college?

How many kids go to TJ actually go to a low ranked college? Not high ranking doesn’t automatically mean low ranking there is a massive middle.

The friends we know who are disappointed are going places like Case, VT, Penn State, Clemson after being shut out of all of the higher ranked ones they preferred.

Are they getting merit? Those don’t seem like bad places to land

Some merit at all but vt but no more or less than non tj kids. It is perspective…if your kid is fine at those schools, great. I am talking about kids who were not and desperately wanted higher ranked options but got none. And there are lots of them like this at tj.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So so so glad my kid did not attend TJ.

It was a tough choice four years ago but I am incredibly thankful we turned them down. My kid had a good HS experience and is heading to an ivy in a few months. Hope those whose kids did not get in or those who turn it down have an equally good result in 4 years.

If you are gunning ivy, then TJ is probably better for you.

30,000 high schools with at least 30,000 valedictorians. A near 4.0 from the vast majority of those schools are necessary but not helpful for your application. A near 4.0 from TJ is meaningful.

TJs senior research lab is helpful.

TJ peer effect is useful.

TJ sends about as many kids to ivy+ as the rest of FCPS combined.

This is not the experience of the TJ kids we know. I mean, how many TJ kids have even close to a 4.0 unweighted? You are painting a false picture of reality. It may be accurate to say the top 5% of TJ’s seniors have a better chance at an ivy but absolutely incorrect to say going to tj gives you a better chance at an ivy. About 99% of the current tj families agree with this…are you the non-current tj family poster? Bc you post this a lot and no one else ever agrees.

PP here.
I mostly agree with you.
It's not my TJ experience either. I don't think most kids get a boost to ivy+ from TJ. I think the number of kids that got into IVY because the TJ bump got them over the line is probably right around the 5% you mention.
But if you are gunning for Ivy+, do you have a better chance at TJ or at Fairfax High School?

The latter…base.

For most people yeah. They get a lottery ticket at base, they have nothing at TJ unless they are in top 20% there.

So if that is all that motivates you, you might want to stay away from TJ. But if you want the best training for success in college, TJ is hard to beat.

Disagree. Kids who are bright, motivated and goal oriented are going to do fine in college. I’ve said this before: it is not like top base kids are hitting college and failing out. I see it far more important for success to have the best higher education. Top base kids also have more time (less commuting) to have excellent real world EC experiences.

And you get the best higher education by being well prepared for college. TJ is what prepares you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think my kid could probably get in to a better college from our diverse, high FARMS high school but they want to go to school with other focused kids. Middle school has been a lot of apathetic kids who seem to exist to disrupt things. My kid will not have a super long bus ride, though. We live 15 minutes away

This summer do Khan academy for the math they will be taking in freshman year. Thank me later.