My child isn't sure they want to go to TJ

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the difference between TJ and local high school instruction for the 9-11th grade? Looks like in 12th grade they get to do research in their fancy labs, but I want to know the difference for the other 3 years.

9-11th grade reasearch opportunities in the underclass JUMP lab
STEM summer internship opportunities
Required Design Technology Freshman year
Freshman Bio and Sophomore Chemistry taught at AP level, and out of the AP books
Required CS by the end of sophomore year, taught at AP level
Required research stats class freshman year
Integrated learners no: IBET, CHUM (or C+HUM) and 2 class humanities blocks junior & senior years
Required pre-recs for your senior lab by the end of junior year: https://fcps.tjhsst.edu/coursemgmt/media/300/resource/LAB%20PREREQs%20Class%20of%202017%20v2.pdf

Math taught on a semester model that condenses 2 years of A2/Pre-Calc into 3 semesters
Math homework based on packets, because the teachers have agreed that the problem sets in the textbooks are "too easy"
Foreign languages taught as immersion classes
8th period clubs and activities
Every class taught at a higher, harder and deeper level, and moves much faster. Freshman and sophomore classes at TJ generally align with freshman and sophomore college classes

And, most importantly, the peer group

That's just off the top of my head...

In other words lots of stuff to let the insufferable tiger moms keep bragging about how advanced their kids are.

AKA-- a really rigorous, very challenging education. It is a ton of hard work. It requires sacrifices and tradeoffs. If it's not your thing, don't send your kid.

PP asked how it was different from the base school grades 9-11. This is how. Certainly you don't think TJ end up as the top school in the country academically (most NMSFs, most perfect AP scores, highest average SATs, most kids admitted to MIT, kids on the national Physics Olympics team, Intel winners, etc., etc.) by having a slacker curriculum? It is extremely difficult. And 90+% of the kids there have signed up to attend TJ have to work incredibly hard to keep up, when they could coast through their base school with minimal effort and get a 4.0 with 8-10 APs. But, they chose the tough path instead. And most end up at top STEM colleges.

The TJ curriculum is very, very different than the base school curriculum. And if you and your kid decide that's not what they want out of high school, that's a valid choice, even if your kid is downright brilliant. You certainly give things up to attend TJ-- sleep, commute time, all the extra hours studying each week when you could be having a "normal" social life, football games and social events and going to HS with the friends you have attended school with for years. And once there, you will end up with a lower GPA, for much more work. Some kids embrace the challege anyways. My kid does it because he was bored in a strong ES and MS AAP programs, and gets excited by the classwork and assignments. He also is a nerdy kid who feels like he belongs and has found his peer group. But every kid has a different answer about why they are there.

It would be nice if parents who opt not to send their kids to TJ could recognize the sacrifice involved in TJ, and that there is something admirable about kids who push themselves academically. As opposed to those parents just being snarky. You can admit that TJ kids work very hard and give things up to get the TJ diploma doesn't mean it's the best choice to your family or your kid. But, why would you not praise the hard work and perisitence of TJ kids who put all that time and energy into an elite academic program.

And understand-- I am proud of my kid for attending TJ. Not because I want bragging rights, but I am proud of him for rising to the challenge of TJ and stretching himself academically.

My kids have no talent in sports, and no desire to spend hours a day to practice a sport at a high level. They are musicians, in a school and community band/orchestra way, but are not putting in the hours of daily practice necessary to apply to Juilliard or Oberlin and become a professional musician. And yet, I admire kids who put in the time and commitment to follow their Olympic of NCAA Div I dream, or to apply to Julliard, or to Oberlin. I admire the hard work, and determination, and their willingness to sacrifice to chase a passion. So, why not have a similar respect for TJ kids?

So enough of the hating. You do what's best for your kid. My kid loves TJ, loves the quirky nerdy student body, loves attending Hack TJ and participating in iNite, and loves that he is attending a school where perople share his interest. It works for him, for reasons that have nothing to do with bragging rights. So, give your fellow parents the benefit or the doubt, and assume that parents who send kids to TJ are doing what the think is best for their specific kid. Just like I don't judge parents who have kids accepted to TJ, but decide it's not the right choice, and send their kid to the base school or private. And I don't judge parents whose kids spend hours a day on non-academic passions (music, art, sports, writing, etc). They know their kid, and their family situation best.

We are all trying to do right by our kids. Maybe keep that in mind the net time you decide to tear down another parent who is just trying to do right by their kid. And for FFS stop tearing down 14-18 year olds who give up a lot to follow a passion or pursued a dream. It's petty, and unnecessary.

Great information ! Thanks a bunch ! was worried about DD's decision to goto TJ as she is smart (not saying because my child) and lazy too. this make me worried. Appreciate for taking time to provide the valuable info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the difference between TJ and local high school instruction for the 9-11th grade? Looks like in 12th grade they get to do research in their fancy labs, but I want to know the difference for the other 3 years.

9-11th grade reasearch opportunities in the underclass JUMP lab
STEM summer internship opportunities
Required Design Technology Freshman year
Freshman Bio and Sophomore Chemistry taught at AP level, and out of the AP books
Required CS by the end of sophomore year, taught at AP level
Required research stats class freshman year
Integrated learners no: IBET, CHUM (or C+HUM) and 2 class humanities blocks junior & senior years
Required pre-recs for your senior lab by the end of junior year: https://fcps.tjhsst.edu/coursemgmt/media/300/resource/LAB%20PREREQs%20Class%20of%202017%20v2.pdf

Math taught on a semester model that condenses 2 years of A2/Pre-Calc into 3 semesters
Math homework based on packets, because the teachers have agreed that the problem sets in the textbooks are "too easy"
Foreign languages taught as immersion classes
8th period clubs and activities
Every class taught at a higher, harder and deeper level, and moves much faster. Freshman and sophomore classes at TJ generally align with freshman and sophomore college classes

And, most importantly, the peer group

That's just off the top of my head...

In other words lots of stuff to let the insufferable tiger moms keep bragging about how advanced their kids are.

AKA-- a really rigorous, very challenging education. It is a ton of hard work. It requires sacrifices and tradeoffs. If it's not your thing, don't send your kid.

PP asked how it was different from the base school grades 9-11. This is how. Certainly you don't think TJ end up as the top school in the country academically (most NMSFs, most perfect AP scores, highest average SATs, most kids admitted to MIT, kids on the national Physics Olympics team, Intel winners, etc., etc.) by having a slacker curriculum? It is extremely difficult. And 90+% of the kids there have signed up to attend TJ have to work incredibly hard to keep up, when they could coast through their base school with minimal effort and get a 4.0 with 8-10 APs. But, they chose the tough path instead. And most end up at top STEM colleges.

The TJ curriculum is very, very different than the base school curriculum. And if you and your kid decide that's not what they want out of high school, that's a valid choice, even if your kid is downright brilliant. You certainly give things up to attend TJ-- sleep, commute time, all the extra hours studying each week when you could be having a "normal" social life, football games and social events and going to HS with the friends you have attended school with for years. And once there, you will end up with a lower GPA, for much more work. Some kids embrace the challege anyways. My kid does it because he was bored in a strong ES and MS AAP programs, and gets excited by the classwork and assignments. He also is a nerdy kid who feels like he belongs and has found his peer group. But every kid has a different answer about why they are there.

It would be nice if parents who opt not to send their kids to TJ could recognize the sacrifice involved in TJ, and that there is something admirable about kids who push themselves academically. As opposed to those parents just being snarky. You can admit that TJ kids work very hard and give things up to get the TJ diploma doesn't mean it's the best choice to your family or your kid. But, why would you not praise the hard work and perisitence of TJ kids who put all that time and energy into an elite academic program.

And understand-- I am proud of my kid for attending TJ. Not because I want bragging rights, but I am proud of him for rising to the challenge of TJ and stretching himself academically.

My kids have no talent in sports, and no desire to spend hours a day to practice a sport at a high level. They are musicians, in a school and community band/orchestra way, but are not putting in the hours of daily practice necessary to apply to Juilliard or Oberlin and become a professional musician. And yet, I admire kids who put in the time and commitment to follow their Olympic of NCAA Div I dream, or to apply to Julliard, or to Oberlin. I admire the hard work, and determination, and their willingness to sacrifice to chase a passion. So, why not have a similar respect for TJ kids?

So enough of the hating. You do what's best for your kid. My kid loves TJ, loves the quirky nerdy student body, loves attending Hack TJ and participating in iNite, and loves that he is attending a school where perople share his interest. It works for him, for reasons that have nothing to do with bragging rights. So, give your fellow parents the benefit or the doubt, and assume that parents who send kids to TJ are doing what the think is best for their specific kid. Just like I don't judge parents who have kids accepted to TJ, but decide it's not the right choice, and send their kid to the base school or private. And I don't judge parents whose kids spend hours a day on non-academic passions (music, art, sports, writing, etc). They know their kid, and their family situation best.

We are all trying to do right by our kids. Maybe keep that in mind the net time you decide to tear down another parent who is just trying to do right by their kid. And for FFS stop tearing down 14-18 year olds who give up a lot to follow a passion or pursued a dream. It's petty, and unnecessary.

+1000

[Anonymous]

+1 to the substantial posts. My DS is a senior at TJ. it is a VERY difficult school and nothing like the base school. The courses are college level in about 10 grade ( mid level college) it is a sacrifice of time and a "typical " HS experience. It works perfectly for some but not for others. It is not a ticket to the Ivies or even to UVA. UVA wants the top 10% and the top 10% at TJ often choose a different school. But they still take a spot in admissions. 75% of the class goes to either UVA, W&M or Vtech. If those are your choices you might be better at the base school. But at 14 you don't really know. But guaranteed-- it will be a lot of work and time

[Anonymous]

OP. What did your kid decide to do - go to TJ or not?

[Anonymous]

The PP explained TJ for her DC. There are students at TJ who are just naturally brilliant. But most know who they are. They are not just smart. Usually these students have famil members who are also very smart. Like teach physics at MIT. Left thier country to attend Harvard like everyone else I the family. Uncle is a famous writer or inventor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The PP explained TJ for her DC. There are students at TJ who are just naturally brilliant. But most know who they are. They are not just smart. Usually these students have famil members who are also very smart. Like teach physics at MIT. Left thier country to attend Harvard like everyone else I the family. Uncle is a famous writer or inventor.

I don't know what you imply by that statement. Can the naturally brilliant skip hard work and be successful? or is hard work, passion, motivation are qualities needed along with above average brilliance to make someone successful?

My child is going to TJ, and while I would like to think DC is brilliant, I would not compromise on the other qualities mentioned above. We have family members that are teaching at MIT and Harvard, on both parents side, and have successful people in other people. We like to think these people worked very hard to get where they are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The PP explained TJ for her DC. There are students at TJ who are just naturally brilliant. But most know who they are. They are not just smart. Usually these students have famil members who are also very smart. Like teach physics at MIT. Left thier country to attend Harvard like everyone else I the family. Uncle is a famous writer or inventor.

I don't know what you imply by that statement. Can the naturally brilliant skip hard work and be successful? or is hard work, passion, motivation are qualities needed along with above average brilliance to make someone successful?

My child is going to TJ, and while I would like to think DC is brilliant, I would not compromise on the other qualities mentioned above. We have family members that are teaching at MIT and Harvard, on both parents side, and have successful people in other people. We like to think these people worked very hard to get where they are.

PP - meant to say successful people (family members) in other fields.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The PP explained TJ for her DC. There are students at TJ who are just naturally brilliant. But most know who they are. They are not just smart. Usually these students have famil members who are also very smart. Like teach physics at MIT. Left thier country to attend Harvard like everyone else I the family. Uncle is a famous writer or inventor.

I don't know what you imply by that statement. Can the naturally brilliant skip hard work and be successful? or is hard work, passion, motivation are qualities needed along with above average brilliance to make someone successful?

My child is going to TJ, and while I would like to think DC is brilliant, I would not compromise on the other qualities mentioned above. We have family members that are teaching at MIT and Harvard, on both parents side, and have successful people in other people. We like to think these people worked very hard to get where they are.

Oh please. I didn't mean to say they didn't work. It's just that ... like everyone can't play for the NFL so too in academic s. it helps to have what it takes. And that's more than just "smart". But find out for yourself. I was talking about the "naturally brilliant " at TJ which is not everyone by any means.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The PP explained TJ for her DC. There are students at TJ who are just naturally brilliant. But most know who they are. They are not just smart. Usually these students have famil members who are also very smart. Like teach physics at MIT. Left thier country to attend Harvard like everyone else I the family. Uncle is a famous writer or inventor.

I don't know what you imply by that statement. Can the naturally brilliant skip hard work and be successful? or is hard work, passion, motivation are qualities needed along with above average brilliance to make someone successful?

My child is going to TJ, and while I would like to think DC is brilliant, I would not compromise on the other qualities mentioned above. We have family members that are teaching at MIT and Harvard, on both parents side, and have successful people in other people. We like to think these people worked very hard to get where they are.

Oh please. I didn't mean to say they didn't work. It's just that ... like everyone can't play for the NFL so too in academic s. it helps to have what it takes. And that's more than just "smart". But find out for yourself. I was talking about the "naturally brilliant " at TJ which is not everyone by any means.

There are always naturally brilliant in every field, this isn't something new and limited to TJ / academics. If that was your point, then yeah, but that's just stating the obvious.

[Anonymous]

NOT everyone at TJ is naturally brilliant or finds it easy. Most are working very hard.

[Anonymous]

And some on this thread on in the lucky catagory of much less smart than they think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NOT everyone at TJ is naturally brilliant or finds it easy. Most are working very hard.

IMHO most of the TJ kids are really smart and work hard. What separates them is how they handle deadlines and pressure, how well they organize their time, and an ability to study/do hw effectively during any available time slot.

Personally, I do not have these qualities. I cannot set aside 45 min before soccer practice to write an essay. I need to be in the mood, I need to be in the right frame of mind. I need to be in a quiet place...not on a bus for example.

Truly in awe of those kids who play a sport, take rigorous courses, do well, and are mentally healthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NOT everyone at TJ is naturally brilliant or finds it easy. Most are working very hard.

IMHO most of the TJ kids are really smart and work hard. What separates them is how they handle deadlines and pressure, how well they organize their time, and an ability to study/do hw effectively during any available time slot.

Personally, I do not have these qualities. I cannot set aside 45 min before soccer practice to write an essay. I need to be in the mood, I need to be in the right frame of mind. I need to be in a quiet place...not on a bus for example.

Truly in awe of those kids who play a sport, take rigorous courses, do well, and are mentally healthy.

Mine did all of the above: organized, activities, varsity, awards, clubs, rigorous courses, but it took a toll on mental health.

[Anonymous]

OP here. DC has decided to go. I am being very supportive but to be honest I'm nervous bc of all of the warnings I've read here from some parents.

[Anonymous]

Yeah it's hard to turn down. Keep a close watch on your D.C. and GL. It's great for some students.