Pros and cons of Loudoun's version of TJ (AOS) vs. TJ model -- part time vs. full time

[Anonymous]

2 ez i got into all 3 not even a challenge get better

[Anonymous]

AOS is not “Loudoun’s version of TJ”, and has never claimed to be.

[Anonymous]

A more appropriate comparison would be [TJ] vs. [Base High School + AOS/AET].

Even after enrolling in AOS/AET, substantial course work is still done at Base High School.

[Anonymous]

Anyone claiming AOS/AET plus base school is not all that hard doesnt have a kid in AOS/AET.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone claiming AOS/AET plus base school is not all that hard doesnt have a kid in AOS/AET.

for those struggling to understand numbers can be added to letters, many things are expected to be hard. Revel in the aos/aet glory, but it's miles behind TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you familiar with the way Loudoun is structuring their Academy of Sciences/Engineering vs. the TJ model? AOS will host kids who qualify every other day -- so every kid who goes there will still take classes (like history and english) at his/her base HS. Then they go to AOS on certain days for their science/tech/math classes. They will be able to serve 2500 kids... and those kids still get to have their neighborhood connections and local high school experience.

As I was reading the other thread about Sci Olym., and the discussion of TJ and who gets into what college.. etc. I just wondered if there was some sense in the way Loudoun is planning to schedule their academy. If TJ is really all about excellence in Sci/Tech/Math, then there really isn't a need for kids to take up space taking engl/hist/band/orch/etc. there.

With block scheduling, it makes a lot of sense to me -- that the academy focuses on sci/math instruction. https://www.lcps.org/domain/4823

What do you think?

Sounds like Loudon's model enables more kids to get these richer opportunities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone claiming AOS/AET plus base school is not all that hard doesnt have a kid in AOS/AET.

for those struggling to understand numbers can be added to letters, many things are expected to be hard. Revel in the aos/aet glory, but it's miles behind TJ.

And yet miles more students get to participate in AOE/AET, so in the end, Loudoun County students win. There are probably 5 qualified students for every TJ slot. Most of those qualified students get passed over. That's the sad reality. Sure, those who get picked win the lottery but the majority miss out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone claiming AOS/AET plus base school is not all that hard doesnt have a kid in AOS/AET.

for those struggling to understand numbers can be added to letters, many things are expected to be hard. Revel in the aos/aet glory, but it's miles behind TJ.

And yet miles more students get to participate in AOE/AET, so in the end, Loudoun County students win. There are probably 5 qualified students for every TJ slot. Most of those qualified students get passed over. That's the sad reality. Sure, those who get picked win the lottery but the majority miss out.

Academies of Loudoun is a part time program facility available for students from all 18 loudoun high schools, and supports about four times the capacity of TJ for comparable courses. Over a thousand attend MATA program courses, and about 500+ per year enroll in four year AOS/AET, and hundreds more attend the advanced two year programs. All of these are part time programs for base high school students. The AOS/AET has admissions process that happens to roughly align with TJ admissions, and people start to compare them as equal choices. They are not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you familiar with the way Loudoun is structuring their Academy of Sciences/Engineering vs. the TJ model? AOS will host kids who qualify every other day -- so every kid who goes there will still take classes (like history and english) at his/her base HS. Then they go to AOS on certain days for their science/tech/math classes. They will be able to serve 2500 kids... and those kids still get to have their neighborhood connections and local high school experience.

As I was reading the other thread about Sci Olym., and the discussion of TJ and who gets into what college.. etc. I just wondered if there was some sense in the way Loudoun is planning to schedule their academy. If TJ is really all about excellence in Sci/Tech/Math, then there really isn't a need for kids to take up space taking engl/hist/band/orch/etc. there.

With block scheduling, it makes a lot of sense to me -- that the academy focuses on sci/math instruction. https://www.lcps.org/domain/4823

What do you think?

We are also considering ditching FCPS, due to the declining academic content / quality, drugs, and crime in schools in this area.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]I think this entire post highlights why it is not enough to give kids a strong STEM education only. Success in life (and writing a coherent DCUM post) also requires an ability to communicate clearly.

AOS kids will never hold their own with TJ kids if they are not getting the strong English foundation you need for the verbal section of the PSAT and SAT or the English, history and foreign language background to ace the APs and SAT subject tests in these areas. They will also not have the ability to write strong college essays.

I would also hate for my kid to attend 2 schools, PT each. There is a good chance you end up feeling like you don't really belong in either place. The TJ model makes you part of your school community. Things like Hack TJ, iNite, homecoming, freshman lock-in and ANGP are unique to TJ and create a sense of community.

I see no upside to the AOS model except it can serve more kids. Which is not entirely positive. Are there really 600-700 kids a year from Loudoun Co. alone who can perform at the level of TJ kids? It seems doubtful. So what you get is a watered down, less rigorous curriculum in STEM and a base school level curriculum in everything else. [/quote]



Ok I go to AOS and firstly, scoring high on the PSAT and SAT doesn’t require much proficiency in English or writing in general. Everyone likes to make a big deal out of the liberal arts classes but they really aren’t hard compared to science and math. Although it’s better to have a higher level of knowledge in English and writing, it’s not absolutely necessary to do well on the PSAT and SAT. A lot of people forget that those tests are designed for regular students and attending the academies or TJ means you’re already able to learn these skills on your own. AOS is better because it’s more college structured. Sure you take a few English and history classes, but if your major is biology, why have that proficiency when you won’t use it to the extent as an English major would? I took AP world history at a regular high school and if I’m being honest, it doesn’t matter what school you go to in that sense. With AP classes, you’re getting the same AP exam with the same preparation, so you can’t argue that TJ would prepare you better for APs or DEs. Next up you talked about attending two schools and not having the ability fit in. If I’m being completely honest, it’s really not that big of a deal. Yeah obviously the transition was odd freshman year, but if you know how to open your mouth you can become friends with people. I like the two school system because I get bored of talking with my every day friends and sometimes need my school-oriented friends as well. It’s a good balance and it lets you see that there’s more to life than just school while making school a priority, unlike TJ. The TJ model gives out “unique” extracurriculars that other schools do as well. You think other schools don’t have their unique traditions? I may be biased, but the AOS model is the most balanced model there is. You can’t say that AOS is watered down without seeing the curriculum and actually being there. I thought it was a rip off when I first applied as well, but being there is completely different. AOS is focused on practicality while TJ is focused on trying to be the best at everything, which isn’t possible and not necessary. AOS teaches you the necessary skills to actually learn on your own and implement it in areas outside of their coursework. I’ve grown as a person at AOS and I don’t know if I’d be able to say the same at TJ.

[Anonymous]

AOS/AET combined take about 300 kids a year, not 500+. AOS is slowly expanding to reach AET's capacity but it still will not go past 400.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]
Ok I go to AOS and firstly, scoring high on the PSAT and SAT doesn’t require much proficiency in English or writing in general. Everyone likes to make a big deal out of the liberal arts classes but they really aren’t hard compared to science and math. Although it’s better to have a higher level of knowledge in English and writing, it’s not absolutely necessary to do well on the PSAT and SAT. A lot of people forget that those tests are designed for regular students and attending the academies or TJ means you’re already able to learn these skills on your own. AOS is better because it’s more college structured. Sure you take a few English and history classes, but if your major is biology, why have that proficiency when you won’t use it to the extent as an English major would? I took AP world history at a regular high school and if I’m being honest, it doesn’t matter what school you go to in that sense. With AP classes, you’re getting the same AP exam with the same preparation, so you can’t argue that TJ would prepare you better for APs or DEs. Next up you talked about attending two schools and not having the ability fit in. If I’m being completely honest, it’s really not that big of a deal. Yeah obviously the transition was odd freshman year, but if you know how to open your mouth you can become friends with people. I like the two school system because I get bored of talking with my every day friends and sometimes need my school-oriented friends as well. It’s a good balance and it lets you see that there’s more to life than just school while making school a priority, unlike TJ. The TJ model gives out “unique” extracurriculars that other schools do as well. You think other schools don’t have their unique traditions? I may be biased, but the AOS model is the most balanced model there is. You can’t say that AOS is watered down without seeing the curriculum and actually being there. I thought it was a rip off when I first applied as well, but being there is completely different. AOS is focused on practicality while TJ is focused on trying to be the best at everything, which isn’t possible and not necessary. AOS teaches you the necessary skills to actually learn on your own and implement it in areas outside of their coursework. I’ve grown as a person at AOS and I don’t know if I’d be able to say the same at TJ. [/quote]

Thank you for the great write-up.

[Anonymous]

TJ is full-time heavyweight, and AOS/AET is part-time lightweight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TJ is full-time heavyweight, and AOS/AET is part-time lightweight.

No its not.
Nothing lightweight about AOS+Base school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ is full-time heavyweight, and AOS/AET is part-time lightweight.

No its not.
Nothing lightweight about AOS+Base school.

Great!

So can we finally have Loudoun stop shuttling kids to TJ?

Thanks!

-Fairfax county parents.