Good luck to all those taking the TJ test today

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our test site was a bit of a cluster with people waiting outside and they would only take in a few kids at a time to check in. Plus a bunch of kids brought backpacks and couldn’t bring them in. I’m hoping things went more smoothly once the kids were inside.

Why would kids bring backpacks when they were told not to bring anything? I think if you can’t follow simple directions, they should take a lot of points off the top right there.

I don’t know. The email was clear about what to bring, and said not to bring watches or electronics. I guess people thought they could throw it all in a backpack. There were probably 15 or so backpacks stored near the door. Some kids gave it to their parents if they were standing near the door. Getting in the door was a major headache for us- kids were crowded on a stairway and they only let in a few kids at a time. The rest were out in the cold waiting. It could have run more smoothly. The test went about 30 minutes past 12 so maybe it was due to some of these issues.

[Anonymous]

It was super cold and windy yesterday and most kids didn’t wear jackets obviously trying to bring less stuff to carry . Most people were carrying 1 gallon ziplocks with snacks and pencils . it’s paper and pencil test and kids get break 15 min after first testing that all we know. Honestly I prefer our base school shorter distance, kids get more sleep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP thanks for the thoughtful post. What time does your DC2 go to bed?

PP on this. DC2 usually goes to bed around 10, gets up 6:30. It is more a question of when she chooses to go to bed. 80% of the time, homework is done before 9pm. BUT, DC2 has not his junior year yet. I expect DC2 will be more pressed when there are more APs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good luck to everyone. I know this is a long and stressful process. Please make sure you keep some perspective. I know it’s hard when the process is so long.

My DC1 is at TJ. And it’s a great school for that kid. But it is a long commute from Western Fairfax, and long days. Catches the bust at 7:30. Out of school at 4. Does an EC from 4:30-7:30, but often finishes at 8. Home at 8:30, for dinner, a shower, homework. Bed after midnight many nights. Works hard for solid grades, but not exceptional. Loves the school, loves the kids. Is getting a great education. Is often stressed. It takes a toll on him, and takes a toll on us.

DC2 was a TJ finalist who was not admitted. Was devastated at the time. But started base HS with a good attitude. Also works hard, and has a much stronger GPS. Does an EC and is usually home by 6. Is getting enough sleep. Also loves the school, also loves the peer group. Will likely end up at the same caliber college as the TJ kid. Is getting a great education.

The point is that TJ is an amazing school especially for the right kid. But like anything worth having, it comes at a cost. And many of the base school will also provide a great education and also have smart, motivated kids who are going places.

I hope everyone’s kid gets into arak, if that’s what they want. But please help your kid keep it in perspective. It’s a great school. But not the only school where they can be successful.

Isn't your DC1 stressed out and sleep deprived because of the EC activity that takes 3-3.5 hours every day? It has nothing to do with TJ. When our DD was accepted by TJ, I felt so worried in advance because I read plenty of messages like yours. She just finished her first quarter at TJ and gets all As so far. She has plenty of time for EC activities, part-time job, friends, and screen time. Nobody in our family is stressed out because of her school.

I’m glad for your DD, but give it time. TJ eases kids in slowly and 3rd-4th quarter, when the IBET project and Robot Project, and a Romeo and Juliet 5th Act all come due at once, and they leave RS and start “real TJ math”. arms is a cakewalk. For many kids, a TJ Math is not so much. Then things get much more time consuming and stressful.

And the freshman load is just lighter, on purpose. There is more forgiveness, better curving, and more support. Sophomore and junior years are the tough ones at TJ. And almost no one ends up graduating with straight As. Very few kids would say the can manage TJ, plus an EC, plus a job, plus friends and screen time, and get sleep. Maybe your kid is the exception. But recognize it will get much harder.

And yes, a time consuming EC hurts. As does a long commute. But strangely my kids grades are higher when he does his EC. And, of course, you need more to get into a good college out of a TJ than grades. An UW 4.0 with no substantive ECs is a problem.

[Anonymous]

Wow! It sounds so stressful. We will have a really hard decision to make if DC made TJ. What ECs are usually done at the 8th period? What ECs take 3 hours a day? My DC likes the curriculum but also wants to do band, art, sports, debate, and LOTS of reading, and also needs at least 8 hours of sleep everyday. With a long commute is that at all possible at TJ?

[Anonymous]

Also, keep in mind that some IBET teams are easier than others. Last year, DD was in a "harder" IBET and it was a struggle to earn As. This year, as a sophomore, she has the "harder" HUM history teacher and her many time-consuming assignments. She has barely any time to dedicate to her other classes, let alone EC outside of school, job, or social media. This year, her EC are done during 8th period, then she has a long commute home to hours of homework. I think your experience at TJ is definitely dependent on luck. There are some easier teachers that might make your kids' experience at TJ better. So far, my DD has had no luck and as the kids call it, everyday is a grind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow! It sounds so stressful. We will have a really hard decision to make if DC made TJ. What ECs are usually done at the 8th period? What ECs take 3 hours a day? My DC likes the curriculum but also wants to do band, art, sports, debate, and LOTS of reading, and also needs at least 8 hours of sleep everyday. With a long commute is that at all possible at TJ?

People make it sound so stressful, and I don't know why. I wouldn't allow my child to be so stressed out for years because her happiness is much more important than grades or future college. DD does a lot of homework on the bus, always did, and therefore has plenty of time to relax at home. She said a lot of kids choose just to chit-chat on the bus.

The school offers over 200 activities for its 8th period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I’m glad for your DD, but give it time. TJ eases kids in slowly and 3rd-4th quarter, when the IBET project and Robot Project, and a Romeo and Juliet 5th Act all come due at once, and they leave RS and start “real TJ math”. arms is a cakewalk. For many kids, a TJ Math is not so much. Then things get much more time consuming and stressful.

And the freshman load is just lighter, on purpose. There is more forgiveness, better curving, and more support. Sophomore and junior years are the tough ones at TJ. And almost no one ends up graduating with straight As. Very few kids would say the can manage TJ, plus an EC, plus a job, plus friends and screen time, and get sleep. Maybe your kid is the exception. But recognize it will get much harder.

And yes, a time consuming EC hurts. As does a long commute. But strangely my kids grades are higher when he does his EC. And, of course, you need more to get into a good college out of a TJ than grades. An UW 4.0 with no substantive ECs is a problem.

It's ok, if it gets much harder, she can quit her job then. I have such a relaxed attitude toward grades. She is at TJ to learn as much as possible and use the opportunities to explore, not to get all As and get into the best college. Although she acknowledged that her classmates are way too focused on grades - not sure if it's because of their parents or their own perfectionism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow! It sounds so stressful. We will have a really hard decision to make if DC made TJ. What ECs are usually done at the 8th period? What ECs take 3 hours a day? My DC likes the curriculum but also wants to do band, art, sports, debate, and LOTS of reading, and also needs at least 8 hours of sleep everyday. With a long commute is that at all possible at TJ?

Most clubs and academic teams meet 8th period. Although many also require an out of school piece as well. Spanish clulture club— confined to just 8th period. Biology Olympiad, trying to make the national team— takes over all free time.

After school, marching band, sports and drama come to mind. My kid does marching band, and it is very time consuming. 3 dull weeks in the summer, including 8 days of away camp. 1.5 hours Monday, 3 hours Tu/Th, plus an extra half hour each nigh to put equipment away and clean up. Friday night football games, with practice between school and the game. Full days most Saturdays for either practice (early in the season) or competition (later). Drama can be similarly intense in the lead up to plays, and then ease of for a while. Various sports take varying levels of commitment for practice, plus meets. Crew takes a ton of time. There are always a lot of kids after school. And a lot of non-band kids doing activities when I do 7:30 band pickup (which is closer to 8).

And these are big activities. In a school of 1700, over 100 kids are in band. Crew and drama (acting plus tech) are also huge numbers of kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow! It sounds so stressful. We will have a really hard decision to make if DC made TJ. What ECs are usually done at the 8th period? What ECs take 3 hours a day? My DC likes the curriculum but also wants to do band, art, sports, debate, and LOTS of reading, and also needs at least 8 hours of sleep everyday. With a long commute is that at all possible at TJ?

Most clubs and academic teams meet 8th period. Although many also require an out of school piece as well. Spanish clulture club— confined to just 8th period. Biology Olympiad, trying to make the national team— takes over all free time.

After school, marching band, sports and drama come to mind. My kid does marching band, and it is very time consuming. 3 dull weeks in the summer, including 8 days of away camp. 1.5 hours Monday, 3 hours Tu/Th, plus an extra half hour each nigh to put equipment away and clean up. Friday night football games, with practice between school and the game. Full days most Saturdays for either practice (early in the season) or competition (later). Drama can be similarly intense in the lead up to plays, and then ease of for a while. Various sports take varying levels of commitment for practice, plus meets. Crew takes a ton of time. There are always a lot of kids after school. And a lot of non-band kids doing activities when I do 7:30 band pickup (which is closer to 8).

And these are big activities. In a school of 1700, over 100 kids are in band. Crew and drama (acting plus tech) are also huge numbers of kids.

Do you have to do marching band if you want to do symphonic band or jazz band?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow! It sounds so stressful. We will have a really hard decision to make if DC made TJ. What ECs are usually done at the 8th period? What ECs take 3 hours a day? My DC likes the curriculum but also wants to do band, art, sports, debate, and LOTS of reading, and also needs at least 8 hours of sleep everyday. With a long commute is that at all possible at TJ?

Most clubs and academic teams meet 8th period. Although many also require an out of school piece as well. Spanish clulture club— confined to just 8th period. Biology Olympiad, trying to make the national team— takes over all free time.

After school, marching band, sports and drama come to mind. My kid does marching band, and it is very time consuming. 3 dull weeks in the summer, including 8 days of away camp. 1.5 hours Monday, 3 hours Tu/Th, plus an extra half hour each nigh to put equipment away and clean up. Friday night football games, with practice between school and the game. Full days most Saturdays for either practice (early in the season) or competition (later). Drama can be similarly intense in the lead up to plays, and then ease of for a while. Various sports take varying levels of commitment for practice, plus meets. Crew takes a ton of time. There are always a lot of kids after school. And a lot of non-band kids doing activities when I do 7:30 band pickup (which is closer to 8).

And these are big activities. In a school of 1700, over 100 kids are in band. Crew and drama (acting plus tech) are also huge numbers of kids.

Do you have to do marching band if you want to do symphonic band or jazz band?

TJ Bands tries to be very flexible. No band student is required to march. But most do, and love it. Great program, great group of kids. The director consistently wins teacher of the year. You can also take a year off of curricular band (which happens sophomore or junior year for many kids who need to fit in an extra class) and keep marching anyway. Also, strings can march percussion or pit. Starting this year or next year, you are supposed to get a .5 honors bump for band of strings if you do TJMC.

[Anonymous]

Is today the alternate test date? Are they bumping it two hours later? Good luck again today!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:picked up my kid a Longfellow MS today after the TJ exam, didn't know that there was a Indian/Asian convention there. While I was waiting for my kid out side the school, I count there were less than ten white people waiting for their kids.

TJ is already over 70% Asian... so it's not surprising that you would see relatively few white kids and many Asian kids.

TJ is not a regular school. Working hard won’t guarantee a good grade. It takes grits, a lot of it, especially if you want to be the cream. It takes a lot of humility too. So it is not a good fit for everyone. Race would be the wrong measure for sure.

[Anonymous]

How do the kids who took the test feel?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow! It sounds so stressful. We will have a really hard decision to make if DC made TJ. What ECs are usually done at the 8th period? What ECs take 3 hours a day? My DC likes the curriculum but also wants to do band, art, sports, debate, and LOTS of reading, and also needs at least 8 hours of sleep everyday. With a long commute is that at all possible at TJ?

Most clubs and academic teams meet 8th period. Although many also require an out of school piece as well. Spanish clulture club— confined to just 8th period. Biology Olympiad, trying to make the national team— takes over all free time.

After school, marching band, sports and drama come to mind. My kid does marching band, and it is very time consuming. 3 dull weeks in the summer, including 8 days of away camp. 1.5 hours Monday, 3 hours Tu/Th, plus an extra half hour each nigh to put equipment away and clean up. Friday night football games, with practice between school and the game. Full days most Saturdays for either practice (early in the season) or competition (later). Drama can be similarly intense in the lead up to plays, and then ease of for a while. Various sports take varying levels of commitment for practice, plus meets. Crew takes a ton of time. There are always a lot of kids after school. And a lot of non-band kids doing activities when I do 7:30 band pickup (which is closer to 8).

And these are big activities. In a school of 1700, over 100 kids are in band. Crew and drama (acting plus tech) are also huge numbers of kids.

Do you have to do marching band if you want to do symphonic band or jazz band?

TJ Bands tries to be very flexible. No band student is required to march. But most do, and love it. Great program, great group of kids. The director consistently wins teacher of the year. You can also take a year off of curricular band (which happens sophomore or junior year for many kids who need to fit in an extra class) and keep marching anyway. Also, strings can march percussion or pit. Starting this year or next year, you are supposed to get a .5 honors bump for band of strings if you do TJMC.

How about other schools? Do they require marching band?