Advice for the new TJ batch

[Anonymous]

almost all of this advice is garbage and shows the major problems with TJ

you should only apply if you actually have interest in STEM you should be factoring in commute and knowing about that before you apply

now some actual advice the biggest difference is your child won't be one of the smartest people anymore. This is the biggest difference especially if they aren't coming from one of the big AAP centers

Other than that nothing to worry about

Congratulations to your kid and for the love quit helicoptering

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How will student athlete be doing in TJ. DC is playing sports almost 3 hours per day. Anyone can share any experience?

Individual or team sport? Individual sports seem to do well, team sports while a great EC aren’t always competitive. If your talking about time commitment, your kid will quickly learn time management or will start to struggle. Definitely doable (along with other TJ Is ECs), but your kid has got to be able to stay on top of their work.

Thanks for your reply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:almost all of this advice is garbage and shows the major problems with TJ

you should only apply if you actually have interest in STEM you should be factoring in commute and knowing about that before you apply

now some actual advice the biggest difference is your child won't be one of the smartest people anymore. This is the biggest difference especially if they aren't coming from one of the big AAP centers

Other than that nothing to worry about

Congratulations to your kid and for the love quit helicoptering

This is a great point. Every kid at TJ is used to be an academic superstar. It is very unlikely your kid will be an academic standout at TJ. There are always people with higher GPAs, more APs, a higher level of math or a national medal in something. It helps a lot to stay focused on the fact that if your kid runs their own race and takes the right courses for them, does extracurriculars they love and works hard, they will be highly successful by any sane person’s definition. In a school where attending WM / VT Engineering is considered a disappointing outcome, you need to keep an eye on the big picture. These are great college options, and ones many, many very smart, very hard working kids in FCPS would kill to have this month.

Your kid is in it 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, plus commute. As a parent, it’s important that you stay grounded. And surprisingly hard to do so sometimes. Keeping your head about you, while all those around you are losing theirs, etc...

[Anonymous]

It sounds like it’s not worth it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like it’s not worth it!

It was for my kid. But it definately isn’t for everyone.

[Anonymous]

For a new TJ freshmen- make your world language selection wisely. Spanish is notoriously hard at TJ with a large number of students struggling and eventually choosing not to take AP Spanish. There is the opposite dynamic with Japanese, German and Russian.

[Anonymous]

How is French? What level should they take as a freshman in TJ, My DC did one year in French in 8th grade and probably will stick with A.

[Anonymous]

How is Latin? Mine’s been doing Latin for two years. Are the teachers nice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is Latin? Mine’s been doing Latin for two years. Are the teachers nice?

Latin teachers are excellent! Over half of the latin class got gold medals on national latin exams every year.TJ Latin Class is not easy for sure, but most students work hard and love it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For a new TJ freshmen- make your world language selection wisely. Spanish is notoriously hard at TJ with a large number of students struggling and eventually choosing not to take AP Spanish. There is the opposite dynamic with Japanese, German and Russian.

Definately this. My kid an A in Spanish I at TJ after taking Sp I in Ms and not testing into SpII. Night B in SP II— but not a B+. And worked way harder than he should have given this classes is not considered “honors”. Took Spanish III on line over the summer between 9th and 10th.. It was an easy A, and he was done.

So if your kid is on the Spanish track, and just wants to get the language requirement done, that’s an option. If your kid has two years of Spanish, they could do online this summer and go into HS with their afL requirement done. And Spanish is the only language in FCPS where it’s an option.

Once you take Spanish III on line, you can’t come back to TJ Sp IV or AP. Nevertheless, a lot of the Spanish kids do Spanish III online, either summer or school year. They have enough on their plates without killing themselves.

Based on reputation, of my kid was starting from scratch— Japanese, German, or Russian, which are fun. Followed by Latin. Not Chinese. A lot of native speakers take it to finish WL credit, which kills the curve. Not Spanish.

I have heard very little about French.

[Anonymous]

Excellent advice on language. Can you please suggest on other course selections, if the kid took geometry in Math and honors level science, English, social? Also, any recommendations on electives?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is Latin? Mine’s been doing Latin for two years. Are the teachers nice?

Latin teachers are excellent! Over half of the latin class got gold medals on national latin exams every year.TJ Latin Class is not easy for sure, but most students work hard and love it.

I second latin - the kids organize lunch lectures on latin and roman history out of pure enthusiasm for the language - it really is a robust curriculum and great group of kids.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone take TJ Math 6?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:almost all of this advice is garbage and shows the major problems with TJ

you should only apply if you actually have interest in STEM you should be factoring in commute and knowing about that before you apply

now some actual advice the biggest difference is your child won't be one of the smartest people anymore. This is the biggest difference especially if they aren't coming from one of the big AAP centers

Other than that nothing to worry about

Congratulations to your kid and for the love quit helicoptering

So we were aware of the commute before DS got in. But I've only now realised that with the long day he will have at TJ, this super long commute will actually be very taxing. Have people ever moved to be closer to the school?

[Anonymous]

We are also contemplating on moving. DC wants to try 2 sports, so with practice times and late pickup, we were thinking if it makes sense to move. We are ready to ease the next 4 years as much as possible. Any thoughts is appreciated.