TJ admissions now verifying free and reduced price meal status for successful 2026 applicants

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This is honestly a win-win.

If you answered the question literally and said yes - FCPS is removing the ambiguity and asking you the question again in a clear unambiguous manner. If you qualify, you are good. If you don’t, you are at par with everyone else who does not qualify as it should be. You may still qualify without the points but if you don’t- you miss out on a fair criterion.

If you answered no and felt wronged that others misinterpreted or misrepresented then you should feel good. You are at par with those who erroneously or otherwise answered no. So all is good.

FCPS did not have to create this roundabout process but their incompetence is a story for another day

Agreed - this will get the process much closer to a fair result. I wouldn't go so far as calling it a win-win, though. Still a lot to be desired with the process as a whole. And lots of unnecessary heartbreak for kids who were not admitted at first but later will be or vice versa.

Probably a good life lesson in there.

Life lesson here is to slack and be poor so that the government can give you more freebies or in the least show that you are poor on paper.

Is that really what you took away from this?

There are some really sh1tty people out there.

Yep. I have absolutely no sympathy for people who lied. And that's exactly what it was. However point remains. Message being sent is to slack and fight to show you are poor. I have seen this movie before in other countries. Doesn't end well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This is honestly a win-win.

If you answered the question literally and said yes - FCPS is removing the ambiguity and asking you the question again in a clear unambiguous manner. If you qualify, you are good. If you don’t, you are at par with everyone else who does not qualify as it should be. You may still qualify without the points but if you don’t- you miss out on a fair criterion.

If you answered no and felt wronged that others misinterpreted or misrepresented then you should feel good. You are at par with those who erroneously or otherwise answered no. So all is good.

FCPS did not have to create this roundabout process but their incompetence is a story for another day

Agreed - this will get the process much closer to a fair result. I wouldn't go so far as calling it a win-win, though. Still a lot to be desired with the process as a whole. And lots of unnecessary heartbreak for kids who were not admitted at first but later will be or vice versa.

Probably a good life lesson in there.

Life lesson here is to slack and be poor so that the government can give you more freebies or in the least show that you are poor on paper.

Is that really what you took away from this?

There are some really sh1tty people out there.

Yep. I have absolutely no sympathy for people who lied. And that's exactly what it was. However point remains. Message being sent is to slack and fight to show you are poor. I have seen this movie before in other countries. Doesn't end well.

Which countries?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This is honestly a win-win.

If you answered the question literally and said yes - FCPS is removing the ambiguity and asking you the question again in a clear unambiguous manner. If you qualify, you are good. If you don’t, you are at par with everyone else who does not qualify as it should be. You may still qualify without the points but if you don’t- you miss out on a fair criterion.

If you answered no and felt wronged that others misinterpreted or misrepresented then you should feel good. You are at par with those who erroneously or otherwise answered no. So all is good.

FCPS did not have to create this roundabout process but their incompetence is a story for another day

Agreed - this will get the process much closer to a fair result. I wouldn't go so far as calling it a win-win, though. Still a lot to be desired with the process as a whole. And lots of unnecessary heartbreak for kids who were not admitted at first but later will be or vice versa.

Probably a good life lesson in there.

Life lesson here is to slack and be poor so that the government can give you more freebies or in the least show that you are poor on paper.

Is that really what you took away from this?

There are some really sh1tty people out there.

Yep. I have absolutely no sympathy for people who lied. And that's exactly what it was. However point remains. Message being sent is to slack and fight to show you are poor. I have seen this movie before in other countries. Doesn't end well.

Which countries?

IYKYK. I don't want to give more fodder to the unthinking haters. All I can say that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

[Anonymous]

The sh*tty people are the fools like Keys Gamarra, Corbett Sanders and Anderson, who went all in on class warfare rather than respect academic merit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guarantee that there are parents of admitted students hiring lawyers to respond. FCPS caused this situation by not asking the question clearly for two years in a row despite many parents pointing out the issues.

If admitted parents band together, I don’t see how FCPS can fight them affectively. There are statements on the FCPS website, in email blasts and in news bulletins from school board members. Many of these contain the words “all students are eligible for free meals”.

The TJ admissions office should have done their jobs and figured out a solution BEFORE sending out offers. Not after the sh!t is already out of the horse.

Claiming ignorance isn’t a good look for a TJ applicant. Really, you don’t have the critical thinking skills - or ethics - to answer appropriately?

It’s disingenuous to argue that you weren’t aware of the meaning.

https://www.fcps.edu/registration/thomas-jefferson-high-school-science-and-technology-admissions/tjhsst-freshman

A holistic review will be done of students whose applications demonstrate enhanced merit; 550 seats will then be offered to the highest-evaluated students. Students will be evaluated on their grade point average (GPA); a student portrait sheet where they will be asked to demonstrate Portrait of a Graduate attributes and 21st century skills; a problem-solving essay; and experience factors, including students who are economically disadvantaged, English language learners, or special education students.

Nothing here about pandemic lunches.

The whole idea of experience factors as a relevant factor in TJ admissions is preposterous BS perpetrated by a bunch of woke fraudsters in Gatehouse and on the School Board who would be in remedial classes if they ever had to return to school themselves. Every time you think they can’t do more to destroy TJ they come up with something new.

Geographic factors is something that still makes sense - if you still keep the test and the rest of the process as is. Allows you to pick top kids from different geographies while having a fair process. Everything else is such nonsense and hurts everyone. Hope people learn from this entire fiasco.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This is honestly a win-win.

If you answered the question literally and said yes - FCPS is removing the ambiguity and asking you the question again in a clear unambiguous manner. If you qualify, you are good. If you don’t, you are at par with everyone else who does not qualify as it should be. You may still qualify without the points but if you don’t- you miss out on a fair criterion.

If you answered no and felt wronged that others misinterpreted or misrepresented then you should feel good. You are at par with those who erroneously or otherwise answered no. So all is good.

FCPS did not have to create this roundabout process but their incompetence is a story for another day

Agreed - this will get the process much closer to a fair result. I wouldn't go so far as calling it a win-win, though. Still a lot to be desired with the process as a whole. And lots of unnecessary heartbreak for kids who were not admitted at first but later will be or vice versa.

Probably a good life lesson in there.

Life lesson here is to slack and be poor so that the government can give you more freebies or in the least show that you are poor on paper.

Is that really what you took away from this?

There are some really sh1tty people out there.

Yep. I have absolutely no sympathy for people who lied. And that's exactly what it was. However point remains. Message being sent is to slack and fight to show you are poor. I have seen this movie before in other countries. Doesn't end well.

Which countries?

IYKYK. I don't want to give more fodder to the unthinking haters. All I can say that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

So no countries. Got it. You’re full of sh1t.

Typical baseless histrionics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guarantee that there are parents of admitted students hiring lawyers to respond. FCPS caused this situation by not asking the question clearly for two years in a row despite many parents pointing out the issues.

If admitted parents band together, I don’t see how FCPS can fight them affectively. There are statements on the FCPS website, in email blasts and in news bulletins from school board members. Many of these contain the words “all students are eligible for free meals”.

The TJ admissions office should have done their jobs and figured out a solution BEFORE sending out offers. Not after the sh!t is already out of the horse.

So you’re saying you are among those who misled TJ admissions?

It was a stroke of genius to include this question and filter out all the toxic liars and cheats. I'm so impressed by FCPS!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guarantee that there are parents of admitted students hiring lawyers to respond. FCPS caused this situation by not asking the question clearly for two years in a row despite many parents pointing out the issues.

If admitted parents band together, I don’t see how FCPS can fight them affectively. There are statements on the FCPS website, in email blasts and in news bulletins from school board members. Many of these contain the words “all students are eligible for free meals”.

The TJ admissions office should have done their jobs and figured out a solution BEFORE sending out offers. Not after the sh!t is already out of the horse.

Claiming ignorance isn’t a good look for a TJ applicant. Really, you don’t have the critical thinking skills - or ethics - to answer appropriately?

It’s disingenuous to argue that you weren’t aware of the meaning.

https://www.fcps.edu/registration/thomas-jefferson-high-school-science-and-technology-admissions/tjhsst-freshman

A holistic review will be done of students whose applications demonstrate enhanced merit; 550 seats will then be offered to the highest-evaluated students. Students will be evaluated on their grade point average (GPA); a student portrait sheet where they will be asked to demonstrate Portrait of a Graduate attributes and 21st century skills; a problem-solving essay; and experience factors, including students who are economically disadvantaged, English language learners, or special education students.

Nothing here about pandemic lunches.

The whole idea of experience factors as a relevant factor in TJ admissions is preposterous BS perpetrated by a bunch of woke fraudsters in Gatehouse and on the School Board who would be in remedial classes if they ever had to return to school themselves. Every time you think they can’t do more to destroy TJ they come up with something new.

Geographic factors is something that still makes sense - if you still keep the test and the rest of the process as is. Allows you to pick top kids from different geographies while having a fair process. Everything else is such nonsense and hurts everyone. Hope people learn from this entire fiasco.

They've changed the experience factors for the next incoming class. I can't find the exact language but they've changed it again. I think they've kept the geographic factors - which are not perfect (fwiw the experiences in Texas and California have been both good and bad) but I think are overall a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This is honestly a win-win.

If you answered the question literally and said yes - FCPS is removing the ambiguity and asking you the question again in a clear unambiguous manner. If you qualify, you are good. If you don’t, you are at par with everyone else who does not qualify as it should be. You may still qualify without the points but if you don’t- you miss out on a fair criterion.

If you answered no and felt wronged that others misinterpreted or misrepresented then you should feel good. You are at par with those who erroneously or otherwise answered no. So all is good.

FCPS did not have to create this roundabout process but their incompetence is a story for another day

Agreed - this will get the process much closer to a fair result. I wouldn't go so far as calling it a win-win, though. Still a lot to be desired with the process as a whole. And lots of unnecessary heartbreak for kids who were not admitted at first but later will be or vice versa.

Probably a good life lesson in there.

Life lesson here is to slack and be poor so that the government can give you more freebies or in the least show that you are poor on paper.

Is that really what you took away from this?

There are some really sh1tty people out there.

Yep. I have absolutely no sympathy for people who lied. And that's exactly what it was. However point remains. Message being sent is to slack and fight to show you are poor. I have seen this movie before in other countries. Doesn't end well.

Which countries?

IYKYK. I don't want to give more fodder to the unthinking haters. All I can say that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

So no countries. Got it. You’re full of sh1t.

Typical baseless histrionics.

I lived it. you can think what you want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guarantee that there are parents of admitted students hiring lawyers to respond. FCPS caused this situation by not asking the question clearly for two years in a row despite many parents pointing out the issues.

If admitted parents band together, I don’t see how FCPS can fight them affectively. There are statements on the FCPS website, in email blasts and in news bulletins from school board members. Many of these contain the words “all students are eligible for free meals”.

The TJ admissions office should have done their jobs and figured out a solution BEFORE sending out offers. Not after the sh!t is already out of the horse.

Claiming ignorance isn’t a good look for a TJ applicant. Really, you don’t have the critical thinking skills - or ethics - to answer appropriately?

It’s disingenuous to argue that you weren’t aware of the meaning.

https://www.fcps.edu/registration/thomas-jefferson-high-school-science-and-technology-admissions/tjhsst-freshman

A holistic review will be done of students whose applications demonstrate enhanced merit; 550 seats will then be offered to the highest-evaluated students. Students will be evaluated on their grade point average (GPA); a student portrait sheet where they will be asked to demonstrate Portrait of a Graduate attributes and 21st century skills; a problem-solving essay; and experience factors, including students who are economically disadvantaged, English language learners, or special education students.

Nothing here about pandemic lunches.

The whole idea of experience factors as a relevant factor in TJ admissions is preposterous BS perpetrated by a bunch of woke fraudsters in Gatehouse and on the School Board who would be in remedial classes if they ever had to return to school themselves. Every time you think they can’t do more to destroy TJ they come up with something new.

Geographic factors is something that still makes sense - if you still keep the test and the rest of the process as is. Allows you to pick top kids from different geographies while having a fair process. Everything else is such nonsense and hurts everyone. Hope people learn from this entire fiasco.

They've changed the experience factors for the next incoming class. I can't find the exact language but they've changed it again. I think they've kept the geographic factors - which are not perfect (fwiw the experiences in Texas and California have been both good and bad) but I think are overall a good idea.

They need to keep the test though in addition to th geographic factors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guarantee that there are parents of admitted students hiring lawyers to respond. FCPS caused this situation by not asking the question clearly for two years in a row despite many parents pointing out the issues.

If admitted parents band together, I don’t see how FCPS can fight them affectively. There are statements on the FCPS website, in email blasts and in news bulletins from school board members. Many of these contain the words “all students are eligible for free meals”.

The TJ admissions office should have done their jobs and figured out a solution BEFORE sending out offers. Not after the sh!t is already out of the horse.

So you’re saying you are among those who misled TJ admissions?

It was a stroke of genius to include this question and filter out all the toxic liars and cheats. I'm so impressed by FCPS!

They seriously deserve a bonus. I wonder how many kids who otherwise would have contributed to a toxic atmosphere they'll catch. The real coup would be formally disclipining them in a way that stays on their high school transcripts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So now some admissions will be taken back. No one should’ve cheated but admissions should have verified first. Some kids are in for a lot of embarrassment. Not great for mental health.[/quote


Lying to improve your chances of getting into TJ is cheating. There are consequences when you behave unethically. These kids brought this upon themselves. I really don't care about their mental health, they clearly already have mental health issues if they're willing to lie to get into a school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guarantee that there are parents of admitted students hiring lawyers to respond. FCPS caused this situation by not asking the question clearly for two years in a row despite many parents pointing out the issues.

If admitted parents band together, I don’t see how FCPS can fight them affectively. There are statements on the FCPS website, in email blasts and in news bulletins from school board members. Many of these contain the words “all students are eligible for free meals”.

The TJ admissions office should have done their jobs and figured out a solution BEFORE sending out offers. Not after the sh!t is already out of the horse.

So you’re saying you are among those who misled TJ admissions?

It was a stroke of genius to include this question and filter out all the toxic liars and cheats. I'm so impressed by FCPS!

They seriously deserve a bonus. I wonder how many kids who otherwise would have contributed to a toxic atmosphere they'll catch. The real coup would be formally disclipining them in a way that stays on their high school transcripts

THIS!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guarantee that there are parents of admitted students hiring lawyers to respond. FCPS caused this situation by not asking the question clearly for two years in a row despite many parents pointing out the issues.

If admitted parents band together, I don’t see how FCPS can fight them affectively. There are statements on the FCPS website, in email blasts and in news bulletins from school board members. Many of these contain the words “all students are eligible for free meals”.

The TJ admissions office should have done their jobs and figured out a solution BEFORE sending out offers. Not after the sh!t is already out of the horse.

So you’re saying you are among those who misled TJ admissions?

It was a stroke of genius to include this question and filter out all the toxic liars and cheats. I'm so impressed by FCPS!

You turned what was an unintentional fiasco into a stroke of genius?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guarantee that there are parents of admitted students hiring lawyers to respond. FCPS caused this situation by not asking the question clearly for two years in a row despite many parents pointing out the issues.

If admitted parents band together, I don’t see how FCPS can fight them affectively. There are statements on the FCPS website, in email blasts and in news bulletins from school board members. Many of these contain the words “all students are eligible for free meals”.

The TJ admissions office should have done their jobs and figured out a solution BEFORE sending out offers. Not after the sh!t is already out of the horse.

So you’re saying you are among those who misled TJ admissions?

It was a stroke of genius to include this question and filter out all the toxic liars and cheats. I'm so impressed by FCPS!

You turned what was an unintentional fiasco into a stroke of genius?

Considering the type of kids that they'll catch, yes