Yes, it is a small pool. As much as people on this specific forum think the bar to apply is low, it is actually relatively high. 1) Students have to have completed Algebra 1 H by the end of 8th grade. Based on SOL scores, there were 8,315 students in 8th grade who took the Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra II. 2) Students have to take Honors or AAP Math and Science 3) Students have to take Honors or AAP Social studies or English 4) Students have to have a 3.5 GPA There were 4,587 students in Math 8 in FCPS. None of those kids can apply. I have no clue how to look up average GPAs in MS but I would guess that the average GPA is under 3.5. And then kids have to want to leave their friends and potentially communte 30-60 minutes in order to attend school. That is going to decrease the number of kids who are interested. |
You're forgetting about the top 1.5% allocations for LCPS, PWCS, and APS. LCPS usually sends around 100 kids to TJ. APS sends around 20. I'm not sure about PWCS, but their participation increased a lot with the new admissions system. |
Some stats for the folks interested
Class of 2027: 550 out of 2,548 applications (21.5% acceptance) Source: https://www.fcps.edu/node/47920 Class of 2026: 550 out of 2,544 applications (21.6% acceptance) Source: https://www.fcps.edu/news/thomas-jefferson-high-school-continues-increase-access-all |
In both years, the applications were well below the peak years ago, when there were roughly 3200 applicants. |
But other kids did get in. And if everyone was farms..... |
Young Scholars have an exception. |
Really???? That is a very bad idea. If a kid can’t even do honors at their base school they are not going to be able to swim at TJ. |