Comparing TJ to Academies of Loudoun

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJ is obviously better. How is this even a question?

It is not obvious to me. Please explain.
My child is debating where to go if selected.

Honestly, you are not going to find a more intense academic environment in northern Virginia.
They will learn how to be good students the same way baby birds learn to fly. Survival instinct.
This is where your kid can learn to fly or get crushed on the rocks below.
TJ used to have a selection process that minimized the carcasses on the rocky shores below but now...

You know your kid. If they can handle it, TJ is probably a good experience for them over the long run. If they can't it can be depressing.

Also consider the commute. Most kids sleep or study during the commute.

It would be helpful if parents with children at both AOL and TJ could give some perspective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The very bottom kids at TJ are NOT as prepared for college as top kids at base school. These very bottom kids sit in lowest math and science classes and still struggling, masking their struggles year after year because they have no option to drop, wasting their time and accumulating years of not really progressing because they are in over their heads. It is sad, really.

Hot take.

You know that every school has a bottom 50%, right? And that the bottom 50% of TJ kids are still very smart and likely outpacing the bottom 50% at their base schools. Those kids have had to grind and maybe instead of seeing that as "sad," we see it as an opportunity to learn grit and resilience. I also disagree that they aren't ready for college--there is zero grade inflation at TJ and these kids have to work hard. They won't get into T20/Ivys (unless hooked) but my guess is most will be fine long-term.

Also, they can drop or be removed. The new principal sent a slew of sophomores back to base school at the end of last year bc they didn't pass Algebra 2.

Nope. 1) The bottom 20% are not learning grit and resilience. Which each year, they are falling behind more and more. By the time they are seniors, they are 2-3 years behind the level where they could /should have been. By that time, it is almost impossible for these kids to progress in class without a lot of extra support. And that kind of support is non-existent. If they had it, they would not end up in position they are in. 2) There are a lot, and I mean, a lot of kids with Ds and C-s in math and science on TJ, barely passing and moving in. Once again, by the time they get to college they are actually far behind their friends from base school - they used to be at about the same level in 8th grade but they fell behind while struggling this much at TJ.

You're just completely wrong on every level. And items presented without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.

DP

There were at least 50 kids from the class of 2025 going to places like NOVA, Radford, & Marymount. This didn't used to be the case.

So much for TJ prestige.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The very bottom kids at TJ are NOT as prepared for college as top kids at base school. These very bottom kids sit in lowest math and science classes and still struggling, masking their struggles year after year because they have no option to drop, wasting their time and accumulating years of not really progressing because they are in over their heads. It is sad, really.

Hot take.

You know that every school has a bottom 50%, right? And that the bottom 50% of TJ kids are still very smart and likely outpacing the bottom 50% at their base schools. Those kids have had to grind and maybe instead of seeing that as "sad," we see it as an opportunity to learn grit and resilience. I also disagree that they aren't ready for college--there is zero grade inflation at TJ and these kids have to work hard. They won't get into T20/Ivys (unless hooked) but my guess is most will be fine long-term.

Also, they can drop or be removed. The new principal sent a slew of sophomores back to base school at the end of last year bc they didn't pass Algebra 2.

Nope. 1) The bottom 20% are not learning grit and resilience. Which each year, they are falling behind more and more. By the time they are seniors, they are 2-3 years behind the level where they could /should have been. By that time, it is almost impossible for these kids to progress in class without a lot of extra support. And that kind of support is non-existent. If they had it, they would not end up in position they are in. 2) There are a lot, and I mean, a lot of kids with Ds and C-s in math and science on TJ, barely passing and moving in. Once again, by the time they get to college they are actually far behind their friends from base school - they used to be at about the same level in 8th grade but they fell behind while struggling this much at TJ.

You're just completely wrong on every level. And items presented without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.

DP

There were at least 50 kids from the class of 2025 going to places like NOVA, Radford, & Marymount. This didn't used to be the case.

So much for TJ prestige.

If you're going for the prestige, you are doing it wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The very bottom kids at TJ are NOT as prepared for college as top kids at base school. These very bottom kids sit in lowest math and science classes and still struggling, masking their struggles year after year because they have no option to drop, wasting their time and accumulating years of not really progressing because they are in over their heads. It is sad, really.

Hot take.

You know that every school has a bottom 50%, right? And that the bottom 50% of TJ kids are still very smart and likely outpacing the bottom 50% at their base schools. Those kids have had to grind and maybe instead of seeing that as "sad," we see it as an opportunity to learn grit and resilience. I also disagree that they aren't ready for college--there is zero grade inflation at TJ and these kids have to work hard. They won't get into T20/Ivys (unless hooked) but my guess is most will be fine long-term.

Also, they can drop or be removed. The new principal sent a slew of sophomores back to base school at the end of last year bc they didn't pass Algebra 2.

Nope. 1) The bottom 20% are not learning grit and resilience. Which each year, they are falling behind more and more. By the time they are seniors, they are 2-3 years behind the level where they could /should have been. By that time, it is almost impossible for these kids to progress in class without a lot of extra support. And that kind of support is non-existent. If they had it, they would not end up in position they are in. 2) There are a lot, and I mean, a lot of kids with Ds and C-s in math and science on TJ, barely passing and moving in. Once again, by the time they get to college they are actually far behind their friends from base school - they used to be at about the same level in 8th grade but they fell behind while struggling this much at TJ.

You're just completely wrong on every level. And items presented without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.

DP

There were at least 50 kids from the class of 2025 going to places like NOVA, Radford, & Marymount. This didn't used to be the case.

So much for TJ prestige.

If you're going for the prestige, you are doing it wrong.

I was referring to the fact that in the past, going to TJ actually meant something. Now you have to also wonder how that person did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The very bottom kids at TJ are NOT as prepared for college as top kids at base school. These very bottom kids sit in lowest math and science classes and still struggling, masking their struggles year after year because they have no option to drop, wasting their time and accumulating years of not really progressing because they are in over their heads. It is sad, really.

Hot take.

You know that every school has a bottom 50%, right? And that the bottom 50% of TJ kids are still very smart and likely outpacing the bottom 50% at their base schools. Those kids have had to grind and maybe instead of seeing that as "sad," we see it as an opportunity to learn grit and resilience. I also disagree that they aren't ready for college--there is zero grade inflation at TJ and these kids have to work hard. They won't get into T20/Ivys (unless hooked) but my guess is most will be fine long-term.

Also, they can drop or be removed. The new principal sent a slew of sophomores back to base school at the end of last year bc they didn't pass Algebra 2.

Nope. 1) The bottom 20% are not learning grit and resilience. Which each year, they are falling behind more and more. By the time they are seniors, they are 2-3 years behind the level where they could /should have been. By that time, it is almost impossible for these kids to progress in class without a lot of extra support. And that kind of support is non-existent. If they had it, they would not end up in position they are in. 2) There are a lot, and I mean, a lot of kids with Ds and C-s in math and science on TJ, barely passing and moving in. Once again, by the time they get to college they are actually far behind their friends from base school - they used to be at about the same level in 8th grade but they fell behind while struggling this much at TJ.

You're just completely wrong on every level. And items presented without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.

DP

There were at least 50 kids from the class of 2025 going to places like NOVA, Radford, & Marymount. This didn't used to be the case.

So much for TJ prestige.

If you're going for the prestige, you are doing it wrong.

I was referring to the fact that in the past, going to TJ actually meant something. Now you have to also wonder how that person did.

Yep. Graduating from a place like TJ used to have significant signalling vallue. Now you need to see the transcript.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The very bottom kids at TJ are NOT as prepared for college as top kids at base school. These very bottom kids sit in lowest math and science classes and still struggling, masking their struggles year after year because they have no option to drop, wasting their time and accumulating years of not really progressing because they are in over their heads. It is sad, really.

Hot take.

You know that every school has a bottom 50%, right? And that the bottom 50% of TJ kids are still very smart and likely outpacing the bottom 50% at their base schools. Those kids have had to grind and maybe instead of seeing that as "sad," we see it as an opportunity to learn grit and resilience. I also disagree that they aren't ready for college--there is zero grade inflation at TJ and these kids have to work hard. They won't get into T20/Ivys (unless hooked) but my guess is most will be fine long-term.

Also, they can drop or be removed. The new principal sent a slew of sophomores back to base school at the end of last year bc they didn't pass Algebra 2.

Nope. 1) The bottom 20% are not learning grit and resilience. Which each year, they are falling behind more and more. By the time they are seniors, they are 2-3 years behind the level where they could /should have been. By that time, it is almost impossible for these kids to progress in class without a lot of extra support. And that kind of support is non-existent. If they had it, they would not end up in position they are in. 2) There are a lot, and I mean, a lot of kids with Ds and C-s in math and science on TJ, barely passing and moving in. Once again, by the time they get to college they are actually far behind their friends from base school - they used to be at about the same level in 8th grade but they fell behind while struggling this much at TJ.

You're just completely wrong on every level. And items presented without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.

DP

There were at least 50 kids from the class of 2025 going to places like NOVA, Radford, & Marymount. This didn't used to be the case.

So much for TJ prestige.

If you're going for the prestige, you are doing it wrong.

I was referring to the fact that in the past, going to TJ actually meant something. Now you have to also wonder how that person did.

Yep. Graduating from a place like TJ used to have significant signalling vallue. Now you need to see the transcript.

Meh. I do not think this is the prevailing view. I think it is the view of a bubble of people still super mad that TJ access was broadened vs almost all the kids coming from a handful of schools.

DD is a senior there. Anytime I say where people go like “oh wow”. Not a comment made when I mention our solid base school (where my other kid goes).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The very bottom kids at TJ are NOT as prepared for college as top kids at base school. These very bottom kids sit in lowest math and science classes and still struggling, masking their struggles year after year because they have no option to drop, wasting their time and accumulating years of not really progressing because they are in over their heads. It is sad, really.

Hot take.

You know that every school has a bottom 50%, right? And that the bottom 50% of TJ kids are still very smart and likely outpacing the bottom 50% at their base schools. Those kids have had to grind and maybe instead of seeing that as "sad," we see it as an opportunity to learn grit and resilience. I also disagree that they aren't ready for college--there is zero grade inflation at TJ and these kids have to work hard. They won't get into T20/Ivys (unless hooked) but my guess is most will be fine long-term.

Also, they can drop or be removed. The new principal sent a slew of sophomores back to base school at the end of last year bc they didn't pass Algebra 2.

Nope. 1) The bottom 20% are not learning grit and resilience. Which each year, they are falling behind more and more. By the time they are seniors, they are 2-3 years behind the level where they could /should have been. By that time, it is almost impossible for these kids to progress in class without a lot of extra support. And that kind of support is non-existent. If they had it, they would not end up in position they are in. 2) There are a lot, and I mean, a lot of kids with Ds and C-s in math and science on TJ, barely passing and moving in. Once again, by the time they get to college they are actually far behind their friends from base school - they used to be at about the same level in 8th grade but they fell behind while struggling this much at TJ.

You're just completely wrong on every level. And items presented without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.

DP

There were at least 50 kids from the class of 2025 going to places like NOVA, Radford, & Marymount. This didn't used to be the case.

So much for TJ prestige.

If you're going for the prestige, you are doing it wrong.

I was referring to the fact that in the past, going to TJ actually meant something. Now you have to also wonder how that person did.

Yep. Graduating from a place like TJ used to have significant signalling vallue. Now you need to see the transcript.

Meh. I do not think this is the prevailing view. I think it is the view of a bubble of people still super mad that TJ access was broadened vs almost all the kids coming from a handful of schools.

DD is a senior there. Anytime I say where people go like “oh wow”. Not a comment made when I mention our solid base school (where my other kid goes).

I don't think people care about the signalling value to your fellow soccer moms. I mean the signalling value it has to people that will be hiring TJ grads in a few years.

This is not about perception. The reputation isn't based on the institution of TJ, it is based on who they produce. And that largely depends on who they admit.

The fact of the matter is that about a third of the kids at TJ right now are not really prepared to be there.

The current process dilutes the academic talent at TJ and we know this because of GPAs, college results and standardized test scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The very bottom kids at TJ are NOT as prepared for college as top kids at base school. These very bottom kids sit in lowest math and science classes and still struggling, masking their struggles year after year because they have no option to drop, wasting their time and accumulating years of not really progressing because they are in over their heads. It is sad, really.

Hot take.

You know that every school has a bottom 50%, right? And that the bottom 50% of TJ kids are still very smart and likely outpacing the bottom 50% at their base schools. Those kids have had to grind and maybe instead of seeing that as "sad," we see it as an opportunity to learn grit and resilience. I also disagree that they aren't ready for college--there is zero grade inflation at TJ and these kids have to work hard. They won't get into T20/Ivys (unless hooked) but my guess is most will be fine long-term.

Also, they can drop or be removed. The new principal sent a slew of sophomores back to base school at the end of last year bc they didn't pass Algebra 2.

Nope. 1) The bottom 20% are not learning grit and resilience. Which each year, they are falling behind more and more. By the time they are seniors, they are 2-3 years behind the level where they could /should have been. By that time, it is almost impossible for these kids to progress in class without a lot of extra support. And that kind of support is non-existent. If they had it, they would not end up in position they are in. 2) There are a lot, and I mean, a lot of kids with Ds and C-s in math and science on TJ, barely passing and moving in. Once again, by the time they get to college they are actually far behind their friends from base school - they used to be at about the same level in 8th grade but they fell behind while struggling this much at TJ.

You're just completely wrong on every level. And items presented without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.

DP

There were at least 50 kids from the class of 2025 going to places like NOVA, Radford, & Marymount. This didn't used to be the case.

So much for TJ prestige.

If you're going for the prestige, you are doing it wrong.

I was referring to the fact that in the past, going to TJ actually meant something. Now you have to also wonder how that person did.

Yep. Graduating from a place like TJ used to have significant signalling vallue. Now you need to see the transcript.

Meh. I do not think this is the prevailing view. I think it is the view of a bubble of people still super mad that TJ access was broadened vs almost all the kids coming from a handful of schools.

DD is a senior there. Anytime I say where people go like “oh wow”. Not a comment made when I mention our solid base school (where my other kid goes).

So your DD is there for the "oh wow".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The very bottom kids at TJ are NOT as prepared for college as top kids at base school. These very bottom kids sit in lowest math and science classes and still struggling, masking their struggles year after year because they have no option to drop, wasting their time and accumulating years of not really progressing because they are in over their heads. It is sad, really.

Hot take.

You know that every school has a bottom 50%, right? And that the bottom 50% of TJ kids are still very smart and likely outpacing the bottom 50% at their base schools. Those kids have had to grind and maybe instead of seeing that as "sad," we see it as an opportunity to learn grit and resilience. I also disagree that they aren't ready for college--there is zero grade inflation at TJ and these kids have to work hard. They won't get into T20/Ivys (unless hooked) but my guess is most will be fine long-term.

Also, they can drop or be removed. The new principal sent a slew of sophomores back to base school at the end of last year bc they didn't pass Algebra 2.

Nope. 1) The bottom 20% are not learning grit and resilience. Which each year, they are falling behind more and more. By the time they are seniors, they are 2-3 years behind the level where they could /should have been. By that time, it is almost impossible for these kids to progress in class without a lot of extra support. And that kind of support is non-existent. If they had it, they would not end up in position they are in. 2) There are a lot, and I mean, a lot of kids with Ds and C-s in math and science on TJ, barely passing and moving in. Once again, by the time they get to college they are actually far behind their friends from base school - they used to be at about the same level in 8th grade but they fell behind while struggling this much at TJ.

You're just completely wrong on every level. And items presented without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.

DP

There were at least 50 kids from the class of 2025 going to places like NOVA, Radford, & Marymount. This didn't used to be the case.

Shocking