Anyone know what is going on a Woodson?

[Anonymous]

I don't know that TJ, per se, is the reason "TJ kids" soak up the in state slots. These are very smart, very hard working, very motivated kids. Most of them do a lot in terms of extra classes during the summer and as an 8th period to accelerate. I have to think that the top 75% of TJ kids would move to a base school, and end up in the top 10% of their class with a very, very heavy work load, and soak up the in state slots from the base HSs. These are largely kids who are going to get into UVA/WM/VT Engineering from any school in FCPS.

Also, if you think the environment in some HSs is a pressure cooker now, wait until you get the kids who often take summer school chemistry to skip straight to AP Chemistry, self study to test ahead and skip courses in math, and take an extra academic class each year. That puts more pressure on the other kids to similarly up their game. I don't thing getting rid of TJ would have the effect of lowering the pressure in base HSs. I think it would ramp it up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know that TJ, per se, is the reason "TJ kids" soak up the in state slots. These are very smart, very hard working, very motivated kids. Most of them do a lot in terms of extra classes during the summer and as an 8th period to accelerate. I have to think that the top 75% of TJ kids would move to a base school, and end up in the top 10% of their class with a very, very heavy work load, and soak up the in state slots from the base HSs. These are largely kids who are going to get into UVA/WM/VT Engineering from any school in FCPS.

Also, if you think the environment in some HSs is a pressure cooker now, wait until you get the kids who often take summer school chemistry to skip straight to AP Chemistry, self study to test ahead and skip courses in math, and take an extra academic class each year. That puts more pressure on the other kids to similarly up their game. I don't thing getting rid of TJ would have the effect of lowering the pressure in base HSs. I think it would ramp it up.

+1 I agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I think TJ is a part of the problem because it soaks up most of the NoVA slots for in state colleges,

No it doesn't. UVa at least, has numerical goals for individual high schools. This was discussed at length with an admissions counselor on College Confidential some years back. They will not take above a certain number of TJ grads, no matter how many are qualified.

[Anonymous]

The atmosphere in FCPS HS is hardly pleasant at any of the schools. The happiest kids seem to try for the State schools and try to ignore the pressure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I think TJ is a part of the problem because it soaks up most of the NoVA slots for in state colleges,

No it doesn't. UVa at least, has numerical goals for individual high schools. This was discussed at length with an admissions counselor on College Confidential some years back. They will not take above a certain number of TJ grads, no matter how many are qualified.

224 kids got admitted to UVA from TJ in 2016. Maybe UVA decided not to take more than that, but given the goal to take students from all over the state, that absolutely affects the number of students UVA will take from other NoVA schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:What are the theories on why there are more suicides there? Has there been any change?

So odd how this is ignored. Can't just keep calling the stress card without specifics, or this will continue in FCPS.

The stress is likely to do with the number of AP classes and extracurricular activities needed to get into even run of the mill colleges. There is nothing FCPS can do about that. If they limit the number of APs students can take, the same people saying something needs to be done would be complaining and moving their kids to a "better" school district. Privates can not offer APs or limit them, but given the parents in this area, FCPS would basically tank the property tax base, and see tremendous flight from the schools if it ever had the courage to limit APs. It also doesn't help that a big chunk of the NoVA slots for UVA goes to TJ kids because that school encourages uber competitiveness, so to stack up at another school against those kids is difficult. The AAP/TJ train has set FCPS on a path it can't get off of without huge backlash from both an economic and a school ranking perspective.

None of those issues are unique to Woodson. These may be your issues but they are not Woodson's issues.

Ok, Woodson is immune from these issues. Keep telling yourself that.

What is the suicide history at TJ?

The student's friends have said school pressure played a part in his suicide, but keep deflecting.

In smaller schools with clear goals and more individual attention, there is a lot of teacher and student support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I think TJ is a part of the problem because it soaks up most of the NoVA slots for in state colleges,

No it doesn't. UVa at least, has numerical goals for individual high schools. This was discussed at length with an admissions counselor on College Confidential some years back. They will not take above a certain number of TJ grads, no matter how many are qualified.

224 kids got admitted to UVA from TJ in 2016. Maybe UVA decided not to take more than that, but given the goal to take students from all over the state, that absolutely affects the number of students UVA will take from other NoVA schools.

But why does that really matter? If TJ didn't exist, the number of NoVa spots would likely stay the same but with more per base high school. The would-be TJ students would take those spots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good luck with the plan that privates are less stressful. Absolutely not our experience. If anything, privates are worse.

https://www.washingtonian.com/2011/10/09/snowplow-parents-and-the-pressure-at-top-private-schools/

+1000
I've never understood parents who actually believe there is less stress at a $40,000 private, where parents are absolutely paying for a guarantee that their kids will go to a top college. Far more pressure than even a high-demographic public.

We paid for well-rounded, and with no hooks, my kid did not benefit re:college entry. College admissions is corrupt

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The atmosphere in FCPS HS is hardly pleasant at any of the schools. The happiest kids seem to try for the State schools and try to ignore the pressure.

UVA is part of the problem, not part of the solution.

[Anonymous]

2 issues: the big picture/and how the family can deal
Argue all you want about space at Va colleges, that's not changing.
If you don't like your kid's Va college choices, send them out-of-state - that puts the pressure on you financially
but takes the much of the pressure off your kids.

[Anonymous]

There was a message on Facebook and email from FCPS about mental health awareness for May. The message encouraged students to talk to a school counselor or psychologist. I would really encourage FCPS to change this language, because school counselors are not always effective. I'm sure there are wonderful stories of counselors helping kids but I have not heard a single one. Kids need to go to multiple outlets with their issues. Our experience with a school counselor was that I had a 20 minute long conversation with her and she said she'd meet with my child right away- 4 months went by and my child was desperate and lost trust in the school entirely. Do not entrust your child's well being to school staff. There are parents who are putting pressure on kids, but kids need to talk to their parents, friends, other trusted adults in addition to or even instead of school staff.

If school counselors had the slightest clue how to deal with bullying, they would do it. I don't question intent, they have good hearts. They do not have any solutions. They do not use any disciplinary actions against bullies. They gave me suggestions to deal with bullying like my kid was 4 years old. Schools cannot handle bullying of any variety. Our only choice was to leave for private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There was a message on Facebook and email from FCPS about mental health awareness for May. The message encouraged students to talk to a school counselor or psychologist. I would really encourage FCPS to change this language, because school counselors are not always effective. I'm sure there are wonderful stories of counselors helping kids but I have not heard a single one. Kids need to go to multiple outlets with their issues. Our experience with a school counselor was that I had a 20 minute long conversation with her and she said she'd meet with my child right away- 4 months went by and my child was desperate and lost trust in the school entirely. Do not entrust your child's well being to school staff. There are parents who are putting pressure on kids, but kids need to talk to their parents, friends, other trusted adults in addition to or even instead of school staff.

If school counselors had the slightest clue how to deal with bullying, they would do it. I don't question intent, they have good hearts. They do not have any solutions. They do not use any disciplinary actions against bullies. They gave me suggestions to deal with bullying like my kid was 4 years old. Schools cannot handle bullying of any variety. Our only choice was to leave for private.

I second this.
My dd's counselor doesn't even know the graduation requirements. I definitely wouldn't trust him with her mental health

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was a message on Facebook and email from FCPS about mental health awareness for May. The message encouraged students to talk to a school counselor or psychologist. I would really encourage FCPS to change this language, because school counselors are not always effective. I'm sure there are wonderful stories of counselors helping kids but I have not heard a single one. Kids need to go to multiple outlets with their issues. Our experience with a school counselor was that I had a 20 minute long conversation with her and she said she'd meet with my child right away- 4 months went by and my child was desperate and lost trust in the school entirely. Do not entrust your child's well being to school staff. There are parents who are putting pressure on kids, but kids need to talk to their parents, friends, other trusted adults in addition to or even instead of school staff.

If school counselors had the slightest clue how to deal with bullying, they would do it. I don't question intent, they have good hearts. They do not have any solutions. They do not use any disciplinary actions against bullies. They gave me suggestions to deal with bullying like my kid was 4 years old. Schools cannot handle bullying of any variety. Our only choice was to leave for private.

I second this.
My dd's counselor doesn't even know the graduation requirements. I definitely wouldn't trust him with her mental health

This. DC's counselor is a nice person but completely over his head. If you think your child needs help, take him/her to an outside professional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The atmosphere in FCPS HS is hardly pleasant at any of the schools. The happiest kids seem to try for the State schools and try to ignore the pressure.

UVA is part of the problem, not part of the solution.

Here are other state schools besides UVA. FFS - this is the problem right here. God forbid you have a kid go to VCU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:2 issues: the big picture/and how the family can deal
Argue all you want about space at Va colleges, that's not changing.
If you don't like your kid's Va college choices, send them out-of-state - that puts the pressure on you financially
but takes the much of the pressure off your kids.

Yes. We pay 60k at Emory, only to have them announce that illegals now get a free ride.