WL IB or TJ or Private

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think first you rule out TJ if he's not interested in STEM, then your decision is between W-L and private. I can give you the W-L side of the debate.

Firstly, if your kids are in the top 50% of students, they will have access to impressive IB, AP and DE classes and mostly impressive teachers. The general education classes are sometimes remedial, which was a surprise. Both my kids have made connections with many of their teachers and have a number to choose from when requesting college letters of recommendation or recommendations for summer jobs. They have participated in the music and athletic programs and made lots of friends.

There is a group of kids who are troublemakers, but they tend not to lash out at kids outside their groups. The administrators are enforcing rules more this year and handing out suspensions and detentions. My kids say they are able to work around these groups with little effort.

In terms of college counseling, WL will keep your kid on track with deadlines and give them access to almost daily visits by college reps. They tend to give more assistance to the kids without means to get their applications done, not one on one counseling. So if you need that, hire someone. We haven't needed it.

My kids tell me regularly how lucky they feel to go to W-L, and I'm sure not everyone has the same positive experience but thought I'd share.

XL WL best days are behind it. They are adding another 400 students to the school over the next 3 years. Maybe IB will be insulated from the expanse, but it will just be too big to manage properly.

2020 WL Enrollment 2100
2024 WL Enrollment 2500

So will it stop at 2700 or 2900?

TJ is 1900 students

TJ will be 2200 students next year. TJ is amazing. But I doubt your kid can count on getting in. There just aren’t that many spots.

Op was offered a spot at TJ

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think first you rule out TJ if he's not interested in STEM, then your decision is between W-L and private. I can give you the W-L side of the debate.

Firstly, if your kids are in the top 50% of students, they will have access to impressive IB, AP and DE classes and mostly impressive teachers. The general education classes are sometimes remedial, which was a surprise. Both my kids have made connections with many of their teachers and have a number to choose from when requesting college letters of recommendation or recommendations for summer jobs. They have participated in the music and athletic programs and made lots of friends.

There is a group of kids who are troublemakers, but they tend not to lash out at kids outside their groups. The administrators are enforcing rules more this year and handing out suspensions and detentions. My kids say they are able to work around these groups with little effort.

In terms of college counseling, WL will keep your kid on track with deadlines and give them access to almost daily visits by college reps. They tend to give more assistance to the kids without means to get their applications done, not one on one counseling. So if you need that, hire someone. We haven't needed it.

My kids tell me regularly how lucky they feel to go to W-L, and I'm sure not everyone has the same positive experience but thought I'd share.

XL WL best days are behind it. They are adding another 400 students to the school over the next 3 years. Maybe IB will be insulated from the expanse, but it will just be too big to manage properly.

2020 WL Enrollment 2100
2024 WL Enrollment 2500

So will it stop at 2700 or 2900?

TJ is 1900 students

TJ will be 2200 students next year. TJ is amazing. But I doubt your kid can count on getting in. There just aren’t that many spots.

FWIW, I don’t think there’s a ton of overlap between families considering most rigorous local privates and TJ. We are at Big3 and would not have sent child to TJ for the same reasons we elected not to send child to W&L IB. And of course you sort of have to make up your mind on that front beforehand.

For my family, we see little not value in TJ and did not apply. Size, distance, kind of kid, etc meant not a good fit. I don’t believe in a kid knowing they are Stem or not at 15. My kid is just really really smart and I wanted them to learn to think critically and write in addition to some basic math/science. If they want to go deep into a subject that is the purpose of college/grad school. Furthermore, I think TJ draws a particular type of kid and parent, lots of these folks at local academic competitions drilling their kid on math facts.

Exactly they should be spending weekends with the country club working on their backhand.

It’s not line private schools don’t have a type.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think first you rule out TJ if he's not interested in STEM, then your decision is between W-L and private. I can give you the W-L side of the debate.

Firstly, if your kids are in the top 50% of students, they will have access to impressive IB, AP and DE classes and mostly impressive teachers. The general education classes are sometimes remedial, which was a surprise. Both my kids have made connections with many of their teachers and have a number to choose from when requesting college letters of recommendation or recommendations for summer jobs. They have participated in the music and athletic programs and made lots of friends.

There is a group of kids who are troublemakers, but they tend not to lash out at kids outside their groups. The administrators are enforcing rules more this year and handing out suspensions and detentions. My kids say they are able to work around these groups with little effort.

In terms of college counseling, WL will keep your kid on track with deadlines and give them access to almost daily visits by college reps. They tend to give more assistance to the kids without means to get their applications done, not one on one counseling. So if you need that, hire someone. We haven't needed it.

My kids tell me regularly how lucky they feel to go to W-L, and I'm sure not everyone has the same positive experience but thought I'd share.

XL WL best days are behind it. They are adding another 400 students to the school over the next 3 years. Maybe IB will be insulated from the expanse, but it will just be too big to manage properly.

2020 WL Enrollment 2100
2024 WL Enrollment 2500

So will it stop at 2700 or 2900?

TJ is 1900 students

TJ will be 2200 students next year. TJ is amazing. But I doubt your kid can count on getting in. There just aren’t that many spots.

FWIW, I don’t think there’s a ton of overlap between families considering most rigorous local privates and TJ. We are at Big3 and would not have sent child to TJ for the same reasons we elected not to send child to W&L IB. And of course you sort of have to make up your mind on that front beforehand.

For my family, we see little not value in TJ and did not apply. Size, distance, kind of kid, etc meant not a good fit. I don’t believe in a kid knowing they are Stem or not at 15. My kid is just really really smart and I wanted them to learn to think critically and write in addition to some basic math/science. If they want to go deep into a subject that is the purpose of college/grad school. Furthermore, I think TJ draws a particular type of kid and parent, lots of these folks at local academic competitions drilling their kid on math facts.

Exactly they should be spending weekends with the country club working on their backhand.

It’s not line private schools don’t have a type.

No, they don't. If you knew anyone who attended or sent their kids to independent schools, you'd know this is just wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think first you rule out TJ if he's not interested in STEM, then your decision is between W-L and private. I can give you the W-L side of the debate.

Firstly, if your kids are in the top 50% of students, they will have access to impressive IB, AP and DE classes and mostly impressive teachers. The general education classes are sometimes remedial, which was a surprise. Both my kids have made connections with many of their teachers and have a number to choose from when requesting college letters of recommendation or recommendations for summer jobs. They have participated in the music and athletic programs and made lots of friends.

There is a group of kids who are troublemakers, but they tend not to lash out at kids outside their groups. The administrators are enforcing rules more this year and handing out suspensions and detentions. My kids say they are able to work around these groups with little effort.

In terms of college counseling, WL will keep your kid on track with deadlines and give them access to almost daily visits by college reps. They tend to give more assistance to the kids without means to get their applications done, not one on one counseling. So if you need that, hire someone. We haven't needed it.

My kids tell me regularly how lucky they feel to go to W-L, and I'm sure not everyone has the same positive experience but thought I'd share.

XL WL best days are behind it. They are adding another 400 students to the school over the next 3 years. Maybe IB will be insulated from the expanse, but it will just be too big to manage properly.

2020 WL Enrollment 2100
2024 WL Enrollment 2500

So will it stop at 2700 or 2900?

TJ is 1900 students

TJ will be 2200 students next year. TJ is amazing. But I doubt your kid can count on getting in. There just aren’t that many spots.

Op was offered a spot at TJ

i
Pretty sure TJ offers are not out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think first you rule out TJ if he's not interested in STEM, then your decision is between W-L and private. I can give you the W-L side of the debate.

Firstly, if your kids are in the top 50% of students, they will have access to impressive IB, AP and DE classes and mostly impressive teachers. The general education classes are sometimes remedial, which was a surprise. Both my kids have made connections with many of their teachers and have a number to choose from when requesting college letters of recommendation or recommendations for summer jobs. They have participated in the music and athletic programs and made lots of friends.

There is a group of kids who are troublemakers, but they tend not to lash out at kids outside their groups. The administrators are enforcing rules more this year and handing out suspensions and detentions. My kids say they are able to work around these groups with little effort.

In terms of college counseling, WL will keep your kid on track with deadlines and give them access to almost daily visits by college reps. They tend to give more assistance to the kids without means to get their applications done, not one on one counseling. So if you need that, hire someone. We haven't needed it.

My kids tell me regularly how lucky they feel to go to W-L, and I'm sure not everyone has the same positive experience but thought I'd share.

XL WL best days are behind it. They are adding another 400 students to the school over the next 3 years. Maybe IB will be insulated from the expanse, but it will just be too big to manage properly.

2020 WL Enrollment 2100
2024 WL Enrollment 2500

So will it stop at 2700 or 2900?

TJ is 1900 students

TJ will be 2200 students next year. TJ is amazing. But I doubt your kid can count on getting in. There just aren’t that many spots.

FWIW, I don’t think there’s a ton of overlap between families considering most rigorous local privates and TJ. We are at Big3 and would not have sent child to TJ for the same reasons we elected not to send child to W&L IB. And of course you sort of have to make up your mind on that front beforehand.

For my family, we see little not value in TJ and did not apply. Size, distance, kind of kid, etc meant not a good fit. I don’t believe in a kid knowing they are Stem or not at 15. My kid is just really really smart and I wanted them to learn to think critically and write in addition to some basic math/science. If they want to go deep into a subject that is the purpose of college/grad school. Furthermore, I think TJ draws a particular type of kid and parent, lots of these folks at local academic competitions drilling their kid on math facts.

Exactly they should be spending weekends with the country club working on their backhand.

It’s not line private schools don’t have a type.

No, they don't. If you knew anyone who attended or sent their kids to independent schools, you'd know this is just wrong.

But the stereotypes you are promoting about TJ are perfectly fine??!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think first you rule out TJ if he's not interested in STEM, then your decision is between W-L and private. I can give you the W-L side of the debate.

Firstly, if your kids are in the top 50% of students, they will have access to impressive IB, AP and DE classes and mostly impressive teachers. The general education classes are sometimes remedial, which was a surprise. Both my kids have made connections with many of their teachers and have a number to choose from when requesting college letters of recommendation or recommendations for summer jobs. They have participated in the music and athletic programs and made lots of friends.

There is a group of kids who are troublemakers, but they tend not to lash out at kids outside their groups. The administrators are enforcing rules more this year and handing out suspensions and detentions. My kids say they are able to work around these groups with little effort.

In terms of college counseling, WL will keep your kid on track with deadlines and give them access to almost daily visits by college reps. They tend to give more assistance to the kids without means to get their applications done, not one on one counseling. So if you need that, hire someone. We haven't needed it.

My kids tell me regularly how lucky they feel to go to W-L, and I'm sure not everyone has the same positive experience but thought I'd share.

XL WL best days are behind it. They are adding another 400 students to the school over the next 3 years. Maybe IB will be insulated from the expanse, but it will just be too big to manage properly.

2020 WL Enrollment 2100
2024 WL Enrollment 2500

So will it stop at 2700 or 2900?

TJ is 1900 students

TJ will be 2200 students next year. TJ is amazing. But I doubt your kid can count on getting in. There just aren’t that many spots.

FWIW, I don’t think there’s a ton of overlap between families considering most rigorous local privates and TJ. We are at Big3 and would not have sent child to TJ for the same reasons we elected not to send child to W&L IB. And of course you sort of have to make up your mind on that front beforehand.

For my family, we see little not value in TJ and did not apply. Size, distance, kind of kid, etc meant not a good fit. I don’t believe in a kid knowing they are Stem or not at 15. My kid is just really really smart and I wanted them to learn to think critically and write in addition to some basic math/science. If they want to go deep into a subject that is the purpose of college/grad school. Furthermore, I think TJ draws a particular type of kid and parent, lots of these folks at local academic competitions drilling their kid on math facts.

Exactly they should be spending weekends with the country club working on their backhand.

It’s not line private schools don’t have a type.

No, they don't. If you knew anyone who attended or sent their kids to independent schools, you'd know this is just wrong.

But the stereotypes you are promoting about TJ are perfectly fine??!!

IKR!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think first you rule out TJ if he's not interested in STEM, then your decision is between W-L and private. I can give you the W-L side of the debate.

Firstly, if your kids are in the top 50% of students, they will have access to impressive IB, AP and DE classes and mostly impressive teachers. The general education classes are sometimes remedial, which was a surprise. Both my kids have made connections with many of their teachers and have a number to choose from when requesting college letters of recommendation or recommendations for summer jobs. They have participated in the music and athletic programs and made lots of friends.

There is a group of kids who are troublemakers, but they tend not to lash out at kids outside their groups. The administrators are enforcing rules more this year and handing out suspensions and detentions. My kids say they are able to work around these groups with little effort.

In terms of college counseling, WL will keep your kid on track with deadlines and give them access to almost daily visits by college reps. They tend to give more assistance to the kids without means to get their applications done, not one on one counseling. So if you need that, hire someone. We haven't needed it.

My kids tell me regularly how lucky they feel to go to W-L, and I'm sure not everyone has the same positive experience but thought I'd share.

XL WL best days are behind it. They are adding another 400 students to the school over the next 3 years. Maybe IB will be insulated from the expanse, but it will just be too big to manage properly.

2020 WL Enrollment 2100
2024 WL Enrollment 2500

So will it stop at 2700 or 2900?

TJ is 1900 students

TJ will be 2200 students next year. TJ is amazing. But I doubt your kid can count on getting in. There just aren’t that many spots.

Op was offered a spot at TJ

i
Pretty sure TJ offers are not out.

TJ offers don't come out until late April. Private school deposits are usually due before the TJ offers are released. We were in this position last year and took the private spot. I was so glad we did, because the new TJ admissions system is random. The kids who got the spots from our MS were not the top math/science students by any measure-- but they did check the TJ experience factors. Just something to consider if you attend a more diverse APS middle school and don't check those boxes. We also had WL IB as an option, but our kid liked the smaller size of the private school. He's getting so much 1:1 interaction with teachers this year in private school-- that's been the biggest and best change from APS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think first you rule out TJ if he's not interested in STEM, then your decision is between W-L and private. I can give you the W-L side of the debate.

Firstly, if your kids are in the top 50% of students, they will have access to impressive IB, AP and DE classes and mostly impressive teachers. The general education classes are sometimes remedial, which was a surprise. Both my kids have made connections with many of their teachers and have a number to choose from when requesting college letters of recommendation or recommendations for summer jobs. They have participated in the music and athletic programs and made lots of friends.

There is a group of kids who are troublemakers, but they tend not to lash out at kids outside their groups. The administrators are enforcing rules more this year and handing out suspensions and detentions. My kids say they are able to work around these groups with little effort.

In terms of college counseling, WL will keep your kid on track with deadlines and give them access to almost daily visits by college reps. They tend to give more assistance to the kids without means to get their applications done, not one on one counseling. So if you need that, hire someone. We haven't needed it.

My kids tell me regularly how lucky they feel to go to W-L, and I'm sure not everyone has the same positive experience but thought I'd share.

XL WL best days are behind it. They are adding another 400 students to the school over the next 3 years. Maybe IB will be insulated from the expanse, but it will just be too big to manage properly.

2020 WL Enrollment 2100
2024 WL Enrollment 2500

So will it stop at 2700 or 2900?

TJ is 1900 students

TJ will be 2200 students next year. TJ is amazing. But I doubt your kid can count on getting in. There just aren’t that many spots.

FWIW, I don’t think there’s a ton of overlap between families considering most rigorous local privates and TJ. We are at Big3 and would not have sent child to TJ for the same reasons we elected not to send child to W&L IB. And of course you sort of have to make up your mind on that front beforehand.

For my family, we see little not value in TJ and did not apply. Size, distance, kind of kid, etc meant not a good fit. I don’t believe in a kid knowing they are Stem or not at 15. My kid is just really really smart and I wanted them to learn to think critically and write in addition to some basic math/science. If they want to go deep into a subject that is the purpose of college/grad school. Furthermore, I think TJ draws a particular type of kid and parent, lots of these folks at local academic competitions drilling their kid on math facts.

Exactly they should be spending weekends with the country club working on their backhand.

It’s not line private schools don’t have a type.

No, they don't. If you knew anyone who attended or sent their kids to independent schools, you'd know this is just wrong.

But the stereotypes you are promoting about TJ are perfectly fine??!!

Oh god. All these schools have stereotypes — TJ, YHS, W&L (and yes the IB program), HB. Private schools make their money on “fit” which is just a euphemism for stereotype. Kids want to feel comfortable and to fit in. Even in giant W&L and TJ, kids are looking for their “fit.” That’s a huge function of HS. Where is my stereotype? Where do I fit? I’m sure there are a million different kinds do successful kids at each of these places but they are allowed to have different “vibes” “fit” and, god forbid “stereotypes.” Don’t be such a baby. TJ “feels” different than Sidwell. And that is OK. We chose not TJ.

[Anonymous]

I guess my stereotype is “baby.” No place at Sidwell. Sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think first you rule out TJ if he's not interested in STEM, then your decision is between W-L and private. I can give you the W-L side of the debate.

Firstly, if your kids are in the top 50% of students, they will have access to impressive IB, AP and DE classes and mostly impressive teachers. The general education classes are sometimes remedial, which was a surprise. Both my kids have made connections with many of their teachers and have a number to choose from when requesting college letters of recommendation or recommendations for summer jobs. They have participated in the music and athletic programs and made lots of friends.

There is a group of kids who are troublemakers, but they tend not to lash out at kids outside their groups. The administrators are enforcing rules more this year and handing out suspensions and detentions. My kids say they are able to work around these groups with little effort.

In terms of college counseling, WL will keep your kid on track with deadlines and give them access to almost daily visits by college reps. They tend to give more assistance to the kids without means to get their applications done, not one on one counseling. So if you need that, hire someone. We haven't needed it.

My kids tell me regularly how lucky they feel to go to W-L, and I'm sure not everyone has the same positive experience but thought I'd share.

XL WL best days are behind it. They are adding another 400 students to the school over the next 3 years. Maybe IB will be insulated from the expanse, but it will just be too big to manage properly.

2020 WL Enrollment 2100
2024 WL Enrollment 2500

So will it stop at 2700 or 2900?

TJ is 1900 students

TJ will be 2200 students next year. TJ is amazing. But I doubt your kid can count on getting in. There just aren’t that many spots.

Op was offered a spot at TJ

i
Pretty sure TJ offers are not out.

TJ offers don't come out until late April. Private school deposits are usually due before the TJ offers are released. We were in this position last year and took the private spot. I was so glad we did, because the new TJ admissions system is random. The kids who got the spots from our MS were not the top math/science students by any measure-- but they did check the TJ experience factors. Just something to consider if you attend a more diverse APS middle school and don't check those boxes. We also had WL IB as an option, but our kid liked the smaller size of the private school. He's getting so much 1:1 interaction with teachers this year in private school-- that's been the biggest and best change from APS.

Absolutely. Of course it’s the admissions system. That’s why your kid didn’t get into TJ. For sure. You know that lots of mediocre APS kids get into the top privates too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess my stereotype is “baby.” No place at Sidwell. Sad.

HB right!?! That’s where I hear the babies go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think first you rule out TJ if he's not interested in STEM, then your decision is between W-L and private. I can give you the W-L side of the debate.

Firstly, if your kids are in the top 50% of students, they will have access to impressive IB, AP and DE classes and mostly impressive teachers. The general education classes are sometimes remedial, which was a surprise. Both my kids have made connections with many of their teachers and have a number to choose from when requesting college letters of recommendation or recommendations for summer jobs. They have participated in the music and athletic programs and made lots of friends.

There is a group of kids who are troublemakers, but they tend not to lash out at kids outside their groups. The administrators are enforcing rules more this year and handing out suspensions and detentions. My kids say they are able to work around these groups with little effort.

In terms of college counseling, WL will keep your kid on track with deadlines and give them access to almost daily visits by college reps. They tend to give more assistance to the kids without means to get their applications done, not one on one counseling. So if you need that, hire someone. We haven't needed it.

My kids tell me regularly how lucky they feel to go to W-L, and I'm sure not everyone has the same positive experience but thought I'd share.

XL WL best days are behind it. They are adding another 400 students to the school over the next 3 years. Maybe IB will be insulated from the expanse, but it will just be too big to manage properly.

2020 WL Enrollment 2100
2024 WL Enrollment 2500

So will it stop at 2700 or 2900?

TJ is 1900 students

TJ will be 2200 students next year. TJ is amazing. But I doubt your kid can count on getting in. There just aren’t that many spots.

Op was offered a spot at TJ

i
Pretty sure TJ offers are not out.

TJ offers don't come out until late April. Private school deposits are usually due before the TJ offers are released. We were in this position last year and took the private spot. I was so glad we did, because the new TJ admissions system is random. The kids who got the spots from our MS were not the top math/science students by any measure-- but they did check the TJ experience factors. Just something to consider if you attend a more diverse APS middle school and don't check those boxes. We also had WL IB as an option, but our kid liked the smaller size of the private school. He's getting so much 1:1 interaction with teachers this year in private school-- that's been the biggest and best change from APS.

What does this mean “ but they did check the TJ experience factors. Just something to consider if you attend a more diverse APS middle school and don't check those boxes.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think first you rule out TJ if he's not interested in STEM, then your decision is between W-L and private. I can give you the W-L side of the debate.

Firstly, if your kids are in the top 50% of students, they will have access to impressive IB, AP and DE classes and mostly impressive teachers. The general education classes are sometimes remedial, which was a surprise. Both my kids have made connections with many of their teachers and have a number to choose from when requesting college letters of recommendation or recommendations for summer jobs. They have participated in the music and athletic programs and made lots of friends.

There is a group of kids who are troublemakers, but they tend not to lash out at kids outside their groups. The administrators are enforcing rules more this year and handing out suspensions and detentions. My kids say they are able to work around these groups with little effort.

In terms of college counseling, WL will keep your kid on track with deadlines and give them access to almost daily visits by college reps. They tend to give more assistance to the kids without means to get their applications done, not one on one counseling. So if you need that, hire someone. We haven't needed it.

My kids tell me regularly how lucky they feel to go to W-L, and I'm sure not everyone has the same positive experience but thought I'd share.

XL WL best days are behind it. They are adding another 400 students to the school over the next 3 years. Maybe IB will be insulated from the expanse, but it will just be too big to manage properly.

2020 WL Enrollment 2100
2024 WL Enrollment 2500

So will it stop at 2700 or 2900?

TJ is 1900 students

TJ will be 2200 students next year. TJ is amazing. But I doubt your kid can count on getting in. There just aren’t that many spots.

Op was offered a spot at TJ

i
Pretty sure TJ offers are not out.

TJ offers don't come out until late April. Private school deposits are usually due before the TJ offers are released. We were in this position last year and took the private spot. I was so glad we did, because the new TJ admissions system is random. The kids who got the spots from our MS were not the top math/science students by any measure-- but they did check the TJ experience factors. Just something to consider if you attend a more diverse APS middle school and don't check those boxes. We also had WL IB as an option, but our kid liked the smaller size of the private school. He's getting so much 1:1 interaction with teachers this year in private school-- that's been the biggest and best change from APS.

Absolutely. Of course it’s the admissions system. That’s why your kid didn’t get into TJ. For sure. You know that lots of mediocre APS kids get into the top privates too.

In our MS, the majority of the spots went to kids who were *not* in 8th grade Geometry, who did *not* do the science fair, who were *not* winning math competitions, etc... all the things that used to matter for TJ. The standout math and science kids at our middle school did not get the spots. The new admissions system at TJ weights certain experience factors (FARMS, ESL) heavily in admissions. When APS only gets four "allocated" spots per school, it matters. APS kids aren't eligible for the "unallocated" pool spots like the Fairfax kids, so once the four spots at your school are gone, your kid is out of the running. The lawsuit related to this new process has been covered extensively in the Washington Post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think first you rule out TJ if he's not interested in STEM, then your decision is between W-L and private. I can give you the W-L side of the debate.

Firstly, if your kids are in the top 50% of students, they will have access to impressive IB, AP and DE classes and mostly impressive teachers. The general education classes are sometimes remedial, which was a surprise. Both my kids have made connections with many of their teachers and have a number to choose from when requesting college letters of recommendation or recommendations for summer jobs. They have participated in the music and athletic programs and made lots of friends.

There is a group of kids who are troublemakers, but they tend not to lash out at kids outside their groups. The administrators are enforcing rules more this year and handing out suspensions and detentions. My kids say they are able to work around these groups with little effort.

In terms of college counseling, WL will keep your kid on track with deadlines and give them access to almost daily visits by college reps. They tend to give more assistance to the kids without means to get their applications done, not one on one counseling. So if you need that, hire someone. We haven't needed it.

My kids tell me regularly how lucky they feel to go to W-L, and I'm sure not everyone has the same positive experience but thought I'd share.

XL WL best days are behind it. They are adding another 400 students to the school over the next 3 years. Maybe IB will be insulated from the expanse, but it will just be too big to manage properly.

2020 WL Enrollment 2100
2024 WL Enrollment 2500

So will it stop at 2700 or 2900?

TJ is 1900 students

TJ will be 2200 students next year. TJ is amazing. But I doubt your kid can count on getting in. There just aren’t that many spots.

Op was offered a spot at TJ

i
Pretty sure TJ offers are not out.

TJ offers don't come out until late April. Private school deposits are usually due before the TJ offers are released. We were in this position last year and took the private spot. I was so glad we did, because the new TJ admissions system is random. The kids who got the spots from our MS were not the top math/science students by any measure-- but they did check the TJ experience factors. Just something to consider if you attend a more diverse APS middle school and don't check those boxes. We also had WL IB as an option, but our kid liked the smaller size of the private school. He's getting so much 1:1 interaction with teachers this year in private school-- that's been the biggest and best change from APS.

Absolutely. Of course it’s the admissions system. That’s why your kid didn’t get into TJ. For sure. You know that lots of mediocre APS kids get into the top privates too.

In our MS, the majority of the spots went to kids who were *not* in 8th grade Geometry, who did *not* do the science fair, who were *not* winning math competitions, etc... all the things that used to matter for TJ. The standout math and science kids at our middle school did not get the spots. The new admissions system at TJ weights certain experience factors (FARMS, ESL) heavily in admissions. When APS only gets four "allocated" spots per school, it matters. APS kids aren't eligible for the "unallocated" pool spots like the Fairfax kids, so once the four spots at your school are gone, your kid is out of the running. The lawsuit related to this new process has been covered extensively in the Washington Post.

What is "FARMS"?

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Anonymous wrote:I think first you rule out TJ if he's not interested in STEM, then your decision is between W-L and private. I can give you the W-L side of the debate.

Firstly, if your kids are in the top 50% of students, they will have access to impressive IB, AP and DE classes and mostly impressive teachers. The general education classes are sometimes remedial, which was a surprise. Both my kids have made connections with many of their teachers and have a number to choose from when requesting college letters of recommendation or recommendations for summer jobs. They have participated in the music and athletic programs and made lots of friends.

There is a group of kids who are troublemakers, but they tend not to lash out at kids outside their groups. The administrators are enforcing rules more this year and handing out suspensions and detentions. My kids say they are able to work around these groups with little effort.

In terms of college counseling, WL will keep your kid on track with deadlines and give them access to almost daily visits by college reps. They tend to give more assistance to the kids without means to get their applications done, not one on one counseling. So if you need that, hire someone. We haven't needed it.

My kids tell me regularly how lucky they feel to go to W-L, and I'm sure not everyone has the same positive experience but thought I'd share.

XL WL best days are behind it. They are adding another 400 students to the school over the next 3 years. Maybe IB will be insulated from the expanse, but it will just be too big to manage properly.

2020 WL Enrollment 2100
2024 WL Enrollment 2500

So will it stop at 2700 or 2900?

TJ is 1900 students

TJ will be 2200 students next year. TJ is amazing. But I doubt your kid can count on getting in. There just aren’t that many spots.

Op was offered a spot at TJ

i
Pretty sure TJ offers are not out.

TJ offers don't come out until late April. Private school deposits are usually due before the TJ offers are released. We were in this position last year and took the private spot. I was so glad we did, because the new TJ admissions system is random. The kids who got the spots from our MS were not the top math/science students by any measure-- but they did check the TJ experience factors. Just something to consider if you attend a more diverse APS middle school and don't check those boxes. We also had WL IB as an option, but our kid liked the smaller size of the private school. He's getting so much 1:1 interaction with teachers this year in private school-- that's been the biggest and best change from APS.

Absolutely. Of course it’s the admissions system. That’s why your kid didn’t get into TJ. For sure. You know that lots of mediocre APS kids get into the top privates too.

In our MS, the majority of the spots went to kids who were *not* in 8th grade Geometry, who did *not* do the science fair, who were *not* winning math competitions, etc... all the things that used to matter for TJ. The standout math and science kids at our middle school did not get the spots. The new admissions system at TJ weights certain experience factors (FARMS, ESL) heavily in admissions. When APS only gets four "allocated" spots per school, it matters. APS kids aren't eligible for the "unallocated" pool spots like the Fairfax kids, so once the four spots at your school are gone, your kid is out of the running. The lawsuit related to this new process has been covered extensively in the Washington Post.

What is "FARMS"?

Kids who are eligible for free and/or reduced-priced lunch due to their family's financial situation.

That criteria turned into a total fiasco in the 2022 admissions cycle, because parents were checking that application box when all kids were eligible for free meals due to COVID. TJ had to rescind admissions offers after they realized some students had checked that box on the basis of the COVID free meals. There are DCUM threads about this on the AAP board. Here's one of them: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1062653.page

The new admissions process, as applied to Arlington schools, puts kids who don't have those demographic factors at a disadvantage if they come from a more diverse school. It works better in Fairfax, where the kids who don't get an allocated spot are then eligible to be considered for the unallocated pool spots. That's why you see a school like Longfellow with 30 kids entering TJ last year. All the Fairfax feeder school stats are on the TJ website. APS doesn't pay for extra spots, so we just get the allocated ones.