TJ vs Southlakes for UVA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ours had the same choice, opted to stay at base HS, and got into UVA (not CS though). Two of his close friends went to TJ, ED'd UVA and both rejected. Just an anecdote - obviously lots of TJ kids get into UVA - but I suspect it is easier from your base school if a VA public university is your goal. There is no definitive answer here because no one person can do both options and see the results. There will be better more interesting CS class options at TJ so if your kid goes there and does well they will probably be better prepared.

Thanks. Was your base SLHS too? How is the IB track?

I am not that PP but my DS is in the IB program at SLHS. What do you want to know about it? I'd say DS is working hard but is not overworked, and he's learning a lot. The amount of writing he has to do does not seem excessive to me contrary to what a lot of people say about IB.

He has friends who are graduating this year who are doing IB and got into UVA and VT.

As for "It’s easier to be at the top of the class and a perfect GPA from south lakes" - ok, yeah, TJ is a great school and you have to test to get into it, but I assure you there are plenty of smart kids at SLHS. South Lakes sends kids to top schools every year, including Ivy League, Carnegie Mellon, MIT, etc. Don't assume they're all dummies who can't compete with TJ kids.

Thank you! We are trying to decide amongst TJ vs moving to an AP school like Chantilly or Oakton vs staying put at SLHS. We have the financial means to move, but is it worth all the change and stress if SLHS IB can give him a comparable college outcome vs other higher rated FCPS schools.

[Anonymous]

Does FCPS have high school outcome data? Like if one wanted to compare two different high schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ours had the same choice, opted to stay at base HS, and got into UVA (not CS though). Two of his close friends went to TJ, ED'd UVA and both rejected. Just an anecdote - obviously lots of TJ kids get into UVA - but I suspect it is easier from your base school if a VA public university is your goal. There is no definitive answer here because no one person can do both options and see the results. There will be better more interesting CS class options at TJ so if your kid goes there and does well they will probably be better prepared.

Thanks. Was your base SLHS too? How is the IB track?

I am not that PP but my DS is in the IB program at SLHS. What do you want to know about it? I'd say DS is working hard but is not overworked, and he's learning a lot. The amount of writing he has to do does not seem excessive to me contrary to what a lot of people say about IB.

He has friends who are graduating this year who are doing IB and got into UVA and VT.

As for "It’s easier to be at the top of the class and a perfect GPA from south lakes" - ok, yeah, TJ is a great school and you have to test to get into it, but I assure you there are plenty of smart kids at SLHS. South Lakes sends kids to top schools every year, including Ivy League, Carnegie Mellon, MIT, etc. Don't assume they're all dummies who can't compete with TJ kids.

Thank you! We are trying to decide amongst TJ vs moving to an AP school like Chantilly or Oakton vs staying put at SLHS. We have the financial means to move, but is it worth all the change and stress if SLHS IB can give him a comparable college outcome vs other higher rated FCPS schools.

SLHS IB full diploma is comparable to Chantilly / Oakton AP, if not better.

Ultimately, it’s your (and your DS’s) choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does FCPS have high school outcome data? Like if one wanted to compare two different high schools.

I have looked for it, but couldn’t find anything!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ours had the same choice, opted to stay at base HS, and got into UVA (not CS though). Two of his close friends went to TJ, ED'd UVA and both rejected. Just an anecdote - obviously lots of TJ kids get into UVA - but I suspect it is easier from your base school if a VA public university is your goal. There is no definitive answer here because no one person can do both options and see the results. There will be better more interesting CS class options at TJ so if your kid goes there and does well they will probably be better prepared.

Thanks. Was your base SLHS too? How is the IB track?

I am not that PP but my DS is in the IB program at SLHS. What do you want to know about it? I'd say DS is working hard but is not overworked, and he's learning a lot. The amount of writing he has to do does not seem excessive to me contrary to what a lot of people say about IB.

He has friends who are graduating this year who are doing IB and got into UVA and VT.

As for "It’s easier to be at the top of the class and a perfect GPA from south lakes" - ok, yeah, TJ is a great school and you have to test to get into it, but I assure you there are plenty of smart kids at SLHS. South Lakes sends kids to top schools every year, including Ivy League, Carnegie Mellon, MIT, etc. Don't assume they're all dummies who can't compete with TJ kids.

Thank you! We are trying to decide amongst TJ vs moving to an AP school like Chantilly or Oakton vs staying put at SLHS. We have the financial means to move, but is it worth all the change and stress if SLHS IB can give him a comparable college outcome vs other higher rated FCPS schools.

SLHS IB full diploma is comparable to Chantilly / Oakton AP, if not better.

Ultimately, it’s your (and your DS’s) choice.

you don't have to move? can't u pupil place for ap to the closest school with openings? plenty of robinson kids do LBSS for AP, although mostly for athletics I think

[Anonymous]

Start researching JMU, VCU, GMU.

[Anonymous]

All FCPS have kids going to UVA. Just focus on which school is better for your kid. Their performance is the most important thing. Just because 20 kids went to UVA last year doesn't mean your kid will as well.

[Anonymous]

All FCPS have kids going to UVA. Just focus on which school is better for your kid. Their performance is the most important thing. Just because 20 kids went to UVA last year doesn't mean your kid will as well.

This is very good advice. Also, it's fine to shoot for UVA, but don't let your DC fall in love with any school because it will just lead to bitterness. Your kid should have at least 7-8 schools they have a reasonable shot at admissions and would be happy to attend. Build your list around those schools and then add UVA and 3-4 other reaches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ours had the same choice, opted to stay at base HS, and got into UVA (not CS though). Two of his close friends went to TJ, ED'd UVA and both rejected. Just an anecdote - obviously lots of TJ kids get into UVA - but I suspect it is easier from your base school if a VA public university is your goal. There is no definitive answer here because no one person can do both options and see the results. There will be better more interesting CS class options at TJ so if your kid goes there and does well they will probably be better prepared.

Thanks. Was your base SLHS too? How is the IB track?

I am not that PP but my DS is in the IB program at SLHS. What do you want to know about it? I'd say DS is working hard but is not overworked, and he's learning a lot. The amount of writing he has to do does not seem excessive to me contrary to what a lot of people say about IB.

He has friends who are graduating this year who are doing IB and got into UVA and VT.

As for "It’s easier to be at the top of the class and a perfect GPA from south lakes" - ok, yeah, TJ is a great school and you have to test to get into it, but I assure you there are plenty of smart kids at SLHS. South Lakes sends kids to top schools every year, including Ivy League, Carnegie Mellon, MIT, etc. Don't assume they're all dummies who can't compete with TJ kids.

Thank you! We are trying to decide amongst TJ vs moving to an AP school like Chantilly or Oakton vs staying put at SLHS. We have the financial means to move, but is it worth all the change and stress if SLHS IB can give him a comparable college outcome vs other higher rated FCPS schools.

SLHS IB full diploma is comparable to Chantilly / Oakton AP, if not better.

Ultimately, it’s your (and your DS’s) choice.

you don't have to move? can't u pupil place for ap to the closest school with openings? plenty of robinson kids do LBSS for AP, although mostly for athletics I think

I think AP for us is Herndon High, and we are not interested in sending DS there.

[Anonymous]

Another TJ parent of 2. If your GOAL is UVA, TJ is not a good idea. Stay at base school. If the goal is the best opportunities/education in computer science for the next 4 years, go to TJ.

[Anonymous]

Much better odds of getting into UVA for a top performing kid at the base school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is South lakes IB a good program? Is it a comparable school to Chantilly or Oakton for STEM oriented kids?

How do the college outcomes compare? My kid is hardworking and quite smart.

We are torn between moving to a different high school area vs staying put in SLHS. Thanks!

I have a kid at SLHS doing a full IB degree. Our experience has been positive and we are pleased with the IB program. One thing I’ve been super happy about is that the IB program has been excellent for writing. DS can push out a well written paper and is not at all phased when assigned a 1200 word essay.

I agree with the PP who said to choose what is best for your child now. I just want to let you know that staying at the base school is not such a horrible option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is South lakes IB a good program? Is it a comparable school to Chantilly or Oakton for STEM oriented kids?

How do the college outcomes compare? My kid is hardworking and quite smart.

We are torn between moving to a different high school area vs staying put in SLHS. Thanks!

I have a kid at SLHS doing a full IB degree. Our experience has been positive and we are pleased with the IB program. One thing I’ve been super happy about is that the IB program has been excellent for writing. DS can push out a well written paper and is not at all phased when assigned a 1200 word essay.

I agree with the PP who said to choose what is best for your child now. I just want to let you know that staying at the base school is not such a horrible option.

Thanks for this information. We were dissuaded from pursuing the full IB because it was supposed to be a lot harder than AP schools to get a high GPA. Is this true in your experience?

[Anonymous]

Keep in mind that there are high stats kids at slhs that are not admitted to UVA every year, and many kids at TJ that will be admitted - it is impossible to handicap it when your student hasn’t even begun high school yet

How would your student feel if they pass up going to TJ, where there are some really interesting CS classes and opportunities, for SLHS, if in the end they don’t get accepted to UVA? If they are determined to study computer engineering, they should really research what the program of studies looks like at each school and see which will prepare them better for that at whatever college they end up attending.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is South lakes IB a good program? Is it a comparable school to Chantilly or Oakton for STEM oriented kids?

How do the college outcomes compare? My kid is hardworking and quite smart.

We are torn between moving to a different high school area vs staying put in SLHS. Thanks!

This entire thread makes me sad. Your 8th grader has a dream college and a major and isn’t even in high school yet. Move if you want a different neighborhood but please don’t do it because of college outcomes. You don’t know what your kid will want in 4 years. Don’t spend all of high school only focusing on UVA. Let him enjoy being a HS student. As you can see from here, many high stats kids from all schools are rejected since it’s a lottery.