TJ Graduation Requirements - READ if your student doesn’t like Science or Math
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Anonymous
My DC is a freshman at TJ. He completed French 1 and 2 in middle school and took French 3 online through LCPS last summer, since it was not offered by FCPS. He is not planning to take AP French since he has fulfilled the world language requirement. |
Anonymous
My kid was in the last merit based year for TJ applications, and I sat through the meeting for my older kid too, also under the old merit based system. It was made very clear to parents by then how rigorous the math was at TJ. Do they no longer communicate that info to applicants now that the application is no longer focused on merit? |
Anonymous
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There has been targeted outreach to underperforming middle schools, suggesting that simply applying to TJ is enough to gain admission under the 1.5% quota. These messages downplay the lack of math and science readiness at those schools, and imply that an emotional personal essay carries more weight. It's only after students receive an offer that they start understanding the real demands of the TJ curriculum. Many ultimately decline the offer, and those spots are then extended to waitlisted students from top-performing middle schools. Those that accept their with the lowest math struggle during freshman and endup leaving, and those spots are backfilled by froshmore 10th grade admits, again from top performing fcps schools that apply.
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Anonymous
So he's not going to apply to UVA or other competitive schools? |
Anonymous
Depends on the major being applied for, student can be competitive by showing rigor in relevant areas. For example, for premed or science majors post AP courses like Organic chemistry and Electrodynamics carry much more weight than an AP world language, as it is relatively easier that those two. |
Anonymous
For STEM majors, strong math and science grades matter more than 4 years of WL. |
Anonymous
If you're pursuing a STEM major (like Computer Science, Engineering, or Pre-Med) and applying to UVA from TJHSST, here’s how the world language requirement typically factors in: 3 Years Is Generally Enough for STEM Applicants UVA does not require 4 years of a world language for admission. 3 years is acceptable and commonly seen even among competitive STEM applicants—especially from rigorous schools like TJHSST. Admissions will weigh your math, science, and overall course rigor more heavily for STEM majors. |
Anonymous
The new math tracks at TJ have a: “Sequence with Additional Math Support” This includes “failing Geometry” and retaking the class in the summer. “Failing Algebra II” and retaking the class over summer. For students who enter who have already taken Algebra II, but have troubles, they can take a year of Math 3 & Algebraic Extensions. For students who struggle with AP Pre-calculus, they can take a year of Intro to calculus + a math elective before taking AP Calculus. There shouldn’t be so many students failing Geometry/Algebra II, or so many students that need an additional year of Algebra extensions, or students that need to take Intro to Calc after already taking AP Pre-calculus. This is the problem with the new admissions process. Too many students are being admitted without the appropriate math abilities. The school should really go back and check end of year grades and make sure that all students still have a 3.5 after finishing 8th grade and that all students have pass advanced math on the SOL. Maybe even give a math test similar to the old entrance exam to students who have already been admitted and require a certain % to be able to enter TJ. Students in middle school are required to pass advance the 7th grade SOL before taking Algebra I in middle school. Something similar should be in place for TJ. |
Anonymous
| Any student who fails a class at TJ should be sent back to their base school. |
Anonymous
I agree. If you are failing by the end of 2nd semester, or the end of the year, then you aren’t ready for TJ. But, if you’re failing 1st quarter and can get it up by 2nd semester, I don’t really see the issue. |
Anonymous
If they do that, it would certainly ignite a political firestorm, as the students most likely to remain would be mostly Asian American, and TJ would have the optics similar to that of NBA, NHL, HBCU school, or HSI school, which are apparently OK, but not when it comes to Asian American majority STEM school. |
Anonymous
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Dear lord people. The threads lately have actually been USEFUL on TJ for a change because the people who have an ax to grind about admissions changes must have gone on vacation or something. Clearly they are back now.
For the love of god, plz give it a rest. Let people talk about stuff at TJ without dragging every thread back into a discussion about admissions. New families are seeking info on TJ not a diatribe from people with a vendetta. |
Anonymous
| If TJ admissions were based on a thorough evaluation of a student's STEM readiness and ability to handle academic rigor, parents wouldn’t be as concerned. But with offers now largely based on a short essay, parents are left guessing how well their child will actually perform at TJ. |