Tjhsst is it worth it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is TJ worth it? To answer that, you would need to look at kids that could have gone to TJ but didn't...and see how they did in life. I have not seen any stats on, for example, the SAT scores of admitted but did not go to TJ.

Another way to do it is to partition the 400 or so students to the base school...it is about 25 kids per HS. Assume that they are equivalent to the top 25 at each school, and see people went. How many people from TJ went to MIT? How about the rest of FCPS?

Not sure that would give you the answer. To see how someone did in life you certainly have to look at more than SAT scores and where they went to college. Life doesn't end with college acceptance or you'd be giving a pass to all the TJ grads who left college, got booted for plagiarism, or otherwise couldn't hack it.

[Anonymous]

True, but you then start running out of metrics. I guess you could look at the median income at age 25/30/35 of TJ students vs the top 5% at non-TJ....

[Anonymous]

Whether or not it's worth it depends on the individual. Individuals have different values and priorities. What makes an experience "worth it" to one person could be meaningless or at least less meaningful to another.

I know several groups of kids who have graduated from TJ, from some who have just graduated to some who are in their mid- and late-twenties. They all are happy they went to TJ and, looking back, are happy with their choice. They didn't all feel that way while they were in high school, but now see the value of being at TJ. That value has as much to do with the friends they made and the experiences they had in sports and other outside activities as with their times in the classroom. "Worth" is not always something that can be measured in numbers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whether or not it's worth it depends on the individual. Individuals have different values and priorities. What makes an experience "worth it" to one person could be meaningless or at least less meaningful to another.

I know several groups of kids who have graduated from TJ, from some who have just graduated to some who are in their mid- and late-twenties. They all are happy they went to TJ and, looking back, are happy with their choice. They didn't all feel that way while they were in high school, but now see the value of being at TJ. That value has as much to do with the friends they made and the experiences they had in sports and other outside activities as with their times in the classroom. "Worth" is not always something that can be measured in numbers.

This is very true, PP. I also know kids from that time period and a little later who really liked TJ. But it's no longer the same place it was back then. It will be interesting to see how the current crop of TJ students feel at that same age. TJ now is much more of a pressure-cooker than it was in the past. To the point where some staff are actually leaving because they feel it's become an unhealthy environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It will confer confidence and open doors like no other school in this region can. It is a valuable badge to have in the wallet for a lifetime.

My TJ diploma hasn't been relevant since I was admitted to college. The contacts that have helped me in my career came from college, grad school and beyond.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous[b wrote:]It will confer confidence and open doors like no other school in this region can. It is a valuable badge to have in the wallet for a lifetime.[/b]

My TJ diploma hasn't been relevant since I was admitted to college. The contacts that have helped me in my career came from college, grad school and beyond.

I agree. Totally irrelevant after college admission. What a total BS!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whether or not it's worth it depends on the individual. Individuals have different values and priorities. What makes an experience "worth it" to one person could be meaningless or at least less meaningful to another.

I know several groups of kids who have graduated from TJ, from some who have just graduated to some who are in their mid- and late-twenties. They all are happy they went to TJ and, looking back, are happy with their choice. They didn't all feel that way while they were in high school, but now see the value of being at TJ. That value has as much to do with the friends they made and the experiences they had in sports and other outside activities as with their times in the classroom. "Worth" is not always something that can be measured in numbers.

This is very true, PP. I also know kids from that time period and a little later who really liked TJ. But it's no longer the same place it was back then. It will be interesting to see how the current crop of TJ students feel at that same age. TJ now is much more of a pressure-cooker than it was in the past. To the point where some staff are actually leaving because they feel it's become an unhealthy environment.

I know a large group of kids who just graduated last month and more who are current students. When this topic comes up, most of the kids think it is worth it and are actually enjoying their time at TJ. By junior and senior year, the kids who are still there tend to be the kids for whom the school is a good fit. Some kids do find themselves in over their heads, but they will usually have transferred back to their base schools, at least by the end of junior year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whether or not it's worth it depends on the individual. Individuals have different values and priorities. What makes an experience "worth it" to one person could be meaningless or at least less meaningful to another.

I know several groups of kids who have graduated from TJ, from some who have just graduated to some who are in their mid- and late-twenties. They all are happy they went to TJ and, looking back, are happy with their choice. They didn't all feel that way while they were in high school, but now see the value of being at TJ. That value has as much to do with the friends they made and the experiences they had in sports and other outside activities as with their times in the classroom. "Worth" is not always something that can be measured in numbers.

This is very true, PP. I also know kids from that time period and a little later who really liked TJ. But it's no longer the same place it was back then. It will be interesting to see how the current crop of TJ students feel at that same age. TJ now is much more of a pressure-cooker than it was in the past. To the point where some staff are actually leaving because they feel it's become an unhealthy environment.

+1

Might be worth thinking about closing TJ in addition to eliminating AAP Centers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whether or not it's worth it depends on the individual. Individuals have different values and priorities. What makes an experience "worth it" to one person could be meaningless or at least less meaningful to another.

I know several groups of kids who have graduated from TJ, from some who have just graduated to some who are in their mid- and late-twenties. They all are happy they went to TJ and, looking back, are happy with their choice. They didn't all feel that way while they were in high school, but now see the value of being at TJ. That value has as much to do with the friends they made and the experiences they had in sports and other outside activities as with their times in the classroom. "Worth" is not always something that can be measured in numbers.

This is very true, PP. I also know kids from that time period and a little later who really liked TJ. But it's no longer the same place it was back then. It will be interesting to see how the current crop of TJ students feel at that same age. TJ now is much more of a pressure-cooker than it was in the past. To the point where some staff are actually leaving because they feel it's become an unhealthy environment.

+1

Might be worth thinking about closing TJ in addition to eliminating AAP Centers.

The TJ types of kids will still push themselves even if they are at their base school. TJ is a different place than it was 10-15 years ago, but the kids are still accomplishing great feats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whether or not it's worth it depends on the individual. Individuals have different values and priorities. What makes an experience "worth it" to one person could be meaningless or at least less meaningful to another.

I know several groups of kids who have graduated from TJ, from some who have just graduated to some who are in their mid- and late-twenties. They all are happy they went to TJ and, looking back, are happy with their choice. They didn't all feel that way while they were in high school, but now see the value of being at TJ. That value has as much to do with the friends they made and the experiences they had in sports and other outside activities as with their times in the classroom. "Worth" is not always something that can be measured in numbers.

This is very true, PP. I also know kids from that time period and a little later who really liked TJ. But it's no longer the same place it was back then. It will be interesting to see how the current crop of TJ students feel at that same age. TJ now is much more of a pressure-cooker than it was in the past. To the point where some staff are actually leaving because they feel it's become an unhealthy environment.

+1

Might be worth thinking about closing TJ in addition to eliminating AAP Centers.

The TJ types of kids will still push themselves even if they are at their base school. TJ is a different place than it was 10-15 years ago, but the kids are still accomplishing great feats.

I agree but it makes me wonder why we need TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It will confer confidence and open doors like no other school in this region can. It is a valuable badge to have in the wallet for a lifetime.

UVA rejects tons of kids from TJ. It is better to be at the top of your local high school than middle of the road at TJ. My son is advanced, has a very high IQ, loves STEM and has received two major science awards. He is in 6th grade and three teachers have already mentioned TJ, but I would NEVER let him go there. First because there will be tons of other kids like him there and he will have to work too hard to be top. I want him to continue to play his sports and enjoy high school. At our local high school he can take advanced classes, play sports and excel without all the TJ pressure. Second, I don't like the demographics at TJ. I want him to go to a more diverse school, like his current elementary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whether or not it's worth it depends on the individual. Individuals have different values and priorities. What makes an experience "worth it" to one person could be meaningless or at least less meaningful to another.

I know several groups of kids who have graduated from TJ, from some who have just graduated to some who are in their mid- and late-twenties. They all are happy they went to TJ and, looking back, are happy with their choice. They didn't all feel that way while they were in high school, but now see the value of being at TJ. That value has as much to do with the friends they made and the experiences they had in sports and other outside activities as with their times in the classroom. "Worth" is not always something that can be measured in numbers.

This is very true, PP. I also know kids from that time period and a little later who really liked TJ. But it's no longer the same place it was back then. It will be interesting to see how the current crop of TJ students feel at that same age. TJ now is much more of a pressure-cooker than it was in the past. To the point where some staff are actually leaving because they feel it's become an unhealthy environment.

+1

Might be worth thinking about closing TJ in addition to eliminating AAP Centers.

Just because you and your off-springs are stupid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It will confer confidence and open doors like no other school in this region can. It is a valuable badge to have in the wallet for a lifetime.

My TJ diploma hasn't been relevant since I was admitted to college. The contacts that have helped me in my career came from college, grad school and beyond.

And, had it really helped you getting into college? If you were top 5 at your base school, would you have done just as well?

There are kids that will benefit from TJ -- those are the kids that appear to be struggling, because they are getting A's on all the tests but 0's on the HW....they usually Ace the standardized tests, but don't see the point of doing problems just for the sake of doing problems....once they get it, they get it. They will work really hard until they understand the problem....but once they do, they stop. Albert Einstein was like this. As was Richard Feynmen. But, those kids will not be admitted to TJ....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It will confer confidence and open doors like no other school in this region can. It is a valuable badge to have in the wallet for a lifetime.

My TJ diploma hasn't been relevant since I was admitted to college. The contacts that have helped me in my career came from college, grad school and beyond.

And, had it really helped you getting into college? If you were top 5 at your base school, would you have done just as well?

There are kids that will benefit from TJ -- those are the kids that appear to be struggling, because they are getting A's on all the tests but 0's on the HW....they usually Ace the standardized tests, but don't see the point of doing problems just for the sake of doing problems....once they get it, they get it. They will work really hard until they understand the problem....but once they do, they stop. Albert Einstein was like this. As was Richard Feynmen. But, those kids will not be admitted to TJ....

The answer is yes. Absolutely. Top 5 will get picked up quicker than middle of pack TJ kid for sure. Colleges want kids from all HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whether or not it's worth it depends on the individual. Individuals have different values and priorities. What makes an experience "worth it" to one person could be meaningless or at least less meaningful to another.

I know several groups of kids who have graduated from TJ, from some who have just graduated to some who are in their mid- and late-twenties. They all are happy they went to TJ and, looking back, are happy with their choice. They didn't all feel that way while they were in high school, but now see the value of being at TJ. That value has as much to do with the friends they made and the experiences they had in sports and other outside activities as with their times in the classroom. "Worth" is not always something that can be measured in numbers.

This is very true, PP. I also know kids from that time period and a little later who really liked TJ. But it's no longer the same place it was back then. It will be interesting to see how the current crop of TJ students feel at that same age. TJ now is much more of a pressure-cooker than it was in the past. To the point where some staff are actually leaving because they feel it's become an unhealthy environment.

+1

Might be worth thinking about closing TJ in addition to eliminating AAP Centers.

Just because you and your off-springs are stupid?

My kids are in college, sweetie. No, they do not attend my university.