What are the new TJ feeders

[Anonymous]

OP - your child, on his own, without all of the prep and stress you put upon him, would not have gotten into TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, yes they considered “experience factors” when coming up with the 1.5% so they were not focusing on academic merit but instead on increasing diversity from underrepresented groups.

It’s really scary that a number of parents are reporting kids got in with just Algebra. My kid’s year, the number of kids who didn’t have Geometry was probably single digits. Even non-AP junior physics is Calc based at TJ, and even kids taking Calc junior year struggle first semester. TJ’s model is world renowned. They literally host physics teachers from around the world and train them in how to use TJ’s physics curriculum. I personally only know of one kid who went through junior physics while taking Math 4/5 (as opposed to taking geometry or TJ Math over the summer) and they got a D with heavy tutoring and were rejected ED from WM. Geosystems is required and assumes single variable Calc knowledge. So do several of the tech tracks and upper level CS.

My kid had to self teach basic Calc with Kahn Academy as summer homework before junior year as a requirement of physics.

Prior to this year, the only real reason they didn’t require Geometry was it wasn’t an option at some privates and some kids moving from OOS didn’t have access. Those kids were advised to take geometry over the summer. From FCPS, very few kids got in with just A1. It’s really hard to do any of the upper level classes without Calculus junior year at the latest.

Why bring kids in who can’t do the upper level classes.

Wow. My kid is one of those that got in to TJ this year with "just Algebra". He got into Level IV AAP with NO outside enrichment, tutoring, workbooks etc. and didn't take the IQ exam or whatever it is at a testing center or from a paid psychologist. He never did ANY supplemental work aside from his school work at a public school. He barely missed getting placed into Honors Algebra for 7th grade so had to take Honors Pre-Algebra. I'm sure if he had done some enrichment before the placement test in 6th grade he could've scored high enough to be placed into Algebra then would have had AAP/Honors Geometry for 8th grade. I'm sure he will have to work very hard at TJ. Probably even harder than those kids that are "superior" to him in math etc. But he wants to give it a try. If he decides to go back to his base school, I bet he will be just fine as well. Sib got into a HYPS from a top 10 FCPS high school (never even tried for TJ) without being a recruited athlete or superstar in anything and even had a B in a non-AP math class. And we aren't Black or Hispanic in case you're wondering. And not first generation. I guess my kids are "lucky" to benefit from holistic admissions. While I celebrate increased diversity of every kind, I do believe the change in TJ admissions policy is discriminatory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, yes they considered “experience factors” when coming up with the 1.5% so they were not focusing on academic merit but instead on increasing diversity from underrepresented groups.

It’s really scary that a number of parents are reporting kids got in with just Algebra. My kid’s year, the number of kids who didn’t have Geometry was probably single digits. Even non-AP junior physics is Calc based at TJ, and even kids taking Calc junior year struggle first semester. TJ’s model is world renowned. They literally host physics teachers from around the world and train them in how to use TJ’s physics curriculum. I personally only know of one kid who went through junior physics while taking Math 4/5 (as opposed to taking geometry or TJ Math over the summer) and they got a D with heavy tutoring and were rejected ED from WM. Geosystems is required and assumes single variable Calc knowledge. So do several of the tech tracks and upper level CS.

My kid had to self teach basic Calc with Kahn Academy as summer homework before junior year as a requirement of physics.

Prior to this year, the only real reason they didn’t require Geometry was it wasn’t an option at some privates and some kids moving from OOS didn’t have access. Those kids were advised to take geometry over the summer. From FCPS, very few kids got in with just A1. It’s really hard to do any of the upper level classes without Calculus junior year at the latest.

Why bring kids in who can’t do the upper level classes.

Wow. My kid is one of those that got in to TJ this year with "just Algebra". He got into Level IV AAP with NO outside enrichment, tutoring, workbooks etc. and didn't take the IQ exam or whatever it is at a testing center or from a paid psychologist. He never did ANY supplemental work aside from his school work at a public school. He barely missed getting placed into Honors Algebra for 7th grade so had to take Honors Pre-Algebra. I'm sure if he had done some enrichment before the placement test in 6th grade he could've scored high enough to be placed into Algebra then would have had AAP/Honors Geometry for 8th grade. I'm sure he will have to work very hard at TJ. Probably even harder than those kids that are "superior" to him in math etc. But he wants to give it a try. If he decides to go back to his base school, I bet he will be just fine as well. Sib got into a HYPS from a top 10 FCPS high school (never even tried for TJ) without being a recruited athlete or superstar in anything and even had a B in a non-AP math class. And we aren't Black or Hispanic in case you're wondering. And not first generation. I guess my kids are "lucky" to benefit from holistic admissions. While I celebrate increased diversity of every kind, I do believe the change in TJ admissions policy is discriminatory.

Welcome to the bottom 10 percent at TJ. It ain’t fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, yes they considered “experience factors” when coming up with the 1.5% so they were not focusing on academic merit but instead on increasing diversity from underrepresented groups.

It’s really scary that a number of parents are reporting kids got in with just Algebra. My kid’s year, the number of kids who didn’t have Geometry was probably single digits. Even non-AP junior physics is Calc based at TJ, and even kids taking Calc junior year struggle first semester. TJ’s model is world renowned. They literally host physics teachers from around the world and train them in how to use TJ’s physics curriculum. I personally only know of one kid who went through junior physics while taking Math 4/5 (as opposed to taking geometry or TJ Math over the summer) and they got a D with heavy tutoring and were rejected ED from WM. Geosystems is required and assumes single variable Calc knowledge. So do several of the tech tracks and upper level CS.

My kid had to self teach basic Calc with Kahn Academy as summer homework before junior year as a requirement of physics.

Prior to this year, the only real reason they didn’t require Geometry was it wasn’t an option at some privates and some kids moving from OOS didn’t have access. Those kids were advised to take geometry over the summer. From FCPS, very few kids got in with just A1. It’s really hard to do any of the upper level classes without Calculus junior year at the latest.

Why bring kids in who can’t do the upper level classes.

Wow. My kid is one of those that got in to TJ this year with "just Algebra". He got into Level IV AAP with NO outside enrichment, tutoring, workbooks etc. and didn't take the IQ exam or whatever it is at a testing center or from a paid psychologist. He never did ANY supplemental work aside from his school work at a public school. He barely missed getting placed into Honors Algebra for 7th grade so had to take Honors Pre-Algebra. I'm sure if he had done some enrichment before the placement test in 6th grade he could've scored high enough to be placed into Algebra then would have had AAP/Honors Geometry for 8th grade. I'm sure he will have to work very hard at TJ. Probably even harder than those kids that are "superior" to him in math etc. But he wants to give it a try. If he decides to go back to his base school, I bet he will be just fine as well. Sib got into a HYPS from a top 10 FCPS high school (never even tried for TJ) without being a recruited athlete or superstar in anything and even had a B in a non-AP math class. And we aren't Black or Hispanic in case you're wondering. And not first generation. I guess my kids are "lucky" to benefit from holistic admissions. While I celebrate increased diversity of every kind, I do believe the change in TJ admissions policy is discriminatory.

First, most kids get into level IV without prepping or what not. That’s not impressive.

Second, getting into Algebra in 7th isn’t a high bar. If your kid missed it, TJ Math 4/5 and Physics will chew your kid up and spit him out. I is not a good sign if your kid can’t even make 7th grade A1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, yes they considered “experience factors” when coming up with the 1.5% so they were not focusing on academic merit but instead on increasing diversity from underrepresented groups.

It’s really scary that a number of parents are reporting kids got in with just Algebra. My kid’s year, the number of kids who didn’t have Geometry was probably single digits. Even non-AP junior physics is Calc based at TJ, and even kids taking Calc junior year struggle first semester. TJ’s model is world renowned. They literally host physics teachers from around the world and train them in how to use TJ’s physics curriculum. I personally only know of one kid who went through junior physics while taking Math 4/5 (as opposed to taking geometry or TJ Math over the summer) and they got a D with heavy tutoring and were rejected ED from WM. Geosystems is required and assumes single variable Calc knowledge. So do several of the tech tracks and upper level CS.

My kid had to self teach basic Calc with Kahn Academy as summer homework before junior year as a requirement of physics.

Prior to this year, the only real reason they didn’t require Geometry was it wasn’t an option at some privates and some kids moving from OOS didn’t have access. Those kids were advised to take geometry over the summer. From FCPS, very few kids got in with just A1. It’s really hard to do any of the upper level classes without Calculus junior year at the latest.

Why bring kids in who can’t do the upper level classes.

Wow. My kid is one of those that got in to TJ this year with "just Algebra". He got into Level IV AAP with NO outside enrichment, tutoring, workbooks etc. and didn't take the IQ exam or whatever it is at a testing center or from a paid psychologist. He never did ANY supplemental work aside from his school work at a public school. He barely missed getting placed into Honors Algebra for 7th grade so had to take Honors Pre-Algebra. I'm sure if he had done some enrichment before the placement test in 6th grade he could've scored high enough to be placed into Algebra then would have had AAP/Honors Geometry for 8th grade. I'm sure he will have to work very hard at TJ. Probably even harder than those kids that are "superior" to him in math etc. But he wants to give it a try. If he decides to go back to his base school, I bet he will be just fine as well. Sib got into a HYPS from a top 10 FCPS high school (never even tried for TJ) without being a recruited athlete or superstar in anything and even had a B in a non-AP math class. And we aren't Black or Hispanic in case you're wondering. And not first generation. I guess my kids are "lucky" to benefit from holistic admissions. While I celebrate increased diversity of every kind, I do believe the change in TJ admissions policy is discriminatory.

First, most kids get into level IV without prepping or what not. That’s not impressive.

Second, getting into Algebra in 7th isn’t a high bar. If your kid missed it, TJ Math 4/5 and Physics will chew your kid up and spit him out. I is not a good sign if your kid can’t even make 7th grade A1.

Jealous haters. You sound like the parents of Ivy Stanford rejects.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, yes they considered “experience factors” when coming up with the 1.5% so they were not focusing on academic merit but instead on increasing diversity from underrepresented groups.

It’s really scary that a number of parents are reporting kids got in with just Algebra. My kid’s year, the number of kids who didn’t have Geometry was probably single digits. Even non-AP junior physics is Calc based at TJ, and even kids taking Calc junior year struggle first semester. TJ’s model is world renowned. They literally host physics teachers from around the world and train them in how to use TJ’s physics curriculum. I personally only know of one kid who went through junior physics while taking Math 4/5 (as opposed to taking geometry or TJ Math over the summer) and they got a D with heavy tutoring and were rejected ED from WM. Geosystems is required and assumes single variable Calc knowledge. So do several of the tech tracks and upper level CS.

My kid had to self teach basic Calc with Kahn Academy as summer homework before junior year as a requirement of physics.

Prior to this year, the only real reason they didn’t require Geometry was it wasn’t an option at some privates and some kids moving from OOS didn’t have access. Those kids were advised to take geometry over the summer. From FCPS, very few kids got in with just A1. It’s really hard to do any of the upper level classes without Calculus junior year at the latest.

Why bring kids in who can’t do the upper level classes.

Wow. My kid is one of those that got in to TJ this year with "just Algebra". He got into Level IV AAP with NO outside enrichment, tutoring, workbooks etc. and didn't take the IQ exam or whatever it is at a testing center or from a paid psychologist. He never did ANY supplemental work aside from his school work at a public school. He barely missed getting placed into Honors Algebra for 7th grade so had to take Honors Pre-Algebra. I'm sure if he had done some enrichment before the placement test in 6th grade he could've scored high enough to be placed into Algebra then would have had AAP/Honors Geometry for 8th grade. I'm sure he will have to work very hard at TJ. Probably even harder than those kids that are "superior" to him in math etc. But he wants to give it a try. If he decides to go back to his base school, I bet he will be just fine as well. Sib got into a HYPS from a top 10 FCPS high school (never even tried for TJ) without being a recruited athlete or superstar in anything and even had a B in a non-AP math class. And we aren't Black or Hispanic in case you're wondering. And not first generation. I guess my kids are "lucky" to benefit from holistic admissions. While I celebrate increased diversity of every kind, I do believe the change in TJ admissions policy is discriminatory.

Welcome to the bottom 10 percent at TJ. It ain’t fun.

+1. It’s hard to imagine going into a TJ with just Algebra I. Nobody is slowing down for your kid because he doesn’t have a grasp of basic Calculus by the beginning of junior year. Let alone pre-Calc and trig.

I would imagine after this year they will start making kids come in with Geometry. Otherwise it’s going to be a mess. I mean, you know they added 70 kids so they could drop back a significant percent of the class and still be okay. But I think they forget that behind every drop back is a Karen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All I hope is that FCPS doesn’t double down and expect people to pretend TJ is special or really a place for the best and the brightest any longer. It’s just a not very convincing demonstration project for FCPS to tout its flimsy commitment to promoting URMs within the system.

Was it though, really?

TJ is the best high school in the country, has the highest SAT scores and leaves highly rated schools such as Langley and McLean in the dust for debate and Model UN. Also has the best chess team and the best quizbowl team in the country etc.

That must annoy the heck out of Langley and McLean parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, yes they considered “experience factors” when coming up with the 1.5% so they were not focusing on academic merit but instead on increasing diversity from underrepresented groups.

It’s really scary that a number of parents are reporting kids got in with just Algebra. My kid’s year, the number of kids who didn’t have Geometry was probably single digits. Even non-AP junior physics is Calc based at TJ, and even kids taking Calc junior year struggle first semester. TJ’s model is world renowned. They literally host physics teachers from around the world and train them in how to use TJ’s physics curriculum. I personally only know of one kid who went through junior physics while taking Math 4/5 (as opposed to taking geometry or TJ Math over the summer) and they got a D with heavy tutoring and were rejected ED from WM. Geosystems is required and assumes single variable Calc knowledge. So do several of the tech tracks and upper level CS.

My kid had to self teach basic Calc with Kahn Academy as summer homework before junior year as a requirement of physics.

Prior to this year, the only real reason they didn’t require Geometry was it wasn’t an option at some privates and some kids moving from OOS didn’t have access. Those kids were advised to take geometry over the summer. From FCPS, very few kids got in with just A1. It’s really hard to do any of the upper level classes without Calculus junior year at the latest.

Why bring kids in who can’t do the upper level classes.

Wow. My kid is one of those that got in to TJ this year with "just Algebra". He got into Level IV AAP with NO outside enrichment, tutoring, workbooks etc. and didn't take the IQ exam or whatever it is at a testing center or from a paid psychologist. He never did ANY supplemental work aside from his school work at a public school. He barely missed getting placed into Honors Algebra for 7th grade so had to take Honors Pre-Algebra. I'm sure if he had done some enrichment before the placement test in 6th grade he could've scored high enough to be placed into Algebra then would have had AAP/Honors Geometry for 8th grade. I'm sure he will have to work very hard at TJ. Probably even harder than those kids that are "superior" to him in math etc. But he wants to give it a try. If he decides to go back to his base school, I bet he will be just fine as well. Sib got into a HYPS from a top 10 FCPS high school (never even tried for TJ) without being a recruited athlete or superstar in anything and even had a B in a non-AP math class. And we aren't Black or Hispanic in case you're wondering. And not first generation. I guess my kids are "lucky" to benefit from holistic admissions. While I celebrate increased diversity of every kind, I do believe the change in TJ admissions policy is discriminatory.

First, most kids get into level IV without prepping or what not. That’s not impressive.

Second, getting into Algebra in 7th isn’t a high bar. If your kid missed it, TJ Math 4/5 and Physics will chew your kid up and spit him out. I is not a good sign if your kid can’t even make 7th grade A1.

Jealous haters. You sound like the parents of Ivy Stanford rejects.

Nope. Parent of @ TJ grad. Which is more than you will ever be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, yes they considered “experience factors” when coming up with the 1.5% so they were not focusing on academic merit but instead on increasing diversity from underrepresented groups.

It’s really scary that a number of parents are reporting kids got in with just Algebra. My kid’s year, the number of kids who didn’t have Geometry was probably single digits. Even non-AP junior physics is Calc based at TJ, and even kids taking Calc junior year struggle first semester. TJ’s model is world renowned. They literally host physics teachers from around the world and train them in how to use TJ’s physics curriculum. I personally only know of one kid who went through junior physics while taking Math 4/5 (as opposed to taking geometry or TJ Math over the summer) and they got a D with heavy tutoring and were rejected ED from WM. Geosystems is required and assumes single variable Calc knowledge. So do several of the tech tracks and upper level CS.

My kid had to self teach basic Calc with Kahn Academy as summer homework before junior year as a requirement of physics.

Prior to this year, the only real reason they didn’t require Geometry was it wasn’t an option at some privates and some kids moving from OOS didn’t have access. Those kids were advised to take geometry over the summer. From FCPS, very few kids got in with just A1. It’s really hard to do any of the upper level classes without Calculus junior year at the latest.

Why bring kids in who can’t do the upper level classes.

Wow. My kid is one of those that got in to TJ this year with "just Algebra". He got into Level IV AAP with NO outside enrichment, tutoring, workbooks etc. and didn't take the IQ exam or whatever it is at a testing center or from a paid psychologist. He never did ANY supplemental work aside from his school work at a public school. He barely missed getting placed into Honors Algebra for 7th grade so had to take Honors Pre-Algebra. I'm sure if he had done some enrichment before the placement test in 6th grade he could've scored high enough to be placed into Algebra then would have had AAP/Honors Geometry for 8th grade. I'm sure he will have to work very hard at TJ. Probably even harder than those kids that are "superior" to him in math etc. But he wants to give it a try. If he decides to go back to his base school, I bet he will be just fine as well. Sib got into a HYPS from a top 10 FCPS high school (never even tried for TJ) without being a recruited athlete or superstar in anything and even had a B in a non-AP math class. And we aren't Black or Hispanic in case you're wondering. And not first generation. I guess my kids are "lucky" to benefit from holistic admissions. While I celebrate increased diversity of every kind, I do believe the change in TJ admissions policy is discriminatory.

Welcome to the bottom 10 percent at TJ. It ain’t fun.

+1. It’s hard to imagine going into a TJ with just Algebra I. Nobody is slowing down for your kid because he doesn’t have a grasp of basic Calculus by the beginning of junior year. Let alone pre-Calc and trig.

I would imagine after this year they will start making kids come in with Geometry. Otherwise it’s going to be a mess. I mean, you know they added 70 kids so they could drop back a significant percent of the class and still be okay. But I think they forget that behind every drop back is a Karen.

My kid entered TJ having completed Geometry and had a rough time in math freshmen year and almost derailed the whole semester.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, yes they considered “experience factors” when coming up with the 1.5% so they were not focusing on academic merit but instead on increasing diversity from underrepresented groups.

It’s really scary that a number of parents are reporting kids got in with just Algebra. My kid’s year, the number of kids who didn’t have Geometry was probably single digits. Even non-AP junior physics is Calc based at TJ, and even kids taking Calc junior year struggle first semester. TJ’s model is world renowned. They literally host physics teachers from around the world and train them in how to use TJ’s physics curriculum. I personally only know of one kid who went through junior physics while taking Math 4/5 (as opposed to taking geometry or TJ Math over the summer) and they got a D with heavy tutoring and were rejected ED from WM. Geosystems is required and assumes single variable Calc knowledge. So do several of the tech tracks and upper level CS.

My kid had to self teach basic Calc with Kahn Academy as summer homework before junior year as a requirement of physics.

Prior to this year, the only real reason they didn’t require Geometry was it wasn’t an option at some privates and some kids moving from OOS didn’t have access. Those kids were advised to take geometry over the summer. From FCPS, very few kids got in with just A1. It’s really hard to do any of the upper level classes without Calculus junior year at the latest.

Why bring kids in who can’t do the upper level classes.

Wow. My kid is one of those that got in to TJ this year with "just Algebra". He got into Level IV AAP with NO outside enrichment, tutoring, workbooks etc. and didn't take the IQ exam or whatever it is at a testing center or from a paid psychologist. He never did ANY supplemental work aside from his school work at a public school. He barely missed getting placed into Honors Algebra for 7th grade so had to take Honors Pre-Algebra. I'm sure if he had done some enrichment before the placement test in 6th grade he could've scored high enough to be placed into Algebra then would have had AAP/Honors Geometry for 8th grade. I'm sure he will have to work very hard at TJ. Probably even harder than those kids that are "superior" to him in math etc. But he wants to give it a try. If he decides to go back to his base school, I bet he will be just fine as well. Sib got into a HYPS from a top 10 FCPS high school (never even tried for TJ) without being a recruited athlete or superstar in anything and even had a B in a non-AP math class. And we aren't Black or Hispanic in case you're wondering. And not first generation. I guess my kids are "lucky" to benefit from holistic admissions. While I celebrate increased diversity of every kind, I do believe the change in TJ admissions policy is discriminatory.

First, most kids get into level IV without prepping or what not. That’s not impressive.

Second, getting into Algebra in 7th isn’t a high bar. If your kid missed it, TJ Math 4/5 and Physics will chew your kid up and spit him out. I is not a good sign if your kid can’t even make 7th grade A1.

Jealous haters. You sound like the parents of Ivy Stanford rejects.

Nope. Parent of @ TJ grad. Which is more than you will ever be.

I'm a HYPS grad. Parent of a HYPS grad (nope not legacy). And will have at least another HYPS grad before my TJ 2025 kid that you're counting on dropping out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
It honestly makes no sense to consider a kid who is taking algebra II in 8th grade is somehow more worthy of TJ than a kid who is taking Algebra I in 8th grade. Both kids are advanced. And the majority of kids on these super accelerated paths are only there because of a combination of parental pressure, outside tutoring, and other advantages. And they are only on that path because their parents want TJ, and the old system rewarded previous advantage with more advantage.

A kid who is taking Algebra II in 8th grade isn't necessarily worthy, but a kid in 8th grade Algebra, absent any extenuating circumstances, definitely isn't ready. The bar to qualify for Algebra in 7th is very low. Any kid taking advanced math who is actually good in math should easily qualify without any parental pressure, outside tutoring, or anything. Kids who are in FCPS and fail to qualify for Algebra in 7th are quite frankly not very smart at math.

Also, at least the Algebra II kid has a long track record of success in high school math classes. They have grades for all of Honors Algebra I, Honors Geometry, and half of Algebra II, with their Algebra and Geometry grades coming from in-person, pre-covid instruction. The other kids have only pre-Algebra, and one semester of watered down, grade-inflated distance learning Algebra.

Even if "worthiness" is set aside, I would prioritize kids who will be taking a large load of TJ specific advanced classes over kids who will mostly be taking classes that are readily available at their base schools. There isn't much of a reason to be at TJ if you're going to top out at AP Calc and maybe AP Physics 1.

Nope. This just created parents like OP who thought they had figured out the recipe for getting into TJ. And they loved that it was harder to attain by most kids who went without the knowledge of the “secret” recipe and means to achieve it. This has nothing to do with talent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Nope. This just created parents like OP who thought they had figured out the recipe for getting into TJ. And they loved that it was harder to attain by most kids who went without the knowledge of the “secret” recipe and means to achieve it. This has nothing to do with talent.

What secret recipe? Being good at math?

If being advanced in math, getting straight As in the highest levels of classes offered by your school, and excelling in STEM competitions doesn't make a child TJ-worthy, then what does? Getting Bs? Taking regular classes? Failing to qualify for Algebra? Not even participating in STEM competitions or doing poorly? Have we entered bizarro world?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, yes they considered “experience factors” when coming up with the 1.5% so they were not focusing on academic merit but instead on increasing diversity from underrepresented groups.

It’s really scary that a number of parents are reporting kids got in with just Algebra. My kid’s year, the number of kids who didn’t have Geometry was probably single digits. Even non-AP junior physics is Calc based at TJ, and even kids taking Calc junior year struggle first semester. TJ’s model is world renowned. They literally host physics teachers from around the world and train them in how to use TJ’s physics curriculum. I personally only know of one kid who went through junior physics while taking Math 4/5 (as opposed to taking geometry or TJ Math over the summer) and they got a D with heavy tutoring and were rejected ED from WM. Geosystems is required and assumes single variable Calc knowledge. So do several of the tech tracks and upper level CS.

My kid had to self teach basic Calc with Kahn Academy as summer homework before junior year as a requirement of physics.

Prior to this year, the only real reason they didn’t require Geometry was it wasn’t an option at some privates and some kids moving from OOS didn’t have access. Those kids were advised to take geometry over the summer. From FCPS, very few kids got in with just A1. It’s really hard to do any of the upper level classes without Calculus junior year at the latest.

Why bring kids in who can’t do the upper level classes.

Wow. My kid is one of those that got in to TJ this year with "just Algebra". He got into Level IV AAP with NO outside enrichment, tutoring, workbooks etc. and didn't take the IQ exam or whatever it is at a testing center or from a paid psychologist. He never did ANY supplemental work aside from his school work at a public school. He barely missed getting placed into Honors Algebra for 7th grade so had to take Honors Pre-Algebra. I'm sure if he had done some enrichment before the placement test in 6th grade he could've scored high enough to be placed into Algebra then would have had AAP/Honors Geometry for 8th grade. I'm sure he will have to work very hard at TJ. Probably even harder than those kids that are "superior" to him in math etc. But he wants to give it a try. If he decides to go back to his base school, I bet he will be just fine as well. Sib got into a HYPS from a top 10 FCPS high school (never even tried for TJ) without being a recruited athlete or superstar in anything and even had a B in a non-AP math class. And we aren't Black or Hispanic in case you're wondering. And not first generation. I guess my kids are "lucky" to benefit from holistic admissions. While I celebrate increased diversity of every kind, I do believe the change in TJ admissions policy is discriminatory.

First, most kids get into level IV without prepping or what not. That’s not impressive.

Second, getting into Algebra in 7th isn’t a high bar. If your kid missed it, TJ Math 4/5 and Physics will chew your kid up and spit him out. I is not a good sign if your kid can’t even make 7th grade A1.

Jealous haters. You sound like the parents of Ivy Stanford rejects.

Nope. Parent of @ TJ grad. Which is more than you will ever be.

I'm a HYPS grad. Parent of a HYPS grad (nope not legacy). And will have at least another HYPS grad before my TJ 2025 kid that you're counting on dropping out.

I bet your fun at parties. “Hi! I’m Karen and I went to HYPS!” Pay attention to mmmmeeeeeeee. My DS and I are HPYS”.

Your sh*t stinks too. And no, I don’t think your kid will drop out. But, there’s a high chance he’ll drop back. They what will you say a cocktail parties?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Nope. This just created parents like OP who thought they had figured out the recipe for getting into TJ. And they loved that it was harder to attain by most kids who went without the knowledge of the “secret” recipe and means to achieve it. This has nothing to do with talent.

What secret recipe? Being good at math?

If being advanced in math, getting straight As in the highest levels of classes offered by your school, and excelling in STEM competitions doesn't make a child TJ-worthy, then what does? Getting Bs? Taking regular classes? Failing to qualify for Algebra? Not even participating in STEM competitions or doing poorly? Have we entered bizarro world?

Yes. We have entered bizarre world when Karen thinks her can do TJ with just Algebra I because “I went to HYPS!” Which apparently makes her kid who can’t place into Alebra more worthy than the kids who took Algebra II but whose parents only went to UVA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Nope. This just created parents like OP who thought they had figured out the recipe for getting into TJ. And they loved that it was harder to attain by most kids who went without the knowledge of the “secret” recipe and means to achieve it. This has nothing to do with talent.

What secret recipe? Being good at math?

If being advanced in math, getting straight As in the highest levels of classes offered by your school, and excelling in STEM competitions doesn't make a child TJ-worthy, then what does? Getting Bs? Taking regular classes? Failing to qualify for Algebra? Not even participating in STEM competitions or doing poorly? Have we entered bizarro world?

PP here again. It's almost like you and a few other people are suggesting that the kids who've demonstrated that they're very advanced in math and have elite level achievements in math should be dismissed as the product of prepping and privilege, and the kids who've demonstrated no real aptitude or achievement in math are the kids with the true talent.